Why this course?

Description

This course is focused on VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) design. It covers a range of topics, from digital electronics and Verilog programming to working with FPGA hardware and implementing projects using the MAX10 FPGA board. This course will provide both theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to design and implement digital systems.

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Course Overview: (13 hours 22 minutes)

• Total Duration: 13 hours 22 minutes and 51 seconds
• Total Sessions: 41
• Suggested Time to Complete: 21 days (approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour per day)

This course is structured to gradually guide you through VLSI, FPGA concepts, and Verilog programming with a focus on practical implementation. Key learning areas include:

• Digital electronics and circuits
• FPGA development, using the MAX10 board
• Verilog programming for digital logic
• Real-time communication protocols and hardware implementation

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Project Overview:

Throughout the course, you will work on the following projects:

1. Off-chip project: Real-time working with UART-RX (Receiver) and UART-TX (Transmitter) communication protocols
   • Implement communication protocols on the MAX10 FPGA.
2. Implementation of digital circuits using Verilog
   • Design combination and sequential circuits, shift registers, and finite state machines (FSMs) using Verilog and simulate them on FPGA hardware.

These hands-on projects will help you understand the entire FPGA workflow, from coding in Verilog to deploying the design on hardware.

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Tools Covered:

1. Intel Quartus – FPGA development and programming tool.
2. MAX10 FPGA Board – A low-cost FPGA board used to implement digital designs.
3. Verilog – A hardware description language used for designing and simulating digital systems.
4. JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) – A standard for programming and debugging FPGA boards.

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Skills Required:

• Basic Knowledge of Digital Electronics – Familiarity with concepts like logic gates, flip-flops, and counters.
• Understanding of Verilog – Experience with hardware description languages will be helpful but not required.
• Basic FPGA Knowledge – Some experience with FPGAs and their use in digital design.
• Programming and Simulation Skills – Ability to write code and simulate designs.

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Day 1:

• Introduction to VLSI

Day 2:

• Introduction to FPGA

Day 3:

• Tool Installation - Intel Quartus

Day 4:

• Introduction to MAX10 FLK FPGA Board

Day 5:

• Digital Electronics

Day 6:

• Combination Switching Circuits & Logic Gates

Day 7:

• Flip-Flop Functionalities & Working

Day 8:

• Registers - Functionalities & Working

Day 9:

• Counters & Digital Memories

Day 10:

• Introduction to Verilog

Day 11:

• Three Modelling Styles in Verilog - Gate-level, Dataflow, and Behavioural

Day 12:

• Combination Circuits

Day 13:

• Sequential Circuits - Latches with Verilog

Day 14:

• Sequential Circuits - Flip-Flops with Verilog

Day 15:

• Shift Registers with Verilog

Day 16:

• Finite State Machine - Moore with Verilog Code

Day 17:

• Finite State Machine - Mealy with Verilog Code

Day 18:

• Implementation - MAX10 FPGA FLK Flash Using JTAG

Day 19:

• Controlling MAX10 FPGA Flash FLK Board's GPIOs

Day 20:

• Off-chip Project: Real-time Working with Communication Protocol - UART-RX

Day 21:

• Off-chip Project: Real-time Working with Communication Protocol - UART-TX