What is Fpga?

 FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) are electronic devices that can be programmed to perform various digital functions. They are used in a variety of applications, such as digital signal processing, video processing, and more recently, in machine learning and artificial intelligence. If you are an aspiring student or an electronics enthusiast, learning about FPGAs can be a great way to explore the world of digital design.

Audience

In this blog post, we will discuss FPGAs and their relevance for students and Audine enthusiasts. We will explore the basics of FPGAs and their potential applications. We will also look at some of the tools and resources available to help you get started with FPGAs.

What is an FPGA?

An FPGA is an electronic device that consists of a large number of programmable logic blocks. These blocks can be configured and reconfigured to perform various digital functions. FPGAs are used in a wide range of applications, including digital signal processing, video processing, and more recently, in machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Why Learn About FPGAs?

Learning about FPGAs can be a great way to explore the world of digital design. FPGAs are versatile and can be used in a variety of applications. They are also relatively easy to use, and there are many tools and resources available to help you get started.

Some of the potential benefits of learning about FPGAs include:

1. Improved Career Prospects: Knowledge of FPGAs can be a valuable asset in many industries. Companies in industries such as telecommunications, aerospace, and defense often use FPGAs in their products.

2. Increased Creativity: FPGAs offer a high degree of flexibility and can be used in a wide range of applications. This can allow you to explore your creativity and experiment with new designs.

3. Access to Advanced Technologies: FPGAs are often used in cutting-edge technologies, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence. Learning about FPGAs can give you access to these technologies and allow you to explore their potential.

Getting Started with FPGAs

If you are interested in learning about FPGAs, there are many resources available to help you get started. Here are a few tips:

1. Learn the Basics: Before diving into FPGAs, it is important to have a basic understanding of digital design. This includes knowledge of digital logic gates, Boolean algebra, and other basic concepts.

2. Choose an FPGA Development Board: There are many FPGA development boards available, each with its own features and capabilities. Choose a board that fits your needs and budget.

3. Explore FPGA Design Tools: There are many software tools available for designing and programming FPGAs. Some popular tools include Xilinx ISE, Altera Quartus, and Lattice Diamond.

4. Join a Community: There are many online communities dedicated to FPGAs and digital design. Joining a community can provide you with access to resources, support, and guidance from experienced users.

Conclusion

In conclusion, learning about FPGAs can be a great way to explore the world of digital design. FPGAs are versatile and can be used in a wide range of applications, including digital signal processing, video processing, and machine learning. There are many resources available to help you get started with FPGAs, including development boards, design tools, and online communities. Whether you are a student or an electronics enthusiast, learning about FPGAs can provide you with many benefits, including improved career prospects, increased creativity, and access to advanced technologies.

3-bit Magnitude Comparator using logic gates

3-bit Magnitude Comparator using logic gates

A 3-bit comparator which is designed using logic gates E.g.  XNOR, OR, AND etc. 

The code was tested using  a test-bench code which tested the design for all the 81 combinations of inputs.

library IEEE;
use IEEE.STD_LOGIC_1164.ALL;
use IEEE.NUMERIC_STD.ALL;

entity comparator is
port( a,b : in unsigned(2 downto 0);  --3 bit numbers that are to be compared
        a_equal_b   : out std_logic;  --a is equal to b
        a_less_b    : out std_logic;  --a is less than b
        a_greater_b : out std_logic   --a is greater than b
      );    
end comparator;

architecture gate_level of comparator is

signal w1,w2,w3,w4,w5,w6,w7,w8,w9 : std_logic := '0';

BEGIN

w1 <= not(a(2) xor b(2));  --XNOR-gate with 2 inputs.
w2 <= not(a(1) xor b(1));  --XNOR-gate with 2 inputs.
w3 <= not(a(0) xor b(0));  --XNOR-gate with 2 inputs.
w4 <= (not a(2)) and b(2);
w5 <= (not a(1)) and b(1);
w6 <= (not a(0)) and b(0);
w7 <= a(2) and (not b(2));
w8 <= a(1) and (not b(1));
w9 <= a(0) and (not b(0));

a_equal_b <= w1 and w2 and w3;  --  a is equals to b.
a_less_b <= w4 or (w1 and w5) or (w1 and w2 and w6); -- a is less than b
a_greater_b <= w7 or (w1 and w8) or (w1 and w2 and w9); -- a is greater than b

end gate_level;

Test-bench code:

LIBRARY ieee;
USE ieee.std_logic_1164.ALL;
USE ieee.numeric_std.ALL;

ENTITY t_b IS
END t_b;

ARCHITECTURE behavior OF t_b IS
   --Inputs
   signal a : unsigned(2 downto 0) := (others => '0');
   signal b : unsigned(2 downto 0) := (others => '0');
    --Outputs
   signal a_equal_b : std_logic;
   signal a_less_b : std_logic;
   signal a_greater_b : std_logic;

    signal x,y : integer;

BEGIN

   uut: entity work.comparator PORT MAP (
          a => a,
          b => b,
          a_equal_b => a_equal_b,
          a_less_b => a_less_b,
          a_greater_b => a_greater_b
        );

   stim_proc: process
   begin       
        for x in 0 to 8 loop
            for y in 0 to 8 loop
                a <= to_unsigned(x,3);
                b <= to_unsigned(y,3);
                wait for 10 ns;
            end loop;
        end loop;  
   end process;

END;