Module Title:Hardware Description Language
Language of Instruction:English
Credits: 5
NFQ Level:8
Module Delivered In 2 programme(s)
Teaching & Learning Strategies: A combination of lectures, class discussion, tutorial, laboratory exercises and demonstrations will be used. Emphasis will be placed on active learning including problem / project bases learning.
Module Aim: To provide learners with the knowledge and skills needed to design, simulate, synthesis and validate a digital circuit using a contemporary hardware description language (HDL).
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1 Use a Hardware Description Language (HDL) to synthesize combinational and sequential logic.
LO2 Use a Hardware Description Language (HDL) to create a test bench to simulate and validate a small digital system which incorporates combinational and sequential logic
LO3 Design and implement a finite state machine (FSM) using a hardware description language (HDL).
LO4 Interface an FPGA to seven segment displays, Leds and mechanical switches (which are to be debounced).
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Logic synthesis:
Logic synthesis using a MUX or LUT. Structure and operation of an FPGA.
Modelling techniques:
Gate-level, dataflow & behavioural modelling of digital systems. Combinational circuits – mux, decoder, priority encoder etc. Sequential circuits – registers, RAM, shift registers, counters etc Structural description of a hierarchical system. Synchronous design techniques.
HDL Language:
Lexical elements: comments, identifiers, numbers, strings etc. Data types: nets, registers, vectors, arrays. Operators, branching, looping etc. Procedural assignments: blocking and non-blocking. Sequential logic and event-based behaviour.
Finite state machine:
ASM charts, Moor & mealy machines, FSM encoding (one hot etc), HDL description of an FSM.
Design reuse:
Economic benefits of design reuse. Parameterized models. IP. Libraries. Supporting documentation and testbench.
Introduction to design verification:
Ethical and economic motivation for design verification. Develop a basic test bench for combinational circuits (adder) or sequential circuits (pre-settable up/down counter). Generating and assigning test vectors. Instance of design under test (DUT). Reporting test results. Tasks and functions.
Systems issues:
Implications of design techniques for power, speed, timing and area. Static timing analysis. Debouncing transient signals from switches etc
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment50.00%
Project25.00%
Practical25.00%
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Case Studies n/a 1,2,3 50.00 n/a
Project
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Project n/a 1,2,3,4 25.00 n/a
Practical
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Practical/Skills Evaluation n/a 1,2,3,4 25.00 n/a
No End of Module Formal Examination

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture Every Week 3.00
Practicals Every Week 2.00
Independent Learning Every Week 3.00
Total Hours 8.00
 

Module Delivered In

Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CW_EEBEE_B Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Biomedical Electronics 7 Mandatory
CW_EESYS_B Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electronic Engineering 7 Mandatory