is there any way to Simulate DCM in ISIM? - fpga

I have a DCM with different clock outputs which is working fine in real FPGA implementation, but could not see any input while simulate this DCM in Xilinx ISIM. Can we simulate DCM in ISIM testbench? Is there any trick?
Regards

It should work, make sure that simulation is running and wait enough time.

Related

How to work with DDR in synthesizeable Verilog/VHDL?

I am working on implementing a DDR SDRAM controller for a class and am not allowed to use the Xilinx MIG core.
After thrashing with the design, I am currently working synchronously to my system clock at 100MHz and creating a divided signal "clock" (generated using a counter) that is sent out on the IO pins to DDR SDRAM. I have some logic that feeds me the "rising" edge strobes of this signal clock as I am aware that I cannot use a signal to clock a process. However, this divided clock method runs very slow and I have concerns that I am not meeting the minimum required frequency of the external DDR SDRAM. I am hoping to speed up my read/write bursts, but to do so, my spartan3e will struggle with anything higher than 100MHz. After looking around online, I found this code from EDA Board:
process(Input_Clk,Reset_Control)
begin
if (Reset_Control = '1') then
Output_Data <= (others => '0');
elsif rising_edge(Input_Clk) then
Output_Data <= Input_Data1;
elsif falling_edge(Input_Clk) then
Output_Data <= Input_Data2;
end if;
end process ;
I have written a lot of VHDL, but have never seen something like this before. I'm sure this works fine in simulation, but it doesn't look synthesizable to me. The poster said this should be supported by 1076.6-2004. Does this infer two flip-flops, one clocked on the rising edge and one on the falling edge whose outputs both feed into a 2:1 mux? Does Xilinx support this? I want to avoid having to instantiate a DCM as crossing these clock domains will definitely slow me down and will add undesired complexity. Is there a way to safely generate my DDR data that is being sent to and received from DDR SDRAM without the Xilinx primitive for the MIG? How would I perform the receiving of DDR data in Verilog?
For reference, we have to code in Verilog, so I'm not too sure on how to translate that VHDL process to a Verilog always block if it is synthesizable. We are using the Micron MT46V32M16 if that is relevant.
Here are the timing diagrams for what I am trying to replicate:
I would say that implementing a DDR controller 'for class' is rather challenging. In the companies I worked for they where left for senior engineers to build.
First about the Verilog code shown:
Yes, you are right that can not be synthesized.
The approach to double-clocking inputs is to have two data paths. One on the rising edge and one on the falling edge. In a second stage the two are put in parallel but with double the data width. Thus a 32-bit wide DDR produces 64 data bits per 'system' clock.
More difficult is to clock the arriving data at the right time. As your read diagram shows the data arrives in the middle of the clock edge. For that you need a delayed clock. In an ASIC that is done using a 'tune-able' delay line which is calibrated at start-up and regularly checked for the phase. In an FPGA that would requires some esoteric logic.
I have not been close to DDRs chips for a while, but I think all the modern ones (DDR2 and up?), output a clock themselves to help with the read data.
Also after you have clocked the read data in, using that shifted clock, you have to get the data back to the system clock which requires an asynchronous FIFO.
I hope that gets you started.

How to use an osciloscope with a FPGA using Vhdl

Any of you have any material about this?
I want to show an std_logic_vector(0 to 29) on the osciloscope
That's 30 bits ... you don't want to probe 30 pins.
I'd use 2 spare pins and roll a simple serial interface off a suitable (e.g. 1 MHz) clock and a /32 counter.
One pin shifts out each bit according to the count, the other is set when you send the first bit, as a convenient triggering signal.
Either let it free run, or tell it to start (inside the FPGA) every time you update that signal.
Most FPGA vendors provide some kind of in-system debugger (like ChipScope for Xilinx ISE designs). These provide a very powerful debugging perspective for your FPGA design and allow you to record waveforms on hundreds of signals.

VHDL simulation what is the correct delta?

I am currently implementing a MUX, and to test this I've created a generator and a monitor to well generate data as input and monitor its output.
The MUX takes Avalon Streaming interface as input and output and therefor also supports back pressure.
My question is. My test bench run on falling edge while my DUT and input data is generate at rising edge. Both my input clock and my input data is generated at Delta cycle 0. However my back pressure ready signal returning from the DUT and which controls the generator is set at Delta 3. Now this gives some sampling problems because the DUT must only load data every time data from the generator (at delta 0) is valid and the DUT ready is valid (The back pressure signal at Delta 3).
Now if I skew my DUT input clock with 1 ps it fixes the problem. But it feels like that is the wrong approach. What is the correct design principle here. ?
Skew the clock 1 ps or at least move it 4 deltas so i make sure all my signals have been set before rising_edge ?
or
Move the data I generate so it aligns with the DUT output ready signal ?
or
Is it just a decision made from test bench to test bench ?
I've also thought that a clock in a test bench should be generated at delta 0 and everything else must come after.
I am simulating in Riviera-pro
You have various choices:
i) Make everything synchronous. In other words, drive the inputs and sample the outputs on the same edge of the clock as the DUT uses. Afterall, the DUT doesn't suffer any race problems, so if you just extend the clocking strategy to the testbench, everything will work fine. At RTL, but not at gate-level. So if you're doing gate-level sims (which you should be), then this strategy is no good for that.
ii) Clock everything in your testbench off the opposite edge of the clock to the edge the DUT uses. Again, fine for RTL, but whether fine for gate-level depends on the delays through your design.
iii) Drive the inputs to the DUT just after the clock edge and sample the DUT outputs just before it. The clock edge being the edge that the DUT uses. Again, this is fine for RTL, at is the most robust for gate-level, too.
iv) Implement realistic timing for each DUT interface. That ought to work for RTL and gate-level and if it doesn't work for gate-level then the fault is with the DUT not the testbench.

How to generate a 78MHz clock

I own a Digilent Nexys2 and I'm coding in VHDL, using Xilinx ISE ide.
I have to generate a very specific clock for my purpose, using the onboard DCM:
starting from a base clock of 50MHz, duty cycle = 50%, I need a 78MHz, duty cycle = 70%, output clock.
The main problem is that I didn't noticed any option to control the output duty cycle or other related things using the wizard. Am I missing something? Is there any solution or work around?
thanks in advance for your help
IMHO, it's not possible with the Spartan 3E (DCM). With other components, e.g. the Kintex7 with the MMCME2_ADV, it is possible.

How to convert 24MHz and 12MHz clock to 8MHz clock using VHDL?

I am writing a code using VHDL to convert 24MHz and 12 MHz clock to 8 MHz clock. Can anyone please help me in this coding? Thanks in advance.
Is this for an FPGA? Or something else? Are you really dividing a clock, or just a signal? For a divide by three counter, try this link:
http://www.asic-world.com/examples/vhdl/divide_by_3.html
And for a 2/3:
http://www.edaboard.com/thread42620.html
As Martin has already said, use a clock management device by Xilinx recommendations in order to divide your clock down to a lower rate.
While you might be tempted to implement a clock divider using logic and a counter, you will not obtain good synthesis results.
Here are some tips:
Be sure to closely read and follow recommendations for the clock management hardware for your device. There can be quite a few "gotchas" related to power-up, reset, loss of clock lock, etc.
Make sure that you are operating the clock management device within its specifications. See your device's datasheet for more information (in this case for the S3-A).
Use FPGA Editor to verify correct placement and configuration of your clock management units (i.e. did it end up in the right spot on the chip)
Adhere to recommended practices for feedback clocks, and clock buffering.
Use a DCM or PLL (depending on the family of FPGA) - there's examples in the documentation. If you tell us which family, I might be able to point you more directly.
EDIT:
As you say Spartan 3ADSP - you need to either:
Use the Core Generator Clocking Wizard to create you a VHDL or Verilog file with the components you need in and hope you never need to understand what's going on
Read the libraries guide and the DCM section of the Userguide for that chip and instantiate a DCM on your own and apply the correct generics/parameters to it.
Don't forget to apply a reset pulse to the DCM after configuration has finished 0 and make sure that pulse lasts long enough. The min pulse length is different for each family, I don't recall off the top of my head what it is for that chip, so check the datasheet.

Resources