> First off you'll want to decide on what language you
> want to use. The
> main contenders are VHDL and Verilog. VHDL is the
> "oldie", and has the
> benefit of TONS of code out there. Verilog is newer,
> but it is the
> future. Most companies are switching to only use
> Verilog in new designs.
> 
> Personally I prefer Verilog. I've learned both, but
> my "way of thinking"
> matched more closely with how Verilog structures are
> written. VHDL is a
> more "strict" language. Since Verilog is becoming
> the standard I would
> recommend you go with Verilog.
> 

  I will keep an eye out for Verilog. Does Xilinx
Webpack support Verilog well? Any good book to start
on Verilog?

> Notice I don't even mention "schematic" design
> methods. Many of the
> packages out there allow you to design logic using
> schematic symbols,
> i.e. an adder, a latch, a shift register. While very
> easy to learn, it's
> also EXTREMELY limiting (if you don't have a
> schematic symbol for a
> 12bit multiplier, but you need one, you're out of
> luck), and debugging
> becomes nearly impossible since you won't have any
> understanding on how
> the gate level code works.
  
  Schematic for a big piece can be NUTS. I will follow
the advice given, make it callable from Verilog or
VHDL.

> 
> As for software, that really depends on which vendor
> you go for since
> the software is usually tied to the brand of chip.
> There are several big
> players out there. Most of my experience has been
> with Xilinx, ranging
> from their CPLDs to their Virtex4 parts. In the case
> of Xilinx they
> offer something called the "ISE Webpack" which is
> basically there "full
> featured" tool limited to FPGAs below a certain
> size. For a hobbyist
> it's perfect. The integration is very good and it's
> a pretty easy tool
> to learn. I'm sure the other vendors offer similar
> packages.
> 
> As for FPGAs themselves, generally they only come in
> "hobbyist
> unfriendly" packages, so a devel board is a good
> idea. Most FGPAs are
> programmable through JTAG, but usually you'll still
> have to get the
> programming tool for your brand of FPGA. 
  
  Does the Starter Kit from Xilinx contain the JTAG
for me to use? I believe I would only use the
development board for it's hobbist friendliness and
it's smaller kit board for some projects.

> I don't know how familiar you are with FPGAs, so
> I'll give a few
> pointers. First off the configuration in an FPGA is
> usually volatile
> (stored in SRAM), when the power goes, so does the
> config. That means
> you have to program the FPGA each time you power up.
> During development
> that is fine since you'll have your programmer
> connected. However, to
> get standalone you'll need to add "FPGA PROMs" to
> the board. They are
> basically special EEPROMs that will program the FPGA
> on powerup. 

  I think a PIC solution would be great here. Am I
right?  


Thanks,
John

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