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  • Author Author: tariq.ahmad
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Program Your Own FPGA Video Game -- Episode 353

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Program Your Own FPGA Video Game

element14 Presents  |  Andy West's VCP Profile |  Project Videos

 

In this video, we learn how to make a retro-style table tennis game with an FPGA. We take a look at the DE0-Nano development board, along with Altera's Quartus II design software. We also learn about the Verilog language and dive into some code. Finally, with the help of some additional components, we interface directly with a VGA monitor and an NES game controller.

 

 

Product NameQuantity
Buy Kit

P0082 -  Development Kit, FPGA, DE0-Nano, 2x GPIO Headers, 32MB RAM, Accelerometer

1Buy Now

GS-630A -  Breadboard, ABS, 56 mm x 136 mm x 10 mm

1Buy Now

1739 -  Large Enclosed Piezo Element w/Wires

1Buy Now

OS-9975 -  Replacement NES Wired Controller

1Buy Now

Sub Connector High Density 15 Contacts Receptacle DE High Density Series Metal Body Solder

1Buy Now

826 -  Premium Female/Male Extension Jumper Wires, 40 x 6" (150mm)

1Buy Now
MC001810 -  Jumper Wire Kit, Multicolor, 2 mm - 125 mm, 22 AWG, 140 Piece1Buy Now
Female NES Controller Connector1
270 Ohm Through Hole Resistor3Buy Now

 

Click Herefor access to all the supporting files you will need to replicate this build!
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  • I liked this video so much I got a DE0-Nano this week. Is there a primer for setting up the build environment? So far, I've followed the links in the Quick Start guide which took me from altera.com to intel.com and had me register with Intel before i could download the software. 5.8GB of data later and it takes an age to install. The Control Panel tool on the DE0-Nano CD (which I had to download)  doesn't work because it can't find the Quartus installation ( which I know I installed ). Additionally, the Quartus software generates a notification that it can't contact the Altera site image

     

    I've been doing some research and I understand there are some FAQs on the TerasIC site that might address the Control Panel issue.

Comment

  • I liked this video so much I got a DE0-Nano this week. Is there a primer for setting up the build environment? So far, I've followed the links in the Quick Start guide which took me from altera.com to intel.com and had me register with Intel before i could download the software. 5.8GB of data later and it takes an age to install. The Control Panel tool on the DE0-Nano CD (which I had to download)  doesn't work because it can't find the Quartus installation ( which I know I installed ). Additionally, the Quartus software generates a notification that it can't contact the Altera site image

     

    I've been doing some research and I understand there are some FAQs on the TerasIC site that might address the Control Panel issue.

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  • in reply to ravelox

    I liked this video so much I got a DE0-Nano this week.

     

    That's awesome! As far as the complicated setup, this is a common issue among FPGA boards in general. It was a bit of trial-and-error for me as well. I'll do my best to share what I know.

     

    First, the version of Quartus II does matter. I use Quartus II 10.1sp1 Web Edition (64-bit, I think). Note that the DE0-Nano is a Cyclone IV E Family device.

     

    As you discovered, both Terasic and Altera require you to create accounts to download their software. I don't know any way around this. Altera assumes that you’re associated with a company, so if you’re a hobbyist, just fill it out the best you can.

     

    What OS are you using? When running the DE0-Nano Control Panel in Window 10 64-bit, you might get the error "quartus_pgm download fail". Check the Device Manager in the Windows Control Panel... the USB Blaster driver may be missing. Attempt to update it and point to the Quartus installation folder. You may get error "The hash for the file is not present in the specified catalog file. The file is likely corrupt or the victim of tampering." If so, disable driver signing enforcement, which is described in option 2 from this link: https://www.technipages.com/enable-disable-device-driver-signing.

     

    Again, the setup was slightly painful, but since I got it up and running I haven't had any more problems. Good luck!

  • in reply to andywest

    Thanks for the information. I'm up and running image

  • in reply to ravelox

    That's great! Enjoy your new FPGA board and let us know what cool things you create.