fpga_first_counter's Introduction

fpga_first_counter

#fpga #tinyfpga

This is my very first Lattice Diamond project The intention is to get familiar with the development IDE with this very simple resetable 32bit counter project.

After installation of the IDE,

clone the project via: git clone https://github.com/szokesandor/fpga_first_counter
Launch Diamond
Open the fpga_first_counter.ldf project file. Target devie is set to LCMXO2-1200HC-5TG144C this one of the Tinyfpga devices especially the MachOX2. No port definition is used yet, only to get familiar with the simulator...
Click on the Tools -> Simulation Wizard.
Add a project name, e.g. sim.
Click next,
Answer yes to to popup window (in order to create a folder of the simulator project files).
Process Stage is RTL (you cannot choose other option so) press next
'Add an reorder source' dialog: you can safetly press next
'Parse HDL files for simulation' dialog lists the source files, that are parsed, below the list the simulation first_counter_tb file is selected, so press next
Please ensure all three option is selected (Run simulator, Add top level signals to waveform display, Run simulation)
Click Finish, to run the simulation.
Now the modelsim will be launched. For me the Finish Vsim dialog appear finally, So I simply press no

The main process ends here, now you should have a sucessful simulation ended with results on screen. You might need some additional setup to get results correctly infront of you.

on the right side there should be a screen with two tabs:
1. Wave and
2. testbench_count.v
Choose Wave
In the menubar choose Simulate --> Runtime options
On the left side of the dialog you see default radix, choose Hexadecimal and press Ok
Now you can zoom in the Wave display scroll with mouse holding CTRL down, into the beginning of the signals.
You will see the signals, also the counter value in hexadecimal