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"Hello World" project for an FPGA (on a Spartan3 board)

I just got my Spartan3 board from Digilent, and I noticed it didn't come with any software on CD. I have installed Xilinx ISE 6.3 and want to try something (anything) out on it. What is the FPGA equivalent of the "Hello world" program?

Also, what is the best way, in terms of functionality, for a beginner to program this FPGA (and several peripherals I got for it)? It must be free, because at this stage, I don't know exactly what features I will want.

cheers

Reply to
C3
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Flash an LED at a rate of roughly once per second. This makes sure that:

1) the power is at least close to correct.1 2) the bits can be loaded correctly. 3) the clock is running, and is roughly the correct frequency. 4) at least a few pins are located at the right place.

Once you get that done, try each of the peripherals in as simple of way as you can.

Phil Hays

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Reply to
Phil Hays

Blink the LEDs. That needs a counter or such to slow it down enough to see. If you have a scope, you can bypass that compliction.

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Reply to
Hal Murray

There are a handful of designs that you can download from the Spartan-3 Starter Kit web page.

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For a real simple HDL Hello world equivalent I would recommend 'Digital Clock using Multiplexed 7-Segment Display'

Cheers, Shal> I just got my Spartan3 board from Digilent, and I noticed it didn't come

Reply to
Shalin Sheth

A 2-input AND gate would be a good one. Make 2 of the switches on your board as the inputs. Connect the output to one of the LED.

Hendra

Reply to
Hendra

There should already be Digilent's test program loaded onto the board. On the pegasus board (S2) it increments the 7 segment display and connects each of the switches to the LED's. Plug it in and try it out. Digilent's website also has instructional videos for using Xilinx Webpak.

I would start by modifying Digilent's program. Then perhaps make a switch debouncer and make the led flash. Then perhaps play with the seven segment display - like an incrementer that increments the display each time a button is pushed.

I would save the digital clock for later unless you have prior HDL experience. A digital clock is alot to do before testing at least once.

Cheers, Jim

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Reply to
Jim Lewis

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