Learn to Program Logical Circuits in an FPGA Using Quartus Prime Light Edition

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Setting Up the Project
3. Creating the Entity and Port Declarations
4. Designing the Architecture
5. Compiling and Simulating the Program
6. Visualizing the Logic Gates
7. Validating the Test Bench
8. Programming the FPGA
9. Assigning Pins and testing Outputs
10. Conclusion

Introduction

👋 Hello everyone! My name is Anle Habit and today I'm going to explain how to program and modulate basic logical circuits using the FPGA DE10-Lite from Intel and the Quartus Prime Light Edition software. Let's dive right in!

Setting Up the Project

To start, we need to create a new project or open a recent project that we have made. Once the project is open, we select the logic gate option in the Navigator panel. This will be the name of our project. In this case, let's call it "Logic Gates". We also need to select the correct FPGA device, which is the Intel FPGA DE10-Lite board.

Creating the Entity and Port Declarations

Now we need to create the entity and the port declarations. In the VHDL code, we introduce the necessary libraries, such as "ieee.std_logic_1164" for logical and arithmetic operations. We declare the input and output ports for each logic gate we want to use. For example, for an AND gate, we have one input (X) and one output (Y). We continue this way for each logic gate.

Designing the Architecture

Next, we declare the architecture. In this case, we will use a behavioral architecture. We sync this architecture with the port declaration. We assign the logical or arithmetic operations to the output port using the reserved WORD "assign". For example, for the AND gate, we use the "&" operator and assign it to the output port.

Compiling and Simulating the Program

Before running the program, we need to compile it. We can do this by going to the Processing Options and selecting "Start Compilation". Alternatively, we can use the shortcut Ctrl + L. The compilation process may take some time, so we need to be patient. Once The Simulation is finished, we can proceed to the port assignment.

Visualizing the Logic Gates

To validate our program, we can use the netlist viewer option. This allows us to Visualize the logic operations that the program is performing. We can see the circuit Diagram and ensure that everything is correctly scripted. This step helps us validate the simulation.

Validating the Test Bench

To validate the test bench, we need to go to the Library Compiler option in the tools menu. Here, we validate that the model of our FPGA is correctly selected. We also validate that the test bench is correctly created. This ensures that our simulation accurately represents the behavior of the circuit.

Programming the FPGA

To program the FPGA, we need to connect the DE10-Lite board to the computer using the USB Blaster. Once connected, we go to the Tools menu and select the Programmer option. We choose the FPGA model and start the programming process. Once the progress bar shows success, we can see that the board is programmed.

Assigning Pins and Testing Outputs

To assign the output ports to the peripherals, such as LEDs or switches, we use the Assignments menu and select the Pin Planner. Here, we can see the schematic view of the board and assign the output pins to the desired locations. For example, we can assign the LED outputs to specific pins. We can also assign the input pins to switches. Once assigned, we can test the outputs by changing the input states and observing the changes in the LEDs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, programming and modulating basic logical circuits using an FPGA can be a complex but rewarding process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can successfully create and simulate logic gates, visualize the circuit, validate the test bench, program the FPGA, and assign pins for testing outputs. With practice and further exploration, you can expand your knowledge of FPGA programming and create even more complex circuits.

That's it for this article! Stay tuned for the next video, where I will explain how to design a multiplexer using the internal design tools. Happy coding!

Highlights:

• Learn how to program and modulate basic logical circuits using an FPGA
• Use the Quartus Prime Light Edition software and the DE10-Lite board
• Create entities, port declarations, and architectures for various logic gates
• Compile, simulate, and visualize the logic operations
• Validate the test bench and program the FPGA
• Assign pins and test the outputs
• Expand your knowledge of FPGA programming

FAQ:

Q: What software and hardware do I need to program logical circuits using an FPGA? A: You will need the Quartus Prime Light Edition software from Intel and an FPGA development board such as the DE10-Lite.

Q: How do I validate the test bench and ensure accurate simulations? A: You can use the Library Compiler option in the tools menu and validate the model of your FPGA. Additionally, you can use the netlist viewer to visualize the logic operations.

Q: Can I assign the output ports to different peripherals? A: Yes, you can use the Assignments menu and the Pin Planner to assign the output ports to peripherals such as LEDs or switches.

Resources:

• Quartus Prime Light Edition
• DE10-Lite Development Board