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  • Author Author: msimon
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My Verilog Diary - 0 : Introduction

msimon

I want to improve my skills on FPGA design so I decided to cover Verilog/System Verilog from scratch. I believe one of the best methods of learning is teaching, therefore, I will have a diary of my progress. Hopefully, it will help other community members too.

 

What I have planned to do is start from the very beginning of Verilog to go deep topics as long as I go. Not only cover the syntax of the language but also mention digital design methods I need to implement that subject and FPGA implementation of the task. I know it is very time-consuming and there will be always something prevents me to write but I will do my best to write weekly posts.

 

I will be using Verilog HDL - A Guide to Digital Design and Synthesis written by Samir Palnitkar. I will be happy if you suggest books you like so learners can buy them.

 

Currently, I have DE0-Nano board (thanks to Element14 roadtest). I think it is sufficient for covering many subjects. If you have any suggestion I am happy to listen to you image

 

You can follow all the articles related to my verilog diary by searching my_verilog_diary or coming to this post. I will update this post if there is an update.

 

My Verilog Diary - 1: Modules and Ports

  • in reply to djfraz

    Hi Duncan,

     

    Thanks for the recommendation. Michael also recommended that book. I will check that one and buy it. From programmer's perspective, HDL languages are strange. But, I can understand that because the nature of the jobs are different and we basically design a hardware rather than a software. It sometimes makes me crazy ut hopefully I will get used to HDLimage

    Thanks,

    Mehmet

  • in reply to michaelkellett

    Thank you

     

    I have the second edition which is published in 2003 and the book is solely based on Verilog. But, I will be looking for the System Verilog also on the internet so that I can learn the new things on the language. Your recommended book Verilog by Example looks interesting, I will check it.

     

    I will start PhD in November and the group I will be joining using Verilog. That is why I decided to learn it. I know I can still design in VHDL and EDA tools combine both languages but working on the same language will be beneficial for collaboration with others.

     

    Thanks,

    Mehmet

  • Sounds really interesting. I know, from experience, that Verilog/HDL can be a strange subject for programmers.

     

    One book which i found very useful when learning verilog for university was Verilog by example: a concise introduction to FPGA Design by Blaine Readler. It focues on designing digital system, such as memory and other digital design systems by it is a good read and relatively cheap.

  • in reply to msimon

    I had a quick Google for the book you are using and couldn't find any edition later than 2003.

     

    Which edition have you got ?

     

    The System Verilog standard was not released until 2009 so I doubt that any book published before 2011 on the subject is worth reading.

     

    I'm not a Verilog expert (I prefer VHDL) but I understand that there were significant changes between 2003 and 2009.

     

    I've got:

     

    Verilog by Example, Blaine C Readler, first published 2011, short, cheap (£15.50 on Amazon) and simple, aimed at FPGA, not  a bad start

    Verilog Quick Start, 3rd Edition, James M Lee, 2002, expensive, not a bad book but dated, beware 2013 paperback which is  a reprint of the 1997 edition !!

    System Verilog Golden Reference Guide, Doulos, 2012 (there may be  a later edition), cheap for what it is, not a tutorial

     

    If you can afford it consider buying Verilog by Example, otherwise use free stuff on the web, but beware - a LOT of what you will read is just plain wrong, and a lot will be dated or bad practice.

     

    Out of interest (I'm not trying to persuade you to change your mind) why did you decide to learn Verilog  (rather than VHDL)?

     

    MK

  • in reply to jc2048

    Hi ,

     

    Thanks for sharing your experience image You, are right doing is a great learning practice, I will try to implement projects on board as long as I can.

     

    Thanks for the VHDL suggestion. I think some books are written by vendors to increase their profitability but I think it is not a big problem. HDL is independent of vendor there are some vendor-specific tricks and EDA tools can be different but the main design is the same. Thanks for your suggestion there may be people who interested in VHDL rather than Verilog.

     

    Thanks,

    Mehmet