State machine in VHDL - unknow (unrecognized) output value - vhdl

I am a beginner in VHDL coding and I have some problem with my simple state machine. I just want this machine to change the output value loc_RL when the state changes. When I am simulating, there is no value (like 'U') for loc_RL.
Here is my code:
library ieee;
use ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
entity RL is
port (clk, reset, pon_RL, rtl_RL, ACDS_RL, LADS_RL, REN_RL, LLO_RL, MLA_RL, GTL_RL : in std_logic;
loc_RL : out std_logic);
end RL;
architecture behavioral of RL is
type STATE_TYPE is (LOCS, REMS, LWLS, RWLS);
signal state : STATE_TYPE;
begin
process(clk, reset)
begin
if reset='1' then
state <= LOCS;
elsif (rising_edge(clk)) then
case state is
when LOCS =>
if pon_RL = '1' then
state <= REMS;
else
state <= LOCS;
end if;
when REMS =>
if pon_RL = '1' then
state <= LWLS;
else
state <= REMS;
end if;
when LWLS =>
if pon_RL = '1' then
state <= RWLS;
else
state <= LWLS;
end if;
when RWLS =>
if pon_RL = '1' then
state <= LOCS;
else
state <= RWLS;
end if;
end case;
end if;
end process;
process(state)
begin
case state is
when LOCS =>
loc_RL <= '1';
when REMS =>
loc_RL <= '0';
when LWLS =>
loc_RL <= '1';
when RWLS =>
loc_RL <= '0';
end case;
end process;
end behavioral;
testbench:
library ieee;
use ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
use ieee.std_logic_unsigned.all;
entity RL_tb is
end RL_tb;
architecture testbench of RL_tb is
component RL
port (clk, reset, pon_RL, rtl_RL, ACDS_RL, LADS_RL, REN_RL, LLO_RL, MLA_RL, GTL_RL : in std_logic;
loc_RL : out std_logic);
end component;
--wejscia
signal tclk : std_logic;
signal treset: std_logic;
signal tpon_RL : std_logic;
signal trtl_RL : std_logic;
signal tACDS_RL : std_logic;
signal tLADS_RL : std_logic;
signal tREN_RL : std_logic;
signal tLLO_RL : std_logic;
signal tMLA_RL : std_logic;
signal tGTL_RL : std_logic;
--wyjscia
signal loc_RL : std_logic;
--definicja zegara
constant clk_period : time := 40 ns;
begin
--inicjalizacja UUT
uut: RL port map (
tclk,
treset,
tpon_RL,
trtl_RL,
tACDS_RL,
tLADS_RL,
tREN_RL,
tLLO_RL,
tMLA_RL,
tGTL_RL
);
process
begin
tclk <= '0';
wait for clk_period/2;
tclk <= '1';
wait for clk_period/2;
end process;
process
begin
treset <= '1';
wait for 10 ns;
treset <= '0';
tpon_RL <= '1';
end process;
end;
It is compiling correctly, I can proceed to the simulation. I am using NCLaunch from Cadence. Thanks in advance for help.

Analyzing, elaborating and simulating your design and testbench gives:
And looking at the testbench shows:
architecture testbench of RL_tb is
component RL
port (
clk,
reset,
pon_RL,
rtl_RL,
ACDS_RL,
LADS_RL,
REN_RL,
LLO_RL,
MLA_RL,
GTL_RL: in std_logic;
loc_RL: out std_logic
);
end component;
--wejscia
signal tclk: std_logic;
signal treset: std_logic;
signal tpon_RL: std_logic;
signal trtl_RL: std_logic;
signal tACDS_RL: std_logic;
signal tLADS_RL: std_logic;
signal tREN_RL: std_logic;
signal tLLO_RL: std_logic;
signal tMLA_RL: std_logic;
signal tGTL_RL: std_logic;
--wyjscia
signal loc_RL: std_logic;
--definicja zegara
constant clk_period: time := 40 ns;
begin
--inicjalizacja UUT
uut:
RL
port map (
tclk,
treset,
tpon_RL,
trtl_RL,
tACDS_RL,
tLADS_RL,
tREN_RL,
tLLO_RL,
tMLA_RL,
tGTL_RL
);
process
begin
tclk <= '0';
wait for clk_period/2;
tclk <= '1';
wait for clk_period/2;
end process;
process
begin
treset <= '1';
wait for 10 ns;
treset <= '0';
tpon_RL <= '1';
end process;
end architecture;
No where is there an assignment to or initial value assigned to an input to the device under test other than clk, reset and tpon_RL.
Looking in the RL process we find that actual state branching out of LOCS depends on reset not being '1':
process (clk, reset)
begin
if reset = '1' then
state <= LOCS;
elsif (rising_edge(clk)) then
case state is
when LOCS =>
if pon_RL = '1' then
state <= REMS;
else
state <= LOCS;
end if;
when REMS =>
What's missing in your testbench stimulus is a release of the reset.
In the unlabeled process:
process
begin
treset <= '1';
wait for 10 ns;
treset <= '0';
tpon_RL <= '1';
end process;
You're missing a final wait statement:
process
begin
treset <= '1';
wait for 10 ns;
treset <= '0';
tpon_RL <= '1';
wait; -- added
end process;
Which prevents you from immediately assigning reset to a '1' again. Without suspension a process will loop, it's only suspending at the one wait statement, after setting reset to a '0' it's immediately setting it to a '1' before the process suspends, reset will only have a '1' value. No signal is updated while any process is active, there's only one projected output waveform value for any time, including the current simulation time. The assignment to a '1' overwrites the assignment to a '0'.
Fixing that gives:
And now we see the state machine is active.

Related

synchronous Reset doesnt work (VHDL) in Simulation, but why?

I am really confused, because it is a simple code and I dont find the error. Syntax is fine, but in Simulation the Values of Dready and acc_value dont change.
This is my module MVM.vhd:
entity MVM is
port (
CLK: IN std_logic;
RST: IN std_logic;
DREADY: OUT std_logic
);
end entity MVM;
architecture base of MVM is
begin
process(CLK)
variable acc_value : signed(15 downto 0);
begin
IF rising_edge(CLK) then
IF RST='1' THEN
acc_value := (OTHERS => '0'); -- reset
DREADY <= '0';
END IF;
END IF;
END process;
end base;
If Reset is high, it should set the values of Dready and acc_value to "0"
My Testbench:
entity tb_MVM is
-- Port ( );
end tb_MVM;
architecture TEST of tb_MVM is
Component MVM
port (
CLK: IN std_logic;
RST: IN std_logic;
DREADY: OUT std_logic
);
End component;
signal CLK: std_logic;
signal RST: std_logic;
signal DREADY: std_logic;
BEGIN
uut: MVM Port Map(
CLK=>CLK,
RST=>RST,
DREADY => DREADY
);
tb: process
BEGIN
wait for 100ns;
CLK <= '1';
RST <= '1';
wait for 100ns;
CLK <= '0';
wait for 100ns;
CLK <= '1';
RST <= '0';
END PROCESS;
end TEST;
In the Simulation, the DREADY and acc_value are undefined ('X')
Assuming you mean the output before 300ns...
In simplified words: rising_edge() checks a transition from '0' to '1', and is not true for transitions from 'X' to '1'.
You might also want to make sure that RST is stable when CLK actually rises, for example:
tb: process
BEGIN
CLK <= '0';
RST <= '1';
wait for 100ns;
CLK <= '1';
wait for 100ns;
CLK <= '0';
RST <= '0';
END PROCESS;
This brings DREADY and acc_value to zero after 100ns.

ISim shows U for all outputs

I have a simple VHDL design and test bench that does not produce the expected output. ISim shows 'U' for all the outputs until the 'running' state is achieved (myState='1'). Then they show 0 and X values. The first PROCESS block should set all outputs to '0' when ENABLE is '0'. The test bench toggles ENABLE 0-1-0 to insure an event triggers the process, but the outputs stay at 'U'. Is the problem in the design, the test, or both?
VHDL
library IEEE;
use IEEE.STD_LOGIC_1164.ALL;
entity TestHarness1 is
port (
ADAT_WDCLK : in std_logic;
ADAT_BCLK: in std_logic;
ADAT_OUT12: in std_logic;
ENABLE: in std_logic;
PCM_FS : out std_logic;
PCM_CLK : out std_logic;
PCM_DIN : out std_logic
);
end TestHarness1;
architecture Behavioral of TestHarness1 is
--type state is (STOPPED, RUNNING);
signal tmp : std_logic;
signal myState : std_logic;
begin
PCM_DIN <= tmp;
-- State management process
process (ENABLE, ADAT_WDCLK) begin -- Eval on input changes
if (ENABLE = '0') then
myState <= '0'; --STOPPED;
PCM_FS <= '0'; -- All outputs muted
PCM_CLK <= '0';
tmp <= '0';
else
if (myState = '0' and rising_edge(ADAT_WDCLK)) then
-- Move to running state only at start of a frame
myState <= '1'; --RUNNING;
end if;
end if;
end process;
-- Output process
process (ADAT_WDCLK, ADAT_BCLK, myState) variable counter: integer := 0; begin
-- Only do something if we are in running state, process above
-- sets outputs when stopped.
if (myState = '1') then
-- Pass the clocks through, inverting the bit clock
PCM_FS <= ADAT_WDCLK;
PCM_CLK <= not ADAT_BCLK;
-- Generate fixed bit pattern data '11000101'
if rising_edge(ADAT_WDCLK) then
-- This would happen naturally since there are 4 bytes per word clock
counter := 0;
end if;
if falling_edge(ADAT_WDCLK) then
-- This would happen naturally since there are 4 bytes per word clock
counter := 0;
end if;
if rising_edge(ADAT_BCLK) then -- Change data state only on falling edge of output PCM_CLK
if counter = 0 or counter = 1 or counter = 5 or counter = 7 then
tmp <= '1';
else
tmp <= '0';
end if;
if (counter = 7) then
counter := 0; -- Reset counter
else
counter := counter + 1; -- Just inc counter
end if;
end if;
end if;
end process;
end Behavioral;
Test Bench
LIBRARY ieee;
USE ieee.std_logic_1164.ALL;
ENTITY TH1TestBench3 IS
END TH1TestBench3;
ARCHITECTURE behavior OF TH1TestBench3 IS
-- Component Declaration for the Unit Under Test (UUT)
COMPONENT TestHarness1
PORT(
ADAT_WDCLK : IN std_logic;
ADAT_BCLK : IN std_logic;
ADAT_OUT12 : IN std_logic;
ENABLE : IN std_logic;
PCM_FS : OUT std_logic;
PCM_CLK : OUT std_logic;
PCM_DIN : OUT std_logic
);
END COMPONENT;
--Inputs
signal ADAT_WDCLK : std_logic := '0';
signal ADAT_BCLK : std_logic := '0';
signal ADAT_OUT12 : std_logic := '0';
signal ENABLE : std_logic := '0';
--Outputs
signal PCM_FS : std_logic;
signal PCM_CLK : std_logic;
signal PCM_DIN : std_logic;
-- Clock period definitions. Note WDCLK is defined in terms of the bit clock
-- to insure they are exactly in sync.
constant ADAT_BCLK_period : time := 326 ns; -- About 3.072MHz (https://www.sensorsone.com/frequency-to-period-calculator/)
constant ADAT_WDCLK_period : time := ADAT_BCLK_period * 64; -- 48KHz
BEGIN
-- Instantiate the Unit Under Test (UUT)
uut: TestHarness1 PORT MAP (
ADAT_WDCLK => ADAT_WDCLK,
ADAT_BCLK => ADAT_BCLK,
ADAT_OUT12 => ADAT_OUT12,
ENABLE => ENABLE,
PCM_FS => PCM_FS,
PCM_CLK => PCM_CLK,
PCM_DIN => PCM_DIN
);
-- Clock process definitions
ADAT_WDCLK_process :process
begin
ADAT_WDCLK <= '0';
wait for ADAT_WDCLK_period/2;
ADAT_WDCLK <= '1';
wait for ADAT_WDCLK_period/2;
end process;
ADAT_BCLK_process :process
begin
ADAT_BCLK <= '1';
wait for ADAT_BCLK_period/2;
ADAT_BCLK <= '0';
wait for ADAT_BCLK_period/2;
end process;
-- Stimulus process
stim_proc: process
begin
-- hold reset state for 100 ns.
wait for 100 ns;
ENABLE <= '1';
wait for 100 ns;
ENABLE <= '0';
wait for 7500 ns;
ENABLE <= '1';
wait for ADAT_WDCLK_period*10;
-- insert stimulus here
wait;
end process;
END;
ISim shows the ENABLE pulse early in the simulation, but the outputs remain 'U' until the rising edge of the WCLK with ENABLE=1. Then they start to change (as designed) but they show some X values.
Modified VHDL
For reference, here is the modified VHDL that resolves the problem of U's and X's in the simulation output. However, there is a functional problem with the PCM_DIN output... seems like it is delayed one (BCLK) cycle. I expected it to be '1' as soon as ADAT_WDCLK goes high the first time after ENABLE. But it does not go to '1' until a BLCK cycle later.
library IEEE;
use IEEE.STD_LOGIC_1164.ALL;
entity TestHarness1 is
port (
ADAT_WDCLK : in std_logic;
ADAT_BCLK: in std_logic;
ADAT_OUT12: in std_logic;
ENABLE: in std_logic;
PCM_FS : out std_logic;
PCM_CLK : out std_logic;
PCM_DIN : out std_logic
);
end TestHarness1;
architecture Behavioral of TestHarness1 is
--type state is (STOPPED, RUNNING);
signal tmp : std_logic;
signal myState : std_logic;
begin
PCM_DIN <= tmp;
-- State management process
process (ENABLE, ADAT_WDCLK) begin -- Eval on input changes
if (ENABLE = '0') then
myState <= '0'; --STOPPED;
else
if (myState = '0' and rising_edge(ADAT_WDCLK)) then
-- Move to running state only at start of a frame
myState <= '1'; --RUNNING;
end if;
end if;
end process;
-- Output process
process (ADAT_WDCLK, ADAT_BCLK, myState) variable counter: integer := 0; begin
-- Only do something if we are in running state
if (myState = '0') then
PCM_FS <= '0'; -- All outputs muted
PCM_CLK <= '0';
tmp <= '0';
elsif (myState = '1') then
-- Pass the clocks through, inverting the bit clock
PCM_FS <= ADAT_WDCLK;
PCM_CLK <= not ADAT_BCLK;
if rising_edge(ADAT_BCLK) then -- Generate fixed serial bit pattern
if counter = 0 or counter = 1 or counter = 5 or counter = 7 then
tmp <= '1';
else
tmp <= '0';
end if;
if (counter = 7) then
counter := 0; -- Reset counter
else
counter := counter + 1; -- Just inc counter
end if;
end if;
end if;
end process;
end Behavioral;
ISim of the above (including the internal myState signal)... why is PCM_DIN delayed one BCLK cycle?
Regarding the 'X' (Forcing Unknown) values you are seeing:
You are driving the signals PCM_FS, PCM_CLK and tmp from multiple processes, which results in the simulator being unable to resolve the value being driven. You need to fix this such that they are only being driven from one process, or drive 'Z' when they are not in use.
Regarding the 'U' values, they exist because you have no initial values for the signals. Once you write the signals for the first time (after the enable), they will be assigned for the first time.

Why isnt this code in vhdl simulating anything?(testbench and design)

--
library IEEE;
use IEEE.STD_LOGIC_1164.ALL;
entity D_flip_flop is
port (
D : in STD_LOGIC;
Q : inout STD_LOGIC;
Q_tonos : out STD_LOGIC;
CLK : in STD_LOGIC;
RST : in STD_LOGIC
);
end D_flip_flop;
architecture Behavioral of D_flip_flop is
begin
process_flip_flip: process
begin
wait until CLK'EVENT AND CLK = '1';
if(RST='1') then
Q <= '0';
else
Q <= D;
end if;
Q_tonos <= not Q;
end process process_flip_flip;
end Behavioral;
-------------------------
--testbench
LIBRARY ieee;
USE ieee.std_logic_1164.ALL;
ENTITY test_flip_flop IS
END test_flip_flop;
ARCHITECTURE tb OF test_flip_flop IS
COMPONENT D_flip_flop
PORT(
D : IN std_logic;
Q : INout std_logic;
Q_tonos : OUT std_logic;
CLK : IN std_logic;
RST : IN std_logic
);
END COMPONENT;
signal D : std_logic ;
signal CLK : std_logic ;
signal RST : std_logic ;
signal Q : std_logic;
signal Q_tonos : std_logic;
constant CLK_period : time := 10 ns;
signal stopClk : boolean;
BEGIN
-- Instantiate the Unit Under Test (UUT)
dut: D_flip_flop PORT MAP (
D => D,
Q => Q,
Q_tonos => Q_tonos,
CLK => CLK,
RST => RST
);
CLK_process :process
begin
while not stopClk loop
CLK <= '0';
wait for CLK_period/2;
CLK <= '1';
wait for CLK_period/2;
end loop;
wait;
end process CLK_process;
-- Stimulus process
stim_proc: process
begin
-- insert stimulus here
D <= '0';
RST <= '1';
wait for 100 ns;
D <= '0';
RST <= '0';
wait for 100 ns;
D <= '1';
RST <= '0';
wait for 100 ns;
D <= '1';
RST <= '0';
wait for 100 ns;
wait;
end process;
END;
You are missing one line in your testbench, I think:
D <= '1';
RST <= '0';
wait for 100 ns;
stopClk <= TRUE; -- add this line
wait;
end process;
END;
http://www.edaplayground.com/x/56Mm
That way, when the test is finished, the clock stopClk signal turns off the clock generator and the simulation finishes. It finishes because it reaches a state called event starvation. Every time a line of code containing a signal assignment is executed, an event is added to the simulators event queue (its "to do list"). If you create a situation where no such lines continue to be executed, then the event queue becomes empty. This is event starvation. The simulator detects that and the simulation stops. (If you think about, what else could it do?)
Without this extra line, the simulation runs forever, because the clock generation process executes signal assignments forever, so the event queue is never empty.
Not really an answer, but: consider using if rising_edge(CLK) or maybe if CLK='1' and CLK'event instead of wait until. Not all synhtesis tools support that kind of code and anyway it's rare to see it in professional world ;)
p.s. stopClk signal is not driven (or was it?) Your TB clock is enably by that, yet I guess it remains 'u' for the whole simulation. Unless forced in the simulation.

VHDL state transitions based on if statements - works on board but doesn't work in simulator

I hate to ask yet another question on here but apparently I'm really useless with simulators :(.
Basically, I have a traffic light controller that is made up of a bunch of different states and a few timers running for different lengths of time. When the system enters a state, it activates a timer and there is an if statement that watches the timer output and points the system to the next state when the timer output value is 1.
This all works fine on the board, but when I simulate it the count ticks to '1' but the next state isn't selected. This can be seen, here:
I've tried to boil the code down into the essentials below, but if you need more context (and are feeling far more generous than I deserve) then the full code is here.
Initialisation:
entity trafficlightcontroller is
port
(
clk : in std_logic;
reset : in std_logic;
ambulance : in std_logic;
smr : in std_logic;
sml : in std_logic;
ssr : in std_logic;
rlmr : out std_logic;
almr : out std_logic;
glmr : out std_logic;
rlsr : out std_logic;
alsr : out std_logic;
glsr : out std_logic
);
end entity;
architecture rtl of trafficlightcontroller is
-- Build an enumerated type for the state machine
-- r=red;a=amber;g=green;c=car waiting;m=main road;s=side road
type state_type is (rmgs, rmas, rmrs, amrs, gmrs, gmrcs, ramrs, rmacs, rmrcs, ramrcs, rmras, rmrs2);
-- Signals to hold the states
signal present_state, next_state : state_type;
signal divclk, reset2, reset2b, reset3, reset3b, reset10, reset20, reset20b, count2, count2b, count3, count3b, count10, count20, count20b: std_logic;
component timer is
generic (
trigger_cnt: natural := 20
);
port (
clk: in std_logic;
reset: in std_logic;
count: buffer std_logic
);
end component timer;
component clockdivider
port(clkin : in std_logic;
dividedclk : out std_logic
);
end component clockdivider;
begin
timer2 : timer generic map (trigger_cnt => 2) port map(divclk,reset2,count2);
timer2b : timer generic map (trigger_cnt => 2) port map(divclk,reset2b,count2b);
timer3 : timer generic map (trigger_cnt => 3) port map(divclk,reset3,count3);
timer3b : timer generic map (trigger_cnt => 3) port map(divclk,reset3b,count3b);
timer10 : timer generic map (trigger_cnt => 10) port map(divclk,reset10,count10);
timer20 : timer generic map (trigger_cnt => 20) port map(divclk,reset20,count20);
timer20b : timer generic map (trigger_cnt => 20) port map(divclk,reset20b,count20b);
divider : clockdivider port map(clk, divclk);
The beginning of the states (including the state shown in the simulation):
case present_state is
--Red light main; green side road
when rmgs=>
reset2 <= '0';
reset2b <= '0';
reset3 <= '0';
reset3b <= '0';
reset20 <= '0';
reset20b <= '0';
rlmr <= '1';
almr <= '0';
glmr <= '0';
rlsr <= '0';
alsr <= '0';
glsr <= '1';
reset10 <= '1';
--if count is complete then move to next state
if ( count10='1' ) THEN
next_state <= rmas;
--otherwise, return to current state
else
next_state <= rmgs;
end if;
Clock process:
--Every clock tick, the next state is selected as the present state.
state_clocked: process(clk)
begin
if ( rising_edge( clk ) ) THEN
present_state <= next_state;
end if;
end process state_clocked;
The line I entered into the simulator to initialise the clock:
force clk 0 0ns, 1 10 ns -repeat 20ns
Your next_state process is missing lots of signals in the sensitivity list. This will probably fix it. VHDL-2008 allows you to use the keyword "all" instead of signal names. If your synthesis tool supports this, it might be worth using.
The rest are suggestions:
With a two process statemachine, reset logic is most often captured in the state_clocked process. And hence, look more like this:
state_clocked: process(clk)
begin
if ( rising_edge( clk ) ) THEN
if Reset = '0' then
present_state <= rmrs;
else
present_state <= next_state;
end if ;
end if;
end process state_clocked;
You can shorten your code significantly if you use a default assignment to assign the "off" value to all signal outputs of the next_state process:
next_state_proc : process (present_state, ssr, ambulance, Count10, Count3, ... )
begin
-- default assignments
reset2 <= '0';
reset2b <= '0';
reset3 <= '0';
reset3b <='0';
reset10 <= '0';
reset20 <= '0';
reset20b <= '0';
rlmr <= '1';
almr <= '0';
glmr <= '0';
rlsr <= '1';
alsr <= '0';
glsr <= '0';
next_state <= present_state ; -- optional
-- Statemachine code starts here
-- Only do assignments that are different from the default.
if ssr = '0' then
-- Do you change the values from the defaults here?
-- with the defaults, it is not necessary to do any assignments here, however,
-- without the defaults these outputs would have latches on them.
case present_state is
when gmrs => next_state <= gmrcs;
when rmas => next_state <= rmacs;
...
end case ;
elsif ambulance = '0' then
-- Do you change the values from the defaults here?
-- with the defaults, it is not necessary to do any assignments here, however,
-- without the defaults these outputs would have latches on them.
case present_state is
when gmrs | ramrs | ramrcs => next_state <= amrs;
-- when rmas => ???
when rmgs | rmras => next_state <= rmas;
...
end case ;
else
-- main statemachine
case present_state is
when rmgs=>
-- Only drive outputs that are different from the defaults here.
rlsr <= '0';
glsr <= '1';
reset10 <= '1';
--if count is complete then move to next state
if ( count10='1' ) THEN
next_state <= rmas;
--otherwise, return to current state
else
next_state <= rmgs;
end if;
when rmas=>
. . .
end case ;
The reset for the present_state register isn't strictly needed for simulation, but should be there for synthesis.
state_clocked:
process(reset,clk)
begin
if reset = '0' then
present_state <= rmrs;
elsif rising_edge( clk ) THEN
present_state <= next_state;
end if;
end process;
(Jim beat me to it).
process (present_state, reset, ssr, ambulance, count2, count2b,
count3, count3b, count10, count20, count20b)
Adding the process sensitivity elements (and using reset):
(I added a bit more to it. A lot of your design appears to be working to a good extent.)
And think about using a test bench, it would allow automated testing by generating inputs on ambulance, smr, sml and ssr.
library ieee;
use ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
entity tb_tfc is
end entity;
architecture foo of tb_tfc is
signal clk: std_logic := '0';
signal reset: std_logic;
signal ambulance: std_logic := '1';
signal smr: std_logic := '1';
signal sml: std_logic := '1';
signal ssr: std_logic := '1';
signal rlmr: std_logic;
signal almr: std_logic;
signal glmr: std_logic;
signal rlsr: std_logic;
signal alsr: std_logic;
signal glsr: std_logic;
begin
DUT:
entity work.trafficlightcontroller
port map (
clk,
reset,
ambulance,
smr,
sml,
ssr,
rlmr, -- out
almr, -- out
glmr, -- out
rlsr, -- out
alsr, -- out
glsr -- out
);
CLOCK:
process
begin
wait for 10 ns;
clk <= not clk;
if Now > 1280 ns then
wait;
end if;
end process;
STIMULUS:
process
begin
reset <= '0'; --
wait for 20 ns;
reset <= '1';
wait for 1020 ns;
ssr <= '0';
wait;
end process;
end architecture;

Implementing a FSM in VHDL

Just wondering if I'm implementing a finite state machine in VHDL whether or not I need to state what all of the outputs are in every possible state? Even if I know that some outputs won't change from one state to the other and I know that the order of the states will also be in the same order?
For example, in this (forced) example:
entity test is
port (
clk : in std_logic;
a : in std_logic;
b: out std_logic;
c: out std_logic;
);
end test;
architecture Behavioral of test is
type executionStage is (s1,s2,s3);
signal currentstate, nextstate: executionStage;
begin
process (clk)
begin
if(rising_edge(clk)) then
currentstate <= nextstate;
else
currentstate <= currentstate;
end if;
end process;
process(currentstate)
begin
case currentstate is
when s1 =>
if (a = '1') then
b <= '1';
c <= '0';
else
b <= '1';
c <= '1';
end if;
nextstate <= s2;
when s2 =>
-- b doesnt change state from s1 to here, do I need to define what it is here?
if (a = '1') then
b <= '1';
c <= '1';
else
b <= '1';
c <= '0';
end if;
nextstate <= s3;
when s3 =>
if (a = '1') then
b <= '0';
c <= '0';
else
b <= '1';
c <= '1';
end if;
nextstate <= s1;
end case;
end process;
end Behavioral;
From my understanding if I don't do this then latches are created?
It's not a big deal in something like that example but if I have a machine with more than 10 outputs and more than 10 states then my VHDL files start to look incredibly messy and I'm sure it must be bad practice to copy and paste the same thing over and over. Is there a better way of doing this?
edit: Can I define a 'default' state for an ouput? IE set b to be 1 outside of all the processes and then only define what it is in the case statements where it is 0? Would that work?
Yes, you will infer latches if you only drive signals intended to be combinatorial in some branches of the process.
However, you can define a 'default' state for the signal simply by assigning a value to it before the case statement (but within the same process). For example:
process(currentstate, a)
begin
b <= '1';
c <= '1';
case currentstate is
when s1 =>
if (a = '1') then
c <= '0';
end if;
nextstate <= s2;
when s2 =>
-- b doesnt change state from s1 to here, do I need to define what it is here?
if (a /= '1') then
c <= '0';
end if;
nextstate <= s3;
when s3 =>
if (a = '1') then
b <= '0';
c <= '0';
end if;
nextstate <= s1;
end case;
end process;
Three problems with your example code:
The last port in your port list should not have a semicolon:
port (
clk : in std_logic;
a : in std_logic;
b: out std_logic;
c: out std_logic -- no semicolon here!!!
);
In your register process, you should not have an "else" statement. While this will probably be accepted by the tools, it will confuse your fellow-VHDL designers.
process (clk)
begin
if(rising_edge(clk)) then
currentstate <= nextstate;
end if;
end process;
In your combinational logic, the sensitivity list should contain all signals that you read: process(a, currentstate). In this particular case (again) things will probably work out fine, but you are bound to infer latches or cause other problems if your sensitivity list is not correct.
As for your question:
Yes, you need to assign a value (for each state) to each signal in the combinational process.
As Tomi mentions, you can easily do this by assigning a default value in the beginning of the process.
But you can also write the entire state machine in one single synchronous process. This way, you do not have to assign a value to every signal in every state.
Just a note to Philippe's response (can't comment on it directly?)..
I do prefer to write state machines in the two process style. It makes it very clear where you expect inferred flipflops and where you don't. It's also a bit more along the lines of
describing the hardware - imagine building a state machine with board level logic for example.
The registered device matches the state <= next_state process,
and the case statement maps to the and/or array in front of the state register..
Having said that, I typically use one process state machines for small simple tasks, and move over to two process machines for bigger ones.
I will even sometimes use a third process for organizing state outputs into different "task" groups.. but not often. A really large state machine tends to tell me the architecture needs work..
process (clk)
begin
if(rising_edge(clk)) then
currentstate <= nextstate;
end if;
end process;
Hi
the above process is problematic but not due to the sensitivity list. It is ok to only declare clk for sequential process. Both simulation and synthesis tools won't have problems with it. clk is the fastest changing/transitioning signal after all in your code.
However, you should use an (preferrably) asynchronous reset. Of course, vendors nowadays say that for FPGA design, resets are not even necessary; they happen at boot time. Or they propose a synchronous reset.
Still, an asynchronous reset is valuable for a board-based environment.
In short: add a reset to your design and fix its behavior properly.
Kind regards
Nikolaos Kavvadias
The following VHDL code is edge sensitive state machine.
The edge sensitive process in this example will make both “out1” and “out2” in phase with “clk”.
entity main_code is
Port ( clk : in STD_LOGIC;
in1 : in STD_LOGIC;
in2 : in STD_LOGIC;
out1 : out STD_LOGIC;
out2 : out STD_LOGIC);
end main_code;
architecture Behavioral of main_code is
-- here are temp signals to associate or assign output (out1 and out2) values indirectly
signal out1_temp : std_logic := '0';
signal out2_temp : std_logic := '0';
-- counter registers
signal counter : integer range 0 to 255 := 0;
signal counter_8th_clk : integer range 0 to 255 := 0;
-- state machines definition
type state_machine_type is (s0,s1);
signal state : state_machine_type := s0;
begin
-- concurrent assignments
out1 <= out1_temp;
out2 <= out2_temp;
--half clock generator process
half_clock : process (clk) is
begin
if rising_edge(clk) then
--out1_temp <= not out1_temp;
end if;
end process half_clock;
-- max counter = ndiv -1; here ndiv=4; counter starts from zero;
one_fourth_clock : process (clk)
begin
if rising_edge(clk) then
counter <= counter + 1;
if (counter >= 3) then
counter <= 0;
-- out2_temp <= not out2_temp;
end if;
end if;
end process one_fourth_clock;
one_eighth_clock : process (clk)
begin
if rising_edge(clk) then
counter_8th_clk <= counter_8th_clk + 1;
if (counter_8th_clk>=7) then
counter_8th_clk <= 0;
-- out2_temp <= not out2_temp;
end if;
end if;
end process one_eighth_clock;
-- state_process creates two half clock (speed) with out1 out of phase with clk
-- and out2 in-phase with clk
-- following process is sensitive to clk level not edge
state_process_edge_sensitive : process (clk)
begin
if rising_edge (clk) then
case state is
when s0 =>
out1_temp <= not out1_temp;
state <= s1;
when s1 =>
out2_temp <= not out2_temp;
state <= s0;
end case;
end if;
end process state_process_edge_sensitive;
end Behavioral;
here is the test bench
LIBRARY ieee;
USE ieee.std_logic_1164.ALL;
-- Uncomment the following library declaration if using
-- arithmetic functions with Signed or Unsigned values
--USE ieee.numeric_std.ALL;
ENTITY my_test_bench IS
END my_test_bench;
ARCHITECTURE behavior OF my_test_bench IS
-- Component Declaration for the Unit Under Test (UUT)
COMPONENT main_code
PORT(
clk : IN std_logic;
in1 : IN std_logic;
in2 : IN std_logic;
out1 : OUT std_logic;
out2 : OUT std_logic
);
END COMPONENT;
--Inputs
signal clk : std_logic := '0';
signal in1 : std_logic := '0';
signal in2 : std_logic := '0';
--Outputs
signal out1 : std_logic;
signal out2 : std_logic;
-- Clock period definitions
constant clk_period : time := 10 ns;
BEGIN
-- Instantiate the Unit Under Test (UUT)
uut: main_code PORT MAP (
clk => clk,
in1 => in1,
in2 => in2,
out1 => out1,
out2 => out2
);
-- Clock process definitions
clk_process :process
begin
clk <= '0';
wait for clk_period/2;
clk <= '1';
wait for clk_period/2;
end process;
-- Stimulus process
stim_proc: process
begin
-- hold reset state for 100 ns.
-- wait for 100 ns;
--
-- wait for clk_period*10;
-- insert stimulus here
wait;
end process;
END;
The following VHDL code is level sensitive state machine.
The level sensitive process in this example will make “out1” out of phase with “clk” and “out2” in phase with “clk”.
entity main_code is
Port ( clk : in STD_LOGIC;
in1 : in STD_LOGIC;
in2 : in STD_LOGIC;
out1 : out STD_LOGIC;
out2 : out STD_LOGIC);
end main_code;
architecture Behavioral of main_code is
-- here are temp signals to associate or assign output (out1 and out2) values indirectly
signal out1_temp : std_logic := '0';
signal out2_temp : std_logic := '0';
-- counter registers
signal counter : integer range 0 to 255 := 0;
signal counter_8th_clk : integer range 0 to 255 := 0;
-- state machines definition
type state_machine_type is (s0,s1);
signal state : state_machine_type := s0;
begin
-- concurrent assignments
out1 <= out1_temp;
out2 <= out2_temp;
--half clock generator process
half_clock : process (clk) is
begin
if rising_edge(clk) then
--out1_temp <= not out1_temp;
end if;
end process half_clock;
-- max counter = ndiv -1; here ndiv=4; counter starts from zero;
one_fourth_clock : process (clk)
begin
if rising_edge(clk) then
counter <= counter + 1;
if (counter >= 3) then
counter <= 0;
-- out2_temp <= not out2_temp;
end if;
end if;
end process one_fourth_clock;
one_eighth_clock : process (clk)
begin
if rising_edge(clk) then
counter_8th_clk <= counter_8th_clk + 1;
if (counter_8th_clk>=7) then
counter_8th_clk <= 0;
-- out2_temp <= not out2_temp;
end if;
end if;
end process one_eighth_clock;
-- state_process creates two half clock (speed) with out1 out of phase with clk
-- and out2 in-phase with clk
-- following process is sensitive to clk level not edge
state_process_level_sensitive : process (clk)
begin
case state is
when s0 =>
out1_temp <= not out1_temp;
state <= s1;
when s1 =>
out2_temp <= not out2_temp;
state <= s0;
end case;
end process state_process_level_sensitive;
end Behavioral;
here is the test bench
LIBRARY ieee;
USE ieee.std_logic_1164.ALL;
-- Uncomment the following library declaration if using
-- arithmetic functions with Signed or Unsigned values
--USE ieee.numeric_std.ALL;
ENTITY my_test_bench IS
END my_test_bench;
ARCHITECTURE behavior OF my_test_bench IS
-- Component Declaration for the Unit Under Test (UUT)
COMPONENT main_code
PORT(
clk : IN std_logic;
in1 : IN std_logic;
in2 : IN std_logic;
out1 : OUT std_logic;
out2 : OUT std_logic
);
END COMPONENT;
--Inputs
signal clk : std_logic := '0';
signal in1 : std_logic := '0';
signal in2 : std_logic := '0';
--Outputs
signal out1 : std_logic;
signal out2 : std_logic;
-- Clock period definitions
constant clk_period : time := 10 ns;
BEGIN
-- Instantiate the Unit Under Test (UUT)
uut: main_code PORT MAP (
clk => clk,
in1 => in1,
in2 => in2,
out1 => out1,
out2 => out2
);
-- Clock process definitions
clk_process :process
begin
clk <= '0';
wait for clk_period/2;
clk <= '1';
wait for clk_period/2;
end process;
-- Stimulus process
stim_proc: process
begin
-- hold reset state for 100 ns.
-- wait for 100 ns;
--
-- wait for clk_period*10;
-- insert stimulus here
wait;
end process;
END;

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