Hi Bob (& others),
Once you get into it, you'll probably find that FPGA programming is not that difficult, and, given the power of the tools, can be much less frustrating than straight digital design.
I was dragged into the Verilog world a few years ago for work, and have been using the Altera tools exclusively (initially MaxPlusII, and now Quartus). I'll admit that I'm not expert on the tools, but the Quartus environment supplies me with all I need, and I haven't had the need (yet) to learn other tools or techniques (including Test Benches).
You'll find that being able to simulate your designs on the computer (with Quartus) is a huge plus. Functional simulations are timing-diagram driven - you "draw" your inputs, press a "button", and the tool will plot the outputs you've selected. Makes the debug process *much* faster.
And Altera's SignalTapII feature, which allows you to "create" a logic analyzer within a part that's powered-up and running so that you can monitor its internal operation, is invaluable when working with BGA parts & buried traces. However - it requires a JTAG interface to the part and a special interface module (I'm using Altera's "USB-Blaster). But if you aren't working with a BGA part, you don't have to use SignalTap. In the past, when I didn't have SignalTap to use, I'd write special code to route "selected" internal signals to unused (or seldomly-used) I/O pins so that I could monitor them with test equipment.
Anyway - please consider me a resource as you start to work on your projects. Again, I'm no expert (not by any stretch of the imagination), but I have written Verilog code for a few projects, and I have used the Altera tools (which can be obscure at times), so I might be able to lend a hand if someone
runs into a stumbling block.
(By the way - Quartus has an "archive" feature that allows convenient passing of a Project from one person to another).
73,
- Jeff, WA6AHL
Steve Nance <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Steve Nance <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Lyle,
Speaking for all us newbie's, thanks for the FPGA overview and run down on
resources. Looks like we have a lot of reading/research to do to learn about
the FPGAs and related hardware and software.
As you mentioned my background was also in discrete TTL logic hardware
designs and I can see a different mindset is required for today's devices.
Looks like a lot of work, but what fun.
73,
Steve - K5FR
