VHDL course for Engineers- VHDL tutorials

VHDL is a hardware description language that is used for modeling digital systems at many levels of abstraction. In this VHDL course, we will learn the basics of the HDL, syntax of the language, and various modeling styles. We will also design basic as well as complex combinational and sequential circuits using VHDL. In addition to that, we will learn how to test our encoded systems using test benches.

Course content

VHDL design units – Syntax of a VHDL program

In this article, we will take a look at some elements of the VHDL language that are commonly used across all implementations. These elements give shape and format to your program. Some of these are essential to the functioning of your design. These basic elements make up the complete fundamental basis of VHDL syntax. VHDL […]

What is VLSI? And what are the job opportunities for a VLSI student?

Get introduced to the exciting world of VLSI and chip design, get to know its applications, scope and get an overview of the course structure.

Data Types in VHDL

Data types are an important language element. You’ll notice in this course that we use a lot of different kinds of data. For example, a single bit, multiple streams of bits, boolean, etc. To understand and classify them, data types are necessary. In this post, you’ll see the different types of data that VHDL is capable of handling. We will understand the need and working of each data type along with the proper syntax to implement them.

Dataflow modeling architecture in VHDL

VHDL offers us three models of describing a digital circuit. Dataflow is the first and the easiest of the three modeling styles (or architecture). In this style of modeling a digital circuit using VHDL, we just need to show the flow of data from input to output. That’s generally done using a simple formula that gives the output in terms of the input. But hang on! There’s a bit more to it in terms of syntax, data types, and the statements that you can use. Check it all out in this post.

Behavioral modeling architecture in VHDL

The second modeling style available to describe digital circuits is known as behavioral modeling style or architecture. This one’s a bit more complex than dataflow. But it is also the most powerful among the three styles. In other words, it is the highest abstraction layer for designing a circuit using an HDL. Here, we describe a circuit in terms of its behavior. Now that’s exciting because it needs you to really know the circuit you’ll be designing. Let’s check out how to use this modeling style in this post.

Structural modeling architecture in VHDL

The third modeling style is absolutely easy to understand. Structural modeling is an excellent choice for modular design. It’s also great for larger circuits. You can reuse smaller components by simply connecting them to each other. Let’s take a look at how it’s done.

Operators in VHDL – Easy explanation

Any language comes with own set of permissible operations. Here are the ones that you can use in VHDL. This post is a systematic representation of all the operators in VHDL with brief descriptions and easy to understand examples of their applications. The usage of operators is an important fundamental concept to understand.

Testbenches in VHDL – A complete guide with steps

A testbench is an HDL code that is written to test the circuit you designed using the same HDL. It is an important step in the chip design process after performing which you can proceed to the next step. In this post, we will understand the importance of writing testbenches, their types, syntax, and also take up some examples.

VHDL code for all logic gates using dataflow method – full code and explanation

A complete line by line explanation, implementation and the VHDL code for all logic gates using the dataflow architecture.

VHDL code for half adder & full adder using dataflow method – full code & explanation

In this next post, we will understand and the VHDL code for half adder & full adder using the dataflow architecture.

VHDL code for full subtractor & half subtractor using dataflow method – full code & explanation

A complete line by line explanation and the VHDL code for full subtractor & half subtractor using the dataflow architecture.

VHDL code for multiplexer using dataflow method – full code and explanation

A complete line by line explanation, implementation and the VHDL code for multiplexer using the dataflow architecture and select statements.

VHDL code for demultiplexer using dataflow method – full code & explanation

Next up we will write the VHDL code for demultiplexer using the dataflow architecture and select statements. We will code the 1:2 and 1:4 demultiplexer.

VHDL code for an encoder using dataflow method – full code and explanation

Two different methods of writing the VHDL code for an encoder using the dataflow architecture. We will be coding the encoder using equations & truth tables.

VHDL code for decoder using dataflow method – full code and explanation

Next up, let’s write the VHDL code for avdecoder using the dataflow architecture. We will be programming a 2:4 decoder.

VHDL code for full adder using behavioral method – full code & explanation

A complete line by line explanation and the VHDL code for full adder using behavioral architecture method. We will be using the if-else logic in this code.

VHDL code for half subtractor using behavioral method – full code & explanation

Programming the half subtractor in VHDL using behavioral architecture with if-else-if commands.

VHDL code for full subtractor using behavioral method – full code & explanation

A complete line by line explanation and the VHDL code for full subtractor using behavioral architecture method. We will be using the if-elsif logic in this code.

VHDL code for a 2-bit multiplier – All modeling styles

A complete line by line explanation of the VHDL code for a 2-bit multiplier using all the three modeling styles.

VHDL code for comparator using behavioral method – full code and explanation

In this tutorial, we will use the case statement of the behavioral architecture to write the VHDL code for comparators.

VHDL code for multiplexer using behavioral method – full code and explanation

A complete explanation, implementation and the VHDL code for a 4:1 multiplexer using behavioral architecture and if-else statements.

VHDL code for demultiplexer using behavioral method – full code & explanation

A complete line by line explanation, implementation and the VHDL code for demultiplexer using behavioral architecture and if-elsif statements.

VHDL code for an encoder using behavioral method – full code and explanation

A full explanation of using the truth tables to write the VHDL code for a 4:2 encoder using the behavioral method.

VHDL code for decoder using behavioral method – full code and explanation

Now we will program the same decoder using VHDL case statements and the behavioral architecture.

VHDL code for flip-flops using behavioral method – full code

A complete line by line explanation of the VHDL code for flip-flops using the behavioral architecture. We will be coding SR, JK, T, and D flip-flops.

VHDL code for synchronous counters: Up, down, up-down (Behavioral)

A complete line by line explanation and the VHDL code for synchronous counters using the behavioral architecture. We will be programming 4-bit counters.

VHDL code for full adder using structural method – full code and explanation

Next up, we will write the VHDL code for a full adder using the structural architecture modeling style using two half adders and an OR gate.

VHDL code for EXOR using NAND & structural method – full code & explanation

A complete line by line explanation, implementation and the VHDL code for EXOR using NAND. We will use structural architecture.

VHDL code for a priority encoder – All modeling styles

Description of a 4:2 priority encoder using dataflow, behavioral & structural modeling styles in VHDL. Along with a detailed explanation, RTL schematics & waveforms.

VHDL code for ALU (1-bit) using structural method – full code and explanation

A complete line by line explanation, implementation and the VHDL code for a 1-bit Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) using the structural modeling architecture.

VHDL Quiz | MCQs | Interview Questions

This VHDL quiz is designed to test a wide array of concepts that a designer is expected to be familiar with. We’ve already covered these topics in this free VHDL course. The questions will test your ability to recall important language elements and their applications. Clear this quiz to gain access to the final certification test. Please ensure that you are signed in before attempting the quiz.

More details

What will you learn in this VHDL course?

  • Get adept at the various modeling styles for implementing digital logic using VHDL.
  • Implement common combinational and synchronous and asynchronous sequential circuits using VHDL.
  • Write test benches to verify the design.

What is the target of this course?

This course is part of the VLSI track. We have designed this track to equip learners with the basic demands and requirements of entry-level jobs/internships in the field of frontend or backend VLSI design.

Are there any software or hardware requirements for this course?

Yes. For software, we strongly recommend Vivado. It is a heavy programming environment but at the same time, it is a standard one. In addition to that, you can also use it for FPGA prototyping. If you are not comfortable with Vivado, you can opt for GHDL, an open-source simulator with support for up to the 2002 IEEE 1076 VHDL standard.

For hardware, it is optional to use an FPGA board for this course. If you’d like to use one to adopt a more hands-on approach, we recommend the Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA board, or the Altera Cyclone II mini-FPGA board, or the Xilinx Spartan 3E FPGA development board.

Are there any pre-requisites for this course?

How many quizzes are there in this course?

One

What’s the course structure like?

  • Syntax and design elements
  • Different modeling styles
    • Dataflow modeling
    • Behavioral modeling
    • Structural modeling
  • Operators
  • How to write a testbench?
  • Verilog coding of digital circuits
    • Logic gates
    • Multiplexers
    • Demultiplexers
    • Encoder
    • Priority Encoder
    • Decoders
    • Comparators
    • Flip-flops
    • Counters
    • Shift-registers
    • Adders
    • Subtractors
  • Quiz 1
  • Certification test (Coming soon)

I would like to suggest some topics to be covered, how can I do that?

You can visit the contact page linked in the footer of this webpage. Just select “Suggest Topics” from the subject dropdown menu of the form, mention the course and why you think your suggestion makes sense to be part of the curriculum.