Accessing array elements using std_logic_vector (VHDL) - vhdl

Please see the code below:
....
port(
the_input: in std_logic_vector(0 to 3));
...
type dummy_array is array (0 to 2) of std_logic_vector (0 to 7);
signal ins_dummy: dummy_array := ( 8x"1", 8x"2", 8x"3");
...
Now I want to access the elements of this array using bits the_input(0 to 1). How can I do this? as I know array accepts integers as arguments, but this input is std_logic. I tried many solution available on different forums but nothing seems to be working. For example when I apply this: to_integer(unsigned(the_input(0 to 1))), result is zero.
What is happening? I don't know. Any suggestions?

Using the small testbench below, I was able to access elements of the array using the method you mentioned -> some_array(to_integer(unsigned(some_signal))).
library ieee;
use ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
use ieee.numeric_std.all;
use std.textio.all;
use ieee.std_logic_textio.all;
entity test is
end entity test;
architecture behav of test is
signal the_input : std_logic_vector(0 to 3);
signal test_sig : std_logic_vector(7 downto 0);
type dummy_array is array(0 to 2) of std_logic_vector(7 downto 0);
signal ins_dummy : dummy_array := (x"01", x"02", x"03");
begin
test_sig <= ins_dummy(to_integer(unsigned(the_input)));
process
begin
wait for 1 ns;
the_input <= "0000";
wait for 1 ns;
the_input <= "0001";
wait for 1 ns;
the_input <= "0010";
end process;
end architecture behav;
However, this is a simulation and a synthesizer may complain because the range of the port the_input is larger than the number of possible array options. You might have to add logic to ensure that the array indices which are "out of bounds" cannot be accessed. Hope that helps. Possibly try:
test_sig <= ins_dummy(to_integer(unsigned(the_input))) when (the_input < 3) else
others => '0';

Related

VHDL: big slv array slicing indexed by integer (big mux)

I want to slice a std_logic_vector in VHDL obtaining parts of it of fixed dimensions.
The general problem is:
din N*M bits
dout M bits
sel clog2(N) bits
Expected behaviour in an example (pseudocode): input 16 bit, want to slice it in 4 subvectors of 4bit each.
signal in: std_logic_vector(N*M-1 downto 0);
signal sel: integer;
-- with sel = 0
output <= in(N-1:0);
--with sel = 1 output <= in(2N-1:N)
-- with sel = 2
output <= in(3N-1:2N)
.....
--with sel = M-1
output <= in(M*N-1:(M-1)N)
I know a couples of way to do this, but I don't know which one is the best practice and give the best results in synthesis.
the entity
din: in std_logic_vector(15 downto 0);
dout: out std_logic_vector(3 downto 0);
sel: in std_logic_vecotor(1 downto 0)
CASE STATEMENT
case sel is
when "00" => dout <= din(3:0);
when "01" => dout <= din(7:4);
when "10" => dout <= din(11:8);
when "11" => dout <= din(15:12);
when others => ....`
It clearly implement a mux, but it's not generic at all and If the input gets big it's really hard to write and to codecover.
INTEGER INDEXING
sel_int <= to_integer(unsigned(sel));
dout <= din(4*(sel_int+1) - 1 downto 4*sel_int);
Extremely easy to write and to mantain, BUT it can have problems when the input is not a power of 2. For example, if I want to slice a 24bit vector in chunks of 4, what happen when the integer conversion of sel brings to the index 7?
A STRANGE TRADEOFF
sel_int <= to_integer(unsigned(sel));
for i in 0 to 4 generate
din_slice(i) <= din(4*(i+1)-1 downto 4*i);
end generate dout <= din_slice(sel_int);
I'm searching a solution that is general enough to be used with various input/output relationships and safe enough to be synthesized consistently everytime.
The Case statement is the only one with the Others case (that feels really safe), the other solutions rely on the slv to integer conversion and indexing that feels really comfortable but not so reliable.
Which solution would you use?
practical usecase
I have a 250bit std_logic_vector and I need to select 10 contigous bits inside of it starting from a certain point from 0 to 239. How can I do that in a way that is good for synthesis?
There is another option that is accepted by tools that allow VHDL 2008 (which includes Vivado and Prime Pro). You can use an unconstrained 2d type from a package:
type slv_array_t is array(natural range <>) of std_logic_vector; --vhdl 2008 unconstrained array type
then you can simply select which port you want. And it is as generic as you like.
library ieee;
use ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
use work.my_pkg.all;
entity mux is
generic (
N : natural;
M : natural
);
port (
sel : in natural;
ip : in slv_array_t (N-1 downto 0)(M-1 downto 0);
op : out std_logic_vector (M-1 downto 0);
);
end entity;
architecture rtl of mux is
begin
op <= ip(sel);
end architecture;
First you must extend the incoming data to be sure to have always as much bits as you need for connecting all multiplexer inputs (see the code below, process p_extend).
This will not create any logic at synthesis.
Second you must convert the resulting vector into an array, which you can access later by an index (see the code below, process p_create_array).
Again this will not create any logic at synthesis.
At last you must access this array by the select input signal (see the code below, process p_mux).
library ieee;
use ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
entity mux is
generic (
g_data_width : natural := 250;
g_slice_width : natural := 10;
g_sel_width : natural := 5;
g_start_point : natural := 27
);
port (
d_i : in std_logic_vector(g_data_width-1 downto 0);
sel_i : in std_logic_vector(g_sel_width-1 downto 0);
d_o : out std_logic_vector(g_slice_width-1 downto 0)
);
end entity mux;
library ieee;
use ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
use ieee.numeric_std.all;
architecture struct of mux is
signal data : std_logic_vector(g_slice_width * 2**g_sel_width-1 downto 0);
type t_std_logic_slice_array is array (natural range <>) of std_logic_vector(g_slice_width-1 downto 0);
signal mux_in : t_std_logic_slice_array (2**g_sel_width-1 downto 0);
begin
p_extend: process(d_i)
begin
for i in 0 to g_slice_width * 2**g_sel_width-1 loop
if i+g_start_point<g_data_width then
data(i) <= d_i(i+g_start_point);
else
data(i) <= '0';
end if;
end loop;
end process;
p_create_array: process (data)
begin
for i in 0 to 2**g_sel_width-1 loop
mux_in(i) <= data((i+1)*g_slice_width-1 downto i*g_slice_width);
end loop;
end process;
p_mux: d_o <= mux_in(to_integer(unsigned(sel_i)));
end architecture;

signal statement must use <= to assign value to signal

I've got this error in the expression "individuos(x):=cout" of the following code. What I'm trying to do is assign to each array of individuos a different random "cout" input sequentially. If I change the expression to "individuos <= cout", it'll asign the same "cout" to all "individuos", the same will happen if i trie to build a sequential statement with the assert function. How do I fix this?
library IEEE;
use IEEE.STD_LOGIC_1164.ALL;
use IEEE.STD_LOGIC_TEXTIO.ALL;
use ieee.numeric_std.all;
--package genetica_type is
--type genetica is array(0 to 49) of unsigned(7 downto 0);
--type fitness is array(0 to 49) of unsigned (2 downto 0);
--end package genetica_type;
use work.genetica_type.all;
entity conexao is
Port (
clk : in bit;
cout: in unsigned (7 downto 0);
individuos: out genetica
);
end entity;
architecture Behavioral of conexao is
--type genetica is array (0 to 49) of std_logic_vector (7 downto 0);
--signal s_individuos : genetica;
--signal i: genetica;
begin
process (clk)
begin
If (clk 'event and clk = '1') then
for x in 0 to 49 loop
individuos(x) := cout;
end loop;
end if ;
end process;
end Behavioral;
I've got this error in the expression "individuos(x):=cout" of the following code.
That is a syntax error. Use <= exactly as the compiler says.
What I'm trying to do is assign to each array of individuos a different random "cout" input sequentially. If I change the expression to "individuos <= cout", it'll asign the same "cout" to all "individuos"
That is exactly what you ask it to do :
If (clk 'event and clk = '1') then
for x in 0 to 49 loop
individuos(x) <= cout;
end loop;
end if ;
On every rising clock edge, loop 50x performing 50 assignments, each of the same data, to all 50 addresses.
What I think you want to do, is, on every clock, perform ONE assignment, and increment the address to point to the next location.
signal x : natural range 0 to individuos'high;
...
if rising_edge(clk) then
individuos(x) <= cout;
x <= x + 1 mod individuos'length;
end if;
This code has several other differences from yours:
It uses the simpler rising_edge(clk) function
It will still work when you change the size of the input array.
It still has a bug : if you change the array lower bound to something other than 0, it will fail... for example:
type genetica is array(3 to 49) of ...
Easy to catch this with an assert:
Assert individuos'low = 0 report "Array Individuos bound error" severity failure;
It also runs continuously. If you want to start and stop it, or reset the address counter, or stop when it reaches 50, that takes additional logic.

VHDL Counter Error (vcom-1576)

guys im trying to code a simple counter in VHDL but i always get this error:
Error: C:/Users/usrname/dir1/dir2/dir3/counter.vhd(22): near "rising_edge": (vcom-1576) expecting == or '+' or '-' or '&'.
Here is my Code:
library ieee;
use ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
use ieee.numeric_std.all;
entity counter is
port (
EXT_RST : in std_logic;
EXT_CLK : in std_logic;
EXT_LED : out std_logic_vector(7 downto 0)
);
end counter;
architecture fast of counter is
signal count : std_logic_vector(7 downto 0);
begin
process(EXT_CLK, count)
begin
if (EXT_RST = '1') then
count <= "00000000";
elseif rising_edge(EXT_CLK) then
count <= count + '1';
end if;
end process;
EXT_LED <= count;
end fast;
Has anyone an idea why im getting this error?
Besides the elsif Lars Asplund suggested using in his comment use type conversions for `count:
count <= std_logic_vector(unsigned(count) + 1);
or use package numeric_std_unsigned (VHDL -2008 only) instead of numeric_std.
Notice the 1 instead of '1' and type conversions. Those aren't needed with numeric_std_unsigned which has a "+" adding operator function with this signature:
[STD_ULOGIC_VECTOR,STD_ULOGIC return STD_ULOGIC_VECTOR]
Using package numeric_std you can also make count an unsigned instead of std_logic_vector and convert for the LED assignment -
EXT_LED <= std_logic_vector(count);
Also, count doesn't need to be in the process sensitivity list:
process(EXT_CLK)
There are no assignments in the process where the value of count is used except on the clock edge.
Modifying your code with the first suggestion and indenting (which helps show the sensitivity list doesn't need count:
library ieee;
use ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
use ieee.numeric_std.all;
entity counter is
port (
EXT_RST : in std_logic;
EXT_CLK : in std_logic;
EXT_LED : out std_logic_vector(7 downto 0)
);
end counter;
architecture fast of counter is
signal count : std_logic_vector(7 downto 0);
begin
process(EXT_CLK)
begin
if (EXT_RST = '1') then
count <= "00000000";
elsif rising_edge(EXT_CLK) then
count <= std_logic_vector(unsigned(count) + 1);
end if;
end process;
EXT_LED <= count;
end fast;
This analyzes, elaborates and will simulate.
This prompts the question of how EXT_RST and EXT_CLK are derived should you actually synthesize your design. If they are from buttons (particularly the clock), debounce could be necessary even with membrane switches which can age and later bounce.

VHDL Code: Illegal type conversion converting std_logic_vector

I am trying to be multiply the values in the line:
Q<= unsigned(reg_output) or (unsigned(multiplicand) and unsigned(shifted_lsb)*"0010");
note: I know multiplicand is a std_logic_vector, I did this for comparison via the if's.
Everytime I compile I get the error:
Illegal type conversion from ieee.std_logic_1164.STD_LOGIC to ieee.NUMERIC_STD.UNSIGNED (non-numeric to array).
here is my code below:
library ieee;
use ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
use ieee.numeric_std.all;
entity shiftaddr is
port(
clk, clear : in std_logic;
multiplicand: in std_logic_vector(3 downto 0);
reg_output: in unsigned(7 downto 0);
shifted_lsb: in std_logic;
Q: out unsigned(7 downto 0) );
end shiftaddr;
architecture arch of shiftaddr is
signal temp: std_logic_vector(3 downto 0);
begin
shift: process(clk,clear,multiplicand, shifted_lsb,reg_output) --Define a process and state the inputs
begin
if (clk = '0') then
Q <= reg_output;
end if;
if (clk = '1') then
if (multiplicand(0) = '1') then Q <= (reg_output);
end if;
if (multiplicand(1) = '1') then
Q<= unsigned(reg_output) or (unsigned(multiplicand) and unsigned(shifted_lsb)*"0010");
end if;
end if;
end process;
end arch;
How do I go about fixing this? Thanks
The problem comes from:
unsigned(shifted_lsb)*"0010"
shifted_lsb is not a vector, you cannot convert it to unsigned which is a vector type. As suggested by Khanh N. Dang you could just test its value instead.
But your code is probably bogus: your sensitivity list is not that of a synchronous process while one of your signals is named clk. Moreover, if you want your process to be a synchronous one you will have a problem because you are using both states of the clock. You should probably:
indent your code so that we can read it without too much effort,
think hardware first: if you have a clear idea of the hardware you want (registers, adders, multiplexers...), coding usually becomes very easy,
read again the part of your text book about synchronous processes.

Dynamic Arrray Size in VHDL

I want to use dynamic range of array , so using "N" for converting an incoming vector signal to integer. Using the specifc incoming port "Size" gives me an error, while fixed vector produces perfect output.
architecture EXAMPLE of Computation is
signal size :std_logic_vector (7 downto 0);
process (ACLK, SLAVE_ARESETN) is
variable N: integer:=conv_integer ("00000111") ; ---WORKING
--variable N: integer:=conv_integer (size) ; -- Not working
type memory is array (N downto 0 ) of std_logic_vector (31 downto 0 );
variable RAM :memory;
Only reason to do this type of coding is send as much data as possible to FPGA .As I need to send Data from DDR to Custom IP via DMA in vivado may be more than 100 MB. so kindly guide me if I am trying to implement in wrong way as stated above.
You can't do that in VHDL. What kind of hardware would be generated by your code? If you don't know, the synthesizer won't either.
The way to do this kind of thing is to set N to the largest value you want to support, and use size in your logic to control your logic appropriately. It's difficult to give more pointers without more information, but as an example, you could use a counter to address your ram, and have it reset when it's greater than size.
Update
Here's a counter example. You have to make sure that size doesn't change while operating or it will fall into an unknown state. A real design should have reset states to ensure correct behaviour.
library ieee;
use ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
use ieee.numeric_std.all;
entity example is
port (
clk : std_logic;
rst : in std_logic;
size : in unsigned(7 downto 0);
wr : in std_logic;
din : in std_logic_vector(31 downto 0)
);
end entity;
architecture rtl of example is
signal counter : unsigned(7 downto 0);
type ram_t is array(0 to 255) of std_logic_vector(31 downto 0);
signal ram : ram_t;
begin
RAM_WR: process(clk)
begin
if rising_edge(clk) then
if rst = '1' then
counter <= (others => '0');
else
if wr = '1' then
ram(to_integer(counter)) <= din;
if counter = size then
counter <= (others => '0');
else
counter <= counter + 1;
end if;
end if;
end if;
end if;
end process RAM_WR;
end architecture rtl;
I believe you can only have a generic an array constraint in a process. Otherwise, the compiler cannot elaborate.
In a function or procedure, you can have truly variable array bounds.

Resources