VHDL Books

[Unibus]

I have the problem with the selection of a suitable book for learning
VHDL. I've Googled, looked at the Amazon reviews, checked out the FPGA
groups and still don't have a satisfactory answer.

I've done chip level work on mainframes, maintained microprogramed and
state machines (if you accept DEC LA180 printers), done some small
design work, like the Mick & Brick bit-slice text, have manufacturer's
data books, etc. Played with network protocols for some years so my
reference library has the standard Cisco texts, Stevens' TCP/IP
Illustrated, etc. Can write microcode if somebody twists my arm. I
don't need the standard introductory material that is required for the
target audience of some books. Alternatively I'm not looking for a
cookbook that has lots of fragments. I would not be approaching VHDL as
a 'computer' language for hardware but as a tool to implement logic if
that makes sense. Hence my problem of buying a book sight unseen is the
contradictory reviews.

Anyone have some thoughts?

Regards,
Garry

 

[Mike Treseler]

Unibus wrote:

I would not be approaching VHDL as
a 'computer' language for hardware but as a tool to implement logic if
that makes sense.

VHDL synthesis code is an implementable description of logic,
but it can only be produced efficiently while interacting with
a simulator program running non-implementable testbench code.
So consider getting a simulator first to try out examples.
Aldec, modelsim or sonata would be fine.

And you might need more than one book.

For synthesis code, consider Rushton
http://www.google.com/search?q=ISBN+047198325X

For a complete language reference, consider Ashenden
http://www.google.com/search?q=ISBN+1558606742

An interesting side-trip is Barnes on ADA,
the language that VHDL is based on.
http://www.google.com/search?q=ISBN+0201342936

-- Mike Treseler

 

[Unibus]

Thank you for the reply. Already going down the path of the Xilinx tool
set so that area is not an issue.

Looks like Amazon is going to get a little richer. I had read the
Amazon reviews for Ashenden but somehow missed the Rushton. Those two
are now on the shopping list. I looked at ADA in the dim dark past
(colour book time) and still have reference material stored in the
garage so I'll skip the Barnes.

Regards,
Garry

 

[Peter Hermansson]

The first VHDL book I read was "A designers guide to VHDL synthesis"
by Ott & Wilderotter. This very good book has never been mentioned in
this group, as far as I know. Its full of practical examples. Even if
there are better reference books for advanced designers, its ideal for
beginners.

/Peter

 

[ivailokroumov]

I am sure that these books are very good for beginners, and I wish to post
other book that is very interesting for juniors and seniors. The name is:
"VHDL Starter's guide"
The autor is Sudhakar Yalamanchili

 

[vhdlcohen]

"ivailokroumov" <ikroumov@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<83062fa2f8610a94b307972c0f28d045@localhost.talkaboutprogramming.com>...

I am sure that these books are very good for beginners, and I wish to post
other book that is very interesting for juniors and seniors. The name is:
"VHDL Starter's guide"
The autor is Sudhakar Yalamanchili

FYI, you'll find my books for advanced levels because they deal with
the practical aspects in the use of VHDL and Verilog. See TOCs for
contents.
* Real Chip Design and Verification Using Verilog and VHDL, 2002 isbn
0-9705394-2-8
* Component Design by Example ", 2001 isbn 0-9705394-0-1
* VHDL Coding Styles and Methodologies, 2nd Edition, 1999 isbn
0-7923-8474-1
Ben Cohen
http://www.vhdlcohen.com/

 

[Alex Gibson]

"Unibus" <unibus@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:cgcffk$ea2@odak26.prod.google.com...

I have the problem with the selection of a suitable book for learning
VHDL. I've Googled, looked at the Amazon reviews, checked out the FPGA
groups and still don't have a satisfactory answer.

I've done chip level work on mainframes, maintained microprogramed and
state machines (if you accept DEC LA180 printers), done some small
design work, like the Mick & Brick bit-slice text, have manufacturer's
data books, etc. Played with network protocols for some years so my
reference library has the standard Cisco texts, Stevens' TCP/IP
Illustrated, etc. Can write microcode if somebody twists my arm. I
don't need the standard introductory material that is required for the
target audience of some books. Alternatively I'm not looking for a
cookbook that has lots of fragments. I would not be approaching VHDL as
a 'computer' language for hardware but as a tool to implement logic if
that makes sense. Hence my problem of buying a book sight unseen is the
contradictory reviews.

Anyone have some thoughts?

Regards,
Garry

Have a look at confluence , may be of interest to you as well.
http://www.confluent.org/