TRON08014 2019 Programmable Logic Technology

Research and report on the main features of FPGAs and/or other programmable technologies available in the market today.

Describe and compare various architectures of modern FPGAs.

Develop an awareness of typical applications of FPGAs and other programmable technologies.

Use a design environment to perform simulation and synthesis solutions to various VHDL programs

Develop, implement and test logic solutions to prescribed logic problems using VHDL

Lectures

Laboratory exercises

Group Mini-project

Written report

Group Presentation

Lab exercies / simulation exercises

This is a 60% final exam.  If CA was unable to be completed for valid reasons during the semester, the lecture may, at his/her discretion may assign CA work.

Introduction to FPGA's: Fundamental Concepts, The Origin of FPGA's, Alternative Architectures, The Vendors.

Examination of ASICs and uses in the electronics industry.  How they differ from FPGAs

Programming/Configuring FPGA's.

FPGA Design Tools: Simulation, Synthesis, Verification.

Introduction to VHDL.

Basic Language Concepts: Simulation and Synthesis.

Modelling Behaviour: Simulation, Synthesis and Structure.

Subprograms, Packages and Libraries.

Identifiers, Data Types and Operators.

Sequential Statements.

Indicative Practicals/Projects

Research and report on an application of an FPGA in the commercial world.

Various lab exercises using FPGA target board and Xilinx/Altera software to simulate/synthesize Combinational Logic Functions, Sequential Logic Functions, State Machines, etc.

Use of Altera Quartus II to synthesise and simulate FPGA solutions

Research group mini-project on a specific feature of FPGA - PPT presentation by group at end of module.