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Author SHA1 Message Date
634ced8911
Merge branch 'waschtl' into merge-all 2020-03-31 14:44:11 +02:00
34bb2bfa4e
Add more temp files to gitignore 2020-03-31 14:43:08 +02:00
a5cb1acc97
Move FPGA development section to separate file 2020-03-31 14:40:29 +02:00
67808579e4
Add subsection about Free software to intro 2020-03-31 14:39:33 +02:00
d662561c36
Fix double instantiation of appendix package 2020-03-31 14:37:50 +02:00
87c678bbad
Rework SoC outline 2020-03-31 12:35:58 +02:00
a7f325489c
Language improvements 2020-03-31 12:33:08 +02:00
f9412ad437
Unify page numbering 2020-03-31 12:32:08 +02:00
1b7e6fad41
Remove more German 2020-03-31 12:31:33 +02:00
28abbf430e
More modifications
Signed-off-by: Tyrolyean <tyrolyean@tyrolyean.net>
2020-03-31 02:10:13 +02:00
e5744491ab
Remove German headings, unify numbering schemes 2020-03-31 00:51:35 +02:00
d9a7c973f5
Fix missing characters 2020-03-31 00:50:48 +02:00
15858dbd63
Update Makefile 2020-03-31 00:48:24 +02:00
19 changed files with 253 additions and 261 deletions

2
.gitignore vendored
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@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
*.dvi *.dvi
*.xdv *.xdv
*.out *.out
*.auxlock
*.md5
*.kate-swp *.kate-swp
*.pdf_tex *.pdf_tex

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@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ VHDL_DIR = $(YARM_DIRECTORY)/vhdl
CODEDIR = code CODEDIR = code
.PHONY: all .PHONY: all
all: Diplomschrift.pdf all: main.pdf
$(CODEDIR): $(CODEDIR):
mkdir -p $@ mkdir -p $@
@ -25,9 +25,9 @@ $(eval $(call headers_template,sections/core/entities/,$(wildcard $(VHDL_DIR)/co
.PHONY: entity_headers .PHONY: entity_headers
entity_headers: $(HEADER_DIRS) entity_headers: $(HEADER_DIRS)
.PHONY: Diplomschrift.pdf .PHONY: main.pdf
Diplomschrift.pdf: $(HEADER_DIRS) Diplomschrift.tex main.pdf: $(HEADER_DIRS) main.tex
latexmk --pdfxe --pdfxelatex="lualatex -interaction=nonstopmode --shell-escape" --use-make Diplomschrift.tex latexmk --pdflua --pdflualatex="lualatex -interaction=nonstopmode --shell-escape" --use-make main.tex
.PHONY: clean .PHONY: clean
clean: clean:

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@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
@online{fsf-definition,
author = {Free Software Foundation},
title = {What is free software?},
url = {https://www.fsf.org/about/what-is-free-software},
urldate = {2020-03-31},
}
@online{nandgame, @online{nandgame,
author = {Olav Junker Kjær}, author = {Olav Junker Kjær},
title = {The Nand Game}, title = {The Nand Game},

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@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
@Manual{ad2, @Manual{ad2,
month = Sep, month = Sep,
year = {2015}, year = {2015},
title = {Analog Discovery 2 Reference Manual}, title = {Analog Discovery 2\texttrademark{} Reference Manual},
organization = {Digilent, Inc.}, organization = {Digilent, Inc.},
url = {https://reference.digilentinc.com/_media/reference/instrumentation/analog-discovery-2/ad2_rm.pdf} url = {https://reference.digilentinc.com/_media/reference/instrumentation/analog-discovery-2/ad2_rm.pdf}
} }
@ -178,7 +178,7 @@
@Manual{ac97, @Manual{ac97,
year = {1996}, year = {1996},
title = {Overview ofAudio Codec 97}, title = {Overview of Audio Codec '97},
organization = {Intel Corporation}, organization = {Intel Corporation},
author = {Dan Cox}, author = {Dan Cox},
url = {http://euc.jp/periphs/AC97_OVR.PDF} url = {http://euc.jp/periphs/AC97_OVR.PDF}

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@ -1 +0,0 @@
\def \tikzexternallocked {0}

BIN
main.pdf (Stored with Git LFS)

Binary file not shown.

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@ -2,11 +2,7 @@
\usepackage{subfiles} \usepackage{subfiles}
\begin{document} \begin{document}
\selectlanguage{ngerman}
% Correct numeral usage in footnotes, figures and listings % Correct numeral usage in footnotes, figures and listings
\renewcommand{\thefootnote}{\Alph{footnote}}
\renewcommand{\thelstlisting}{\Roman{lstlisting}}
\renewcommand{\thefigure}{\roman{figure}}
%/*Header-Einstellung*/ %/*Header-Einstellung*/
\pagestyle{fancy} \pagestyle{fancy}
@ -136,15 +132,15 @@ geschlechtsunabh"angig verstanden werden soll.
\DP\input{sections/DP/textadv/main.tex} \DP\input{sections/DP/textadv/main.tex}
\clearpage \clearpage
\part{FPGA-based System on Chip (SoC)} \AB\subfile{sections/fpga-development.tex}
\AB\subfile{sections/soc/soc.tex}
\AB\subfile{sections/core/core.tex} \AB\subfile{sections/core/core.tex}
\AB\subfile{sections/soc/soc.tex}
%==================================================================================== %====================================================================================
\allAuth \allAuth
\selectlanguage{ngerman}
\clearpage\vfill\newpage{} \clearpage\vfill\newpage{}
%==================================================================================== %====================================================================================
\begin{otherlanguage}{ngerman}
\section{Erkl"arung der Eigenst"andigkeit der Arbeit} \section{Erkl"arung der Eigenst"andigkeit der Arbeit}
\noindent\\[0mm] EIDESSTATTLICHE ERKLÄRUNG \noindent\\[0mm] EIDESSTATTLICHE ERKLÄRUNG
\\[4mm] \\[4mm]
@ -171,38 +167,24 @@ geschlechtsunabh"angig verstanden werden soll.
\rule{70mm}{.5pt}\\ \rule{70mm}{.5pt}\\
\hspace*{3mm} Daniel Plank \hspace*{3mm} Daniel Plank
} }
\end{otherlanguage}
%==================================================================================== %====================================================================================
\clearpage\vfill\newpage{} \clearpage\vfill\newpage{}
\pagenumbering{Roman}
%==================================================================================== %====================================================================================
\selectlanguage{english}
\renewcommand{\thesection}{\Roman{section}\;}
\setcounter{section}{0}
\listoffigures\thispagestyle{fancy} \listoffigures\thispagestyle{fancy}
\listoftables\thispagestyle{fancy} \listoftables\thispagestyle{fancy}
\lstlistoflistings\thispagestyle{fancy} \lstlistoflistings\thispagestyle{fancy}
\printbibliography[title={Literaturverzeichnis}] \printbibliography
%==================================================================================== %====================================================================================
\clearpage\vfill\newpage{} \clearpage\vfill\newpage{}
%==================================================================================== %====================================================================================
\noindent\\[-2mm]
\hspace*{3mm}{\sc\textbf{\Large Anhang}}
\noindent\\[-5mm]
% %
% %
\cfoot{Anhang}
\addcontentsline{toc}{section}{Anhang}
\appendix
\renewcommand{\thesection}{\Alph{section}}
\setcounter{section}{1}
\setcounter{subsection}{0}
%\subsection{Pflichtenheft} \begin{appendices}
%\input{sections/Anhang/Pflichtenheft/pflichtenheftMR.tex} \cfoot{Appendices}
% \section{Projektmanagement}
%\newpage
\subsection{Schlussfolgerung / Projekterfahrung} \subsection{Schlussfolgerung / Projekterfahrung}
\input{sections/Anhang/schlussfolgerung.tex} \input{sections/Anhang/schlussfolgerung.tex}
\subsection{Projektplanung} \subsection{Projektplanung}
@ -214,6 +196,7 @@ geschlechtsunabh"angig verstanden werden soll.
%\MR\input{sections/Anhang/Arbeitsnachweis/arbeitsnachweisMR.tex} %\MR\input{sections/Anhang/Arbeitsnachweis/arbeitsnachweisMR.tex}
\AB\subfile{sections/vhdl_intro/vhdl_intro.tex} \AB\subfile{sections/vhdl_intro/vhdl_intro.tex}
\end{appendices}
\clearpage \clearpage
\label{LastPage} \label{LastPage}

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@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ minimum height=1cm, align=center, text width=3cm, draw=black, fill=blue!30]
\newcommand\TikZ{Ti\textit{k}Z} \newcommand\TikZ{Ti\textit{k}Z}
\usepackage{booktabs} \usepackage{booktabs}
\usepackage[toc,page]{appendix} \usepackage[title,toc,titletoc,page]{appendix}
\newcommand{\HtlHeader}[0]{% \newcommand{\HtlHeader}[0]{%
%\hspace*{-11mm}% %\hspace*{-11mm}%

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@ -103,11 +103,11 @@ Table \ref{tab:plank_work} shows the times worked.
\hline \hline
2020-01-26 & 6.25 & Attempting interaction with 16550 no output\\ 2020-01-26 & 6.25 & Attempting interaction with 16550 no output\\
\hline \hline
2020-02-01 & 3 & Attempting interaction with 16550 quartz doesnt oscillate\\ 2020-02-01 & 3 & Attempting interaction with 16550 quartz doesn't oscillate\\
\hline \hline
2020-02-07 & 5.5 & Attempting to make 1.8432MHz oscillators oscillate\\ 2020-02-07 & 5.5 & Attempting to make 1.8432MHz oscillators oscillate\\
\hline \hline
2020-02-08 & 3 & Oscillation succeeded finaly\\ 2020-02-08 & 3 & Oscillation succeeded\dots{} finaly\\
\hline \hline
2020-02-09 & 7.75 & Transmit character in serial via 16550\\ 2020-02-09 & 7.75 & Transmit character in serial via 16550\\
\hline \hline

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@ -123,8 +123,9 @@ MAX-232 as the C1 has to the 16550-UART.
\subsubsection{Demonstration Software} \subsubsection{Demonstration Software}
To demonstrate the functionality and prove that the schematic has no underlying To demonstrate the functionality and prove that the schematic has no underlying
error, a program which regularly transmits a character was written as well as error, a program which regularly transmits a character as well as
a simple echo program, which transmits all received characters. Both programs a simple echo program, which transmits all received characters are used.
Both programs
transmit 8 bit characters without parity at 38400 Baud. The output for program transmit 8 bit characters without parity at 38400 Baud. The output for program
one can be seen in Figure \ref{fig:uart232} and the output for program two in one can be seen in Figure \ref{fig:uart232} and the output for program two in
Figure \ref{fig:232_echo}. Figure \ref{fig:232_echo}.
@ -150,7 +151,7 @@ Figure \ref{fig:232_echo}.
\paragraph{Transmit code} \paragraph{Transmit code}
The transmit code regularly transmits the letter capital A via the 16550 UART. The transmit code regularly transmits the letter capital A via the 16550 UART.
Before it can do this it needs to perform some initialisations. The Some initialisation is required beforehand. The
functions shown in Listing \ref{lst:16550-general} are the read and write functions shown in Listing \ref{lst:16550-general} are the read and write
routines for accessing the 16550 UART. These routines also apply to the echo routines for accessing the 16550 UART. These routines also apply to the echo
code. code.
@ -189,8 +190,8 @@ SOUT lane of the 16550 UART can be seen in Figure \ref{fig:16550A}
The echo code permanently polls the 16550 UART wether a character has been The echo code permanently polls the 16550 UART wether a character has been
received, and if yes, reads it from the receiver holding register and writes it received, and if yes, reads it from the receiver holding register and writes it
back to the tx holding register. The output of this code can be seen in Figure back to the tx holding register. The output of this code can be seen in Figure
\ref{fig:232_echo}. The initialisation is practically the same as for the \ref{fig:232_echo}. The initialisation is practically the same for the
transmission code, as well as the read and write routines in Listing echo code as well as the read and write routines in Listing
\ref{lst:16550-general}. \ref{lst:16550-general}.
\lstinputlisting[language=C,frame=trBL, \lstinputlisting[language=C,frame=trBL,

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@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
\subsection{Audio Digital-Analog-Converter} \subsection{Audio Digital-Analog-Converter}
A digital to analog converter takes a digital number and converts it to a A digital to analog converter takes a digital number and converts it to a
analog signal. The output of one such conversion is called a sample. With analog signal. The output of such a conversion is called a sample. With
enough samples per second various different waveforms can be produced, which, enough samples per second various different waveforms can be produced, which,
when amplified and put onto a speaker, can be heared by the human ear as a tone. when amplified and put onto a speaker, can be heared by the human ear as a tone.
With various tones in series a melody can be produced, which is what the DAC in With various tones in series a melody can be produced, which is what the DAC in
@ -10,15 +10,16 @@ this implementation does.
\subsubsection{TLC 7528 Dual R2R Ladder DAC} \subsubsection{TLC 7528 Dual R2R Ladder DAC}
The TLC 7528 is a Dual output parallel input R2R Ladder DAC with a maximum The TLC 7528 is a Dual output parallel input R2R Ladder DAC with a maximum
sample rate of 10MHz \cite{tlc7528}, and which (should be) is monotonic over the sample rate of 10MHz \cite{tlc7528}, and which (should be
entire D/A Conversion Range. The TLC-7528 was the only component chosen, where \footnote{See Figure \ref{fig:tlc7528_saw_nonlin}}) is monotonic over the
availability was not a factor, but rather it's design. It is the cheapest entire D/A Conversion Range. The TLC-7528 is the only component chosen, where
dual R2R Ladder dac which takes \textbf{PARALLEL} input, which is an important availability is not a factor, but rather it's design. It is the cheapest
dual R2R Ladder DAC which takes \textbf{PARALLEL} input, which is an important
feature, because the backbone of the project is its parallel bus. Further the feature, because the backbone of the project is its parallel bus. Further the
DAC was developed for audio aplications\cite{tlc7528} which made its use obvious DAC was developed for audio aplications\cite{tlc7528}, which made its use
and the TLC-7528 was the only IC available as DIP obvious. The TLC-7528 was the only IC available as DIP
\footnote{DIP... Dual Inline Package}, of which the pinout can be seen in Figure \footnote{DIP... Dual Inline Package}, of which the pinout can be seen in Figure
\ref{fig:tlc7528_pinout} \ref{fig:tlc7528_pinout}.
\begin{figure}[H] \begin{figure}[H]
\centering \centering
@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ and the TLC-7528 was the only IC available as DIP
\subsubsection{IDT7201 CMOS FIFO Buffer} \subsubsection{IDT7201 CMOS FIFO Buffer}
The IDT7201 is an asychronous CMOS FIFO, which means that it can be read with The IDT7201 is an asychronous CMOS FIFO. That means, that it can be read with
a completely independant speed from which it is written and vice versa. It has a completely independant speed from which it is written and vice versa. It has
9 bit words, which can be seen in Figure \ref{fig:idt7201_pinout}, and can 9 bit words, which can be seen in Figure \ref{fig:idt7201_pinout}, and can
store up to 256 words\cite{idt7201}. It is used as a buffer store up to 256 words\cite{idt7201}. It is used as a buffer
@ -102,7 +103,7 @@ Based on the descriptions in the datasheets the schematic in figure
Diodes D1 through D4 are used as OR-Gates in conjunction with R1 and R2 to Diodes D1 through D4 are used as OR-Gates in conjunction with R1 and R2 to
generate the $\lnot MODRD$ and $\lnot MODWR$ signals for the D Flip-Flop generate the $\lnot MODRD$ and $\lnot MODWR$ signals for the D Flip-Flop
\footnote{74HC374\cite{74hc374}} and FIFO respectively, by these formulas: \footnote{74HC374\cite{74hc374}} and FIFO respectively by these formulas:
$\lnot MODRD = \lnot RD \lor \lnot MS2$ $\lnot MODRD = \lnot RD \lor \lnot MS2$
@ -111,22 +112,23 @@ $\lnot MODWR = \lnot WR \lor \lnot MS2$
On a read access the output enable of the D-Latch becomes low, which writes On a read access the output enable of the D-Latch becomes low, which writes
the status bits of the FIFO onto the data bus. C1, C2 and C3 are for stability the status bits of the FIFO onto the data bus. C1, C2 and C3 are for stability
reasons and are good practice similar to the UART module. 74HC00 is a quad reasons and are good practice similar to the UART module. 74HC00 is a quad
NAND-Gate\cite{74hc00} which is only used for inversion, chosen, like the NAND-Gate\cite{74hc00}, which is only used for inversion, chosen, like the
74HC374, for availability reasons. The A part of the NAND-Gate inverts the $MR$ 74HC374, for availability reasons. The A part of the NAND-Gate inverts the $MR$
signal from the bus to a $\lnot MR$ signal, as the FIFOs reset is low active. signal from the bus to a $\lnot MR$ signal, as the FIFOs reset is low active.
The B part of the NAND-Gate inverts the FIFO Empty flag. It's output is The B part of the NAND-Gate inverts the FIFO Empty flag. It's output is
connected to the $\lnot WR$ input of the DAC, which means that the DAC doesn't connected to the $\lnot WR$ input of the DAC, which means, that the DAC doesn't
convert the input anymore, if the FIFO Empty flag is set to low. convert the input anymore, if the FIFO Empty flag is set to low.
The NE555 generates the audio clock signal, which should be the double of The NE555 generates the audio clock signal, which should be the double of
44.1kHz\footnote{Because we have 2 output channels} as 44.1kHz is the standard 44.1kHz\footnote{Because we have 2 output channels}, as 44.1kHz is the standard
samling rate of CD-Audio\cite{iec60908}. Resistors R9 and R10 togehter with C7 samling rate of CD-Audio\cite{iec60908} and 2 channels need to be sampled.
Resistors R9 and R10 togehter with C7
form the Oscillator part of the NE55. C4 is for stability reasons and doesn't form the Oscillator part of the NE55. C4 is for stability reasons and doesn't
define the frequency of the oscillator. define the frequency of the oscillator.
The generated clock is used for the $\lnot RD$ of the FIFO and inverted on the The generated clock is used for the $\lnot RD$ of the FIFO and inverted on the
DAC, which makes the data available on the output before being stored into the DAC, which makes the data available on the output before being stored into the
DAC as it receives the signal to store the data after the FIFO makes it DAC, as it receives the signal to store the data, after the FIFO makes it
available on the bus. available on the bus.
The DAC is operated in voltage mode, as described in Figure \ref{fig:tlc7528_volt}, The DAC is operated in voltage mode, as described in Figure \ref{fig:tlc7528_volt},
@ -142,7 +144,7 @@ $f_C = \frac{1}{2\pi R C} = \frac{1}{2\times \pi\times 10K\Omega\times 100\mu F
which should cover the hearable spectrum. The high pass was needed to generate which should cover the hearable spectrum. The high pass was needed to generate
a positive and negative half of the wave form, as the DC-Offset with a frequency a positive and negative half of the wave form, as the DC-Offset with a frequency
of 0Hz is orders of magnitudes lower than the $f_C$ of the highpass gets of 0Hz is orders of magnitudes lower, than the $f_C$ of the highpass gets
filtered away. filtered away.
R7 and R8 have been installed in order to unload the capacitors after device R7 and R8 have been installed in order to unload the capacitors after device
@ -303,7 +305,7 @@ The look-up table has a size of 256, which is the maximum value an 8 bit integer
can take. This size was chosen to make operation faster as it only takes can take. This size was chosen to make operation faster as it only takes
one cycle to load an array value into a register and another one to store it one cycle to load an array value into a register and another one to store it
into the GPIO register. The sine table in further examples was pre-genrated on into the GPIO register. The sine table in further examples was pre-genrated on
the compiling host to reduce startup time. The mothod shown in listing the compiling host to reduce startup time. The method shown in listing
\ref{lst:dac_sine_lut} is not fast due to the lack of a floating point unit \ref{lst:dac_sine_lut} is not fast due to the lack of a floating point unit
on the AVR. \cite{atmega2560} on the AVR. \cite{atmega2560}
@ -344,12 +346,12 @@ on the AVR. \cite{atmega2560}
\subsubsection{Addressing DACA and DACB} \subsubsection{Addressing DACA and DACB}
The DAC used has 2 output channels which can be selected by the The DAC used has 2 output channels, which can be selected by the
$\lnot DACA/DACB$ pin as seen in figure \ref{fig:tlc7528_pinout}. This pin was $\lnot DACA/DACB$ pin as seen in figure \ref{fig:tlc7528_pinout}. This pin was
mapped to bit 0 of the address bus in order to make use of it. Bit 8 on the fifo mapped to bit 0 of the address bus in order to make use of it. Bit 8 on the fifo
was used to store the bit. It was not implemented with half the bus clock to was used to store the bit. It is not implemented with half the bus clock to
make both channels independent of each other. This however uses more time on the make both channels independent of each other. This however uses more time on the
backend because it means the fifo is used up at twice the speed. No current backend because it means the FIFO is used up at twice the speed. No current
example makes use of this, but it may be used in future examples and example makes use of this, but it may be used in future examples and
implementations on this unit. implementations on this unit.

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@ -1,13 +1,14 @@
\subsection{FPGA to Hardware interface} \subsection{FPGA to Hardware interface}
To make the Hardware work with the FPGA's 3.3V I/O, level shifter have been To make the Hardware work with the FPGA's 3.3V I/O, level shifter have been
installed and a FPGA module was built. This module maps the IO/Pins in a similar installed, and a FPGA module was built. This module maps the I/O Pins in a
similar
way to the ATMega 2560 used in examples before. The bidirectional 5V<->3.3V way to the ATMega 2560 used in examples before. The bidirectional 5V<->3.3V
logic level converters have been obtained on amazon, and have not been well logic level converters have been obtained on amazon, and are not well
documented. Their functionality has been tested and verified in both directions, documented. Their functionality is tested and verified in both directions,
which can be seen in figures \ref{fig:3v35v} and \ref{fig:5v3v3}. The schematic which can be seen in figures \ref{fig:3v35v} and \ref{fig:5v3v3}. The schematic
has also been determined through measurements with a multimeter and the was determined through measurements with a multimeter, and the
schematic in figure \ref{fig:schem_lvlshift} shows similar resistor values in schematic in Figure \ref{fig:schem_lvlshift} shows similar resistor values in
the same configuration \cite{lvlshift}. the same configuration \cite{lvlshift}.
\begin{figure}[H] \begin{figure}[H]
@ -31,8 +32,8 @@ the same configuration \cite{lvlshift}.
\label{fig:3v35v} \label{fig:3v35v}
\end{figure} \end{figure}
The in figure \ref{fig:3v35v} shown output on the HV side, corresponds with the The in Figure \ref{fig:3v35v} shown output on the HV side corresponds with the
schematics in figure \ref{fig:schem_lvlshift} where it can be seen that the schematics in Figure \ref{fig:schem_lvlshift}, where one can see, that the
resistor R2 is loading the bus capacitance to a 5V high state. resistor R2 is loading the bus capacitance to a 5V high state.
\begin{figure}[H] \begin{figure}[H]
@ -67,7 +68,7 @@ resistor R2 is loading the bus capacitance to a 5V high state.
During an attempt to measure wether the level shifters in the final module were During an attempt to measure wether the level shifters in the final module were
working, a measurement between the LV and the HV side showed only a difference working, a measurement between the LV and the HV side showed only a difference
of 0.7V. After some troubleshooting, it was found that the Analog Discovery has of 0.7V. After some troubleshooting, it was found, that the Analog Discovery has
clamping diodes against the 3.3V rail shown in figure \ref{fig:ad2_diode}. These clamping diodes against the 3.3V rail shown in figure \ref{fig:ad2_diode}. These
diodes produce the 0.7V offset and prevent the parallel bus from rising to diodes produce the 0.7V offset and prevent the parallel bus from rising to
5V when a digial I/O pin of the Analog Discovery 2 is connected to the bus. 5V when a digial I/O pin of the Analog Discovery 2 is connected to the bus.

View file

@ -9,11 +9,12 @@ one developed.
\subsubsection{General definitions and pinout of the AVR} \subsubsection{General definitions and pinout of the AVR}
Like the before examples, the textadventure was implemented on an ATMega2560 Like the examples seen before, the textadventure was implemented on an
ATMega2560
and uses 3 different Registers for transmission: PORTF, PORTK and PORTL for and uses 3 different Registers for transmission: PORTF, PORTK and PORTL for
address bus, data bus and control bus respectively, as can be seen in listing address bus, data bus and control bus respectively, as can be seen in listing
\ref{lst:textadv-avr.h} \ref{lst:textadv-avr.h}
\newpage
\lstinputlisting[language=C,frame=trBL, \lstinputlisting[language=C,frame=trBL,
breaklines=true, breakautoindent=true, formfeed=\newpage, breaklines=true, breakautoindent=true, formfeed=\newpage,
label={lst:textadv-avr.h}, caption={The avr.h header file}, label={lst:textadv-avr.h}, caption={The avr.h header file},
@ -25,8 +26,9 @@ RD_SHIFT, CS_UART_SHIFT and CS_DAC_SHIFT are used to indicate the position of
the corresponding control lines inside the control bus register. All other the corresponding control lines inside the control bus register. All other
shift values are the same bitordering in input as in output. shift values are the same bitordering in input as in output.
The BUS_HOLD_US is used to tell the avr how many microseconds it takes for the The macro BUS_HOLD_US is used to tell the AVR how many microseconds it takes for
data bus to be latched into input register of the devices on write or how long the
data bus to be latched into input register of the devices on write, or how long
it takes for the data bus to become stable on read. A delay of less than 1 it takes for the data bus to become stable on read. A delay of less than 1
microsecond is not possible due to limitations of the AVR and the bus capacity, microsecond is not possible due to limitations of the AVR and the bus capacity,
which increases the BER\footnote{BER...Bit Error Ratio} to a level which effects which increases the BER\footnote{BER...Bit Error Ratio} to a level which effects
@ -48,7 +50,7 @@ respective modules for updates as can be seen in listings
\ref{lst:textadv-routine-uart} and \ref{lst:textadv-routine-dac}. When a \ref{lst:textadv-routine-uart} and \ref{lst:textadv-routine-dac}. When a
character is received, it is stored inside a bufer array and regular operation character is received, it is stored inside a bufer array and regular operation
continues. If the $\lnot EF$ status bit is set in a read from the dac, the continues. If the $\lnot EF$ status bit is set in a read from the dac, the
feed\_dac function is called which stores 256 bytes into the DAC and regular feed\_dac function is called, which stores 256 bytes into the DAC, and regular
operation continues. operation continues.
\lstinputlisting[language=C,frame=trBL, \lstinputlisting[language=C,frame=trBL,
@ -72,9 +74,9 @@ operation continues.
\subsubsection{Program execution path} \subsubsection{Program execution path}
On microprocessors it is required to not leave a return path for programs, as On microprocessors it is required to not leave a return path for programs, as
a return path would lead to the microcontroller either resetting, or seicing to a return path would lead to the microcontroller either resetting or seicing to
work until the next power cut. Therefore the program performs all it's tasks in work until the next power cut. Therefore the program performs all it's tasks in
an infinte loop. This loop can be seen in listing \ref{lst:textadv-routine} and an infinite loop. This loop can be seen in listing \ref{lst:textadv-routine} and
in figure \ref{fig:textadv_pexfl}. in figure \ref{fig:textadv_pexfl}.
\begin{figure}[H] \begin{figure}[H]
@ -92,15 +94,15 @@ The DAC can produce any waveform described by 8 bit unsigned PCM code. Though
possible to feed predefined waveforms into the DAC, the AVR doesn't have enough possible to feed predefined waveforms into the DAC, the AVR doesn't have enough
onboard memory to store more than a few seconds of these waveforms. onboard memory to store more than a few seconds of these waveforms.
For example to store one second of 8 bit unsigned PCM Code at 2 times 44.1KHz For exampl: To store one second of 8 bit unsigned PCM Code at 2 times 44.1KHz
sampling rate of the DAC, the AVR would have to store sampling rate of the DAC the AVR would have to store
$s = 2 \times 44100\frac{Bytes}{s}*1s = 2\times 44100 Bytes = 88.2KB$, but it $s = 2 \times 44100\frac{Bytes}{s}*1s = 2\times 44100 Bytes = 88.2KB$, but it
has only a total of 256KB of onboard flash\cite{atmega2560} which makes for a has only a total of 256KB of onboard flash\cite{atmega2560} which results in a
total track lengh of $ t = \frac{256KB}{88.2\frac{KB}{s}} = 2.9s$ with only total track lengh of $ t = \frac{256KB}{88.2\frac{KB}{s}} = 2.9s$ with only
one track. one track.
Therefore the AVR generates the audio on runtime. To do that it has 6 builtin Therefore the AVR generates the audio during runtime. In order to do that it has
modes in which it can run, as can be seen in listing 6 modes in which it can operate, as can be seen in Listing
\ref{lst:textadv-dac-modes}: \ref{lst:textadv-dac-modes}:
\begin{enumerate} \begin{enumerate}
@ -129,7 +131,7 @@ To perform these tasks the DAC takes two parameters, again seen in listing
\ref{lst:textadv-dac-modes}: \ref{lst:textadv-dac-modes}:
\begin{itemize} \begin{itemize}
\item{A frequency deviation:} \item{A frequency deviation:}
Used to tell the dac how much the desired frequency deviates Used to tell the DAC how much the desired frequency deviates
from the base frequency of each waveform. from the base frequency of each waveform.
\item{A mode:} \item{A mode:}
Used to tell it which waveform to generate Used to tell it which waveform to generate
@ -154,9 +156,9 @@ a waveform at a specific frequency played for a specific time. To perform the
specific time functionality independant of DAC speed, an ISR specific time functionality independant of DAC speed, an ISR
\footnote{ISR...Interrupt Service Routine} on the AVR was used to change to \footnote{ISR...Interrupt Service Routine} on the AVR was used to change to
the next tone every millisecond. A track is an array of tones with an end marker the next tone every millisecond. A track is an array of tones with an end marker
tone at the end which is a tone with a length of 0ms. The end marker tone tells tone at the end, which is a tone with a length of 0ms. The end marker tone tells
the ISR to reset to the initial tone. The ISR can be seen in listing the ISR to reset to the initial tone. The ISR can be seen in Listing
\ref{lst:textadv-isr} and the sound update function, which actually updates the \ref{lst:textadv-isr}, and the sound update function, which actually updates the
current tone and is responsible for playing a track in listing current tone and is responsible for playing a track in listing
\ref{lst:textadv-upsnd}. The output of an example track can be seen in \ref{lst:textadv-upsnd}. The output of an example track can be seen in
figures \ref{fig:textadv_track_ex1} and \ref{fig:textadv_track_ex2}. figures \ref{fig:textadv_track_ex1} and \ref{fig:textadv_track_ex2}.
@ -222,8 +224,8 @@ figures \ref{fig:textadv_track_ex1} and \ref{fig:textadv_track_ex2}.
To switch tracks on different actions, there is a map of tracks associated with To switch tracks on different actions, there is a map of tracks associated with
rooms. Every room has an associated track, where the association can change on rooms. Every room has an associated track, where the association can change on
actions performed, which allows for a game atmosphere change. Track changes are actions performed, which allows for a game atmosphere change. Track changes are
performed outside the ISR, which could theoretically result in a race condition performed outside the ISR, which could theoretically result in a race condition,
where the ISR would load a faulty track for 1ms if the track change was not where the ISR would load a faulty track for 1ms, if the track change was not
performed fast enough, but this is prevented by disabling global interrupts performed fast enough, but this is prevented by disabling global interrupts
during a track change. during a track change.
@ -232,21 +234,23 @@ during a track change.
\subsubsection{Command structure and parsing} \subsubsection{Command structure and parsing}
As in other text adventures \cite{dunnet} a command consits of one line of As in other text adventures \cite{dunnet} a command consits of one line of
input terminated by a newline or line feed character \textbackslash n. input terminated by a newline or line feed character \textbackslash n.
The carriage return character which is sometimes transmitted with a line The carriage return character, which is sometimes transmitted with a line
feed character is not parsed in this text adventure. Incoming character feed character, is not parsed in this text adventure. Incoming character
parsing can be seen in listings \ref{lst:textadv-routine-uart} and parsing can be seen in Listings \ref{lst:textadv-routine-uart} and
\ref{lst:textadv-ingest}. \ref{lst:textadv-ingest}.
As one command is parsed each part is required to be separated by an empty As one command is parsed, each part is required to be separated by an empty
space character which is ascii code 32 \cite{ascii}. The first part of the given space character, which is ascii code 32 \cite{ascii}. The first part of the
given
input is then compared to an array of actions a user can perform, for example input is then compared to an array of actions a user can perform, for example
use or search, as can be seen in listing \ref{lst:textadv-parsecmd} use or search, as can be seen in Listing \ref{lst:textadv-parsecmd}
In listing \ref{lst:textadv-routine-uart} the comment echo back can be seen. The In listing \ref{lst:textadv-routine-uart} the comment echo back can be seen. The
write\_char function before it writes the last received character back to the write\_char function, writes it's parameter to the user., in this case the
terminal which sent it. This is done to write what the user typed out to the input sent by the user.
terminal as otherwise it would not be seen what has been typed on any VT100 This is done to write what the user typed out to the
compatiable terminal\cite{vt100} or terminal emulator. terminal as otherwise one would not be able to see what has been typed on any
VT100 compatiable terminal\cite{vt100} or terminal emulator.
\lstinputlisting[language=C,frame=trBL, \lstinputlisting[language=C,frame=trBL,
breaklines=true, breakautoindent=true, formfeed=\newpage, breaklines=true, breakautoindent=true, formfeed=\newpage,
@ -254,12 +258,12 @@ compatiable terminal\cite{vt100} or terminal emulator.
columns=flexible, style=cstyle, firstline=73, lastline=81] columns=flexible, style=cstyle, firstline=73, lastline=81]
{code/textadv/src/game.c} {code/textadv/src/game.c}
The in listing \ref{lst:textadv-ingest} shown branch overrides the last received The in Listing \ref{lst:textadv-ingest} shown branch overrides the last received
character with 0x00 which is ascii NUL and decrements the buffer pointer by one character with 0x00, which is ascii NUL, and decrements the buffer pointer by
if the received character was 0x7F. 0x7F is the ADCII DELETE character one if the received character was 0x7F. 0x7F is the ADCII DELETE character
\cite{ascii} which instructs the receiving end that the last received character \cite{ascii} which instructs the receiving end, that the last received character
was a mistake and should be purged. This is also what a vt100 compiant terminal was a mistake and should be purged. This is also what a vt100 compiant terminal
emulator sends when the backspace or delete key is pressed \cite{vt100}. emulator sends, when the backspace or delete key is pressed \cite{vt100}.
\lstinputlisting[language=C,frame=trBL, \lstinputlisting[language=C,frame=trBL,
breaklines=true, breakautoindent=true, formfeed=\newpage, breaklines=true, breakautoindent=true, formfeed=\newpage,
@ -269,15 +273,15 @@ emulator sends when the backspace or delete key is pressed \cite{vt100}.
\subsubsection{Command parameters} \subsubsection{Command parameters}
Command paramters are interpreted as the string that follows the action Command paramters are interpreted as the string, that follows the action
and the space behind it. As can be seen in the case for ACTION\_USE in and the space behind it. As can be seen in the case for ACTION\_USE in
listing \ref{lst:textadv-perfact} the use item function is passed the Listing \ref{lst:textadv-perfact}, the use item function is passed the
command buffer\footnote{which is an address in memory} plus the length of the command buffer\footnote{which is an address in memory} plus the length of the
entered command plus one for the space. So the string starting at the passed entered command plus one for the space. So the string starting at the passed
address should match the start address of the parameter. If no parameter is address should match the start address of the parameter. If no parameter is
supplied, the address should point to a character containing ASCII NUL, which supplied, the address should point to a character containing ASCII NUL, which
marks the end of a string, bcause after comand parsing the string is overwritten marks the end of a string, because after command parsing, the string is
with zeros as seen in listing \ref{lst:textadv-parsecmd}. overwritten with zeros as seen in Listing \ref{lst:textadv-parsecmd}.
\lstinputlisting[language=C,frame=trBL, \lstinputlisting[language=C,frame=trBL,
breaklines=true, breakautoindent=true, formfeed=\newpage, breaklines=true, breakautoindent=true, formfeed=\newpage,
@ -288,7 +292,7 @@ with zeros as seen in listing \ref{lst:textadv-parsecmd}.
\subsection{Gameplay} \subsection{Gameplay}
The game itself plays like a regular game with limtations set in direction. The game itself plays like a regular game with limtations set in direction.
Playeras can search for items in each room and grab the found items as can be Players can search for items in each room and grab the found items as can be
seen in figure \ref{fig:tetadv_gameplay}. The general gamplay is perfomred via seen in figure \ref{fig:tetadv_gameplay}. The general gamplay is perfomred via
altering the map data and the strings output to the user. altering the map data and the strings output to the user.
@ -301,45 +305,45 @@ altering the map data and the strings output to the user.
\subsubsection{Memory constraints} \subsubsection{Memory constraints}
The AVR has 8kB of internal SRAM which are used for stack and heap The AVR has 8kB of internal SRAM, which are used for stack and heap
\cite{atmega2560}. During the build of the program an ELF file can be obtained \cite{atmega2560}. During the build of the program an ELF file can be obtained,
which contains infromation on the programs structure and memory usage on boot. which contains infromation on the programs structure and memory usage on boot.
Strings and variables are contained within the .data section of the elf file, Strings and variables are contained within the .data section of the elf file
and loaded into memory during boot\cite{elf}. This is done for integer and loaded into memory during boot\cite{elf}. This is done for integer
variables, as well as for strings, which makes the use of strings limited not variables as well as for strings, which makes the use of strings limited not
to the flash size but to the RAM size of the AVR. To save memory, sound tracks to the flash size but to the RAM size of the AVR. To save memory, sound tracks
as well as the sine and noise table have been put into program space with the as well as the sine and noise table have been put into program space with the
PROGMEM attribute as described by the avr-libc documentation\cite{progmem}. PROGMEM attribute as described by the avr-libc documentation\cite{progmem}.
In listing \ref{lst:textadv-dac-gen} a read from program memory can be seen in In listing \ref{lst:textadv-dac-gen} a read from program memory can be seen in
the noise and sine modes. Strings have not been put into programmspace as this the noise and sine modes. Strings have not been put into programmspace, as this
would require each string to be declared independantly and then be put into would require each string to be declared independantly and then be put into
arrays\cite{progmem} as is done now, which would make the code much less arrays\cite{progmem} as is done now. Which would make the code much less
readable and increase overhead As well as make the usage of buffers nescessary readable and increase overhead as well as make the usage of buffers nescessary
in order for the override of the printf function to work. in order for the override of the printf function to work.
\subsubsection{Story} \subsubsection{Story}
The basics of the storyline are that you wake up in the middle of a forest and The basics of the storyline are, that you wake up in the middle of a forest and
don't remember anything. You have to get through the forest to an old house, don't remember anything. You have to get through the forest to an old house,
while having to get rid of a bear which is blocking the way. Inside the house while having to get rid of a bear, which is blocking the way. Inside the house
you have to get a computer to start. The game then proceeds to get recursive and you have to get a computer to start. The game then proceeds to get recursive,
your goal is to break out of the recursion. and your goal is to break out of the recursion.
\subsubsection{Recursion} \subsubsection{Recursion}
The game, when performing the recursion, resets your inventory and internal The game, when performing the recursion, resets your inventory and internal
state machines, before putting you back to the starting point. However by state machines, before putting you back to the starting point. However, by
altering the orientation of rooms, altering the list of items found inside rooms altering the orientation of rooms, altering the list of items found inside rooms
and by altering the texts output by the game, the atmosphere can be changed, and and by altering the texts output by the game, the atmosphere and
the outcome changed. the outcome changed.
\subsubsection{Computer State Machine} \subsubsection{Computer State Machine}
One example of a state machine inside the game is the computer inside the One example of a state machine inside the game is the computer inside the
old-house. The computer needs three items: a keyboard to type on, something to old-house. The computer needs three items: A keyboard to type on, something to
boot from, for example a floppy disk, and a screwdriver to start it. The state boot from, for example a floppy disk, and a screwdriver to start it. The state
machine implementation can be seen in listing \ref{lst:textadv-fsm} and the machine implementation can be seen in Listing \ref{lst:textadv-fsm} and the
state diagram in figure \ref{fig:textadv_compfsm}. state diagram in Figure \ref{fig:textadv_compfsm}.
\lstinputlisting[language=C,frame=trBL, \lstinputlisting[language=C,frame=trBL,
breaklines=true, breakautoindent=true, formfeed=\newpage, breaklines=true, breakautoindent=true, formfeed=\newpage,

View file

@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ anschaulich den
Aufbau eines Computersystems in Hard- und Software zu veranschaulichen Aufbau eines Computersystems in Hard- und Software zu veranschaulichen
sowie diesen zu erklären. Dafür wurde auf einem XILINX FPGA ein RISC-V32I sowie diesen zu erklären. Dafür wurde auf einem XILINX FPGA ein RISC-V32I
Prozessor in VHDL Prozessor in VHDL
implementiert sowie diverse Parallelbus gebundene Hardwareperipherie entwickelt implementiert, sowie diverse Parallelbus-gebundene Hardwareperipherie entwickelt
und gebaut. Als Harwareperipherie wurde ein 8-Bit 2-Kanal DAC und eine serielle und gebaut. Als Harwareperipherie wurde ein 8-Bit 2-Kanal DAC und eine serielle
Schnittstelle mit TIA-/EIA-232 Pegeln gewählt. Der Prozessor implementiert das Schnittstelle mit TIA-/EIA-232 Pegeln gewählt. Der Prozessor implementiert das
RISC-V32I base instruction set. Aufgrund der starken Verwendung von Englisch im RISC-V32I base instruction set. Aufgrund der starken Verwendung von Englisch im
@ -17,14 +17,14 @@ Menschen mit einem grundlegenden Verständnis für Elektronik sowie der Hardware
Beschreibungssprache VHDL verständlich sein. Beschreibungssprache VHDL verständlich sein.
\end{otherlanguage} \end{otherlanguage}
\\\\ \\\\
This diploma thesis deals with the operation of processors and their This diploma thesis demonstrates the operation of processors and their
corresponding peripherals in modern and traditional forms. It attempts to corresponding peripherals, both in modern and traditional forms. It attempts to
illustrate the structure of a computersystem in hard- and software. To reach illustrate the structure of a computer system in hard- and software. To reach
this goal a RISC-V32I processor has been implemented in VHDL on a XILINX FPGA this goal, a RISC-V processor was implemented in VHDL on a Xilinx FPGA and some
as well as some peripherals bound to the parallel bus. These peripherals parallel bus peripherals were designed using discrete hardware. These peripherals
include a 2-channel 8-bit Digital to analog converter as well as a TIA-/EIA-232 include a 2-channel 8-bit digital-to-analog converter as well as a TIA-/EIA-232
compliant serial interface. Due to the common use of english in the hardware and compliant serial interface. Due to the common use of english in the hardware and
software engineering field this thesis is written in english, which software engineering field, and in a resulting effort to increase readability,
enhances readability as well. The written documentation should be comprehensible this thesis is written in English. The written documentation should be comprehensible
for everyone with a basic understanding of electronics as well as the for anyone with a basic understanding of electronics as well as the
hardware description language VHDL. hardware description language VHDL.

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@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
\documentclass[../../Diplomschrift.tex]{subfiles}
\begin{document}
\section{FPGA Development}
The project started out with the desire to build a CPU from scratch. Examples such as The NAND Game~\cite{nandgame} and Ben Eater's Breadboard Computer series~\cite{breadboard_computer} served as inspirations and guidance during development.
At first, a design similar to Ben Eater's, consisting solely of discrete integrated circuits, was considered, but soon discarded in favor of an FPGA-based design. Designing the logic alone was a difficult task, implementing it in discrete hardware would have pushed the project far over the allotted maximum development time.
RISC-V was chosen as the instruction set architecture for the processor. Its modular design with a very small base instruction set makes it easy to implement a basic processor that is still fully compatible with existing software and toolchains.
As a starting point, a Terasic DE0 development board\footnote{\url{https://www.terasic.com.tw/cgi-bin/page/archive.pl?No=364}} containing an Altera Cyclone III\footnote{\url{https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/programmable/fpga/cyclone-iii.html}} FPGA was borrowed from the school's inventory. It was used to implement a first version of the core.
The only method of synthesis for Altera devices is to use the proprietary Quartus IDE. However, the last version of Quartus to support the Cyclone III series of FPGAs (version 13.1) had already been out of date for several years at the start of the project. Because of this and the increasing resource demand of the developing core, an Arty A7-35T development board\footnote{\url{https://store.digilentinc.com/arty-a7-artix-7-fpga-development-board-for-makers-and-hobbyists/}} with a Xilinx Artix-7\footnote{\url{https://www.xilinx.com/products/silicon-devices/fpga/artix-7.html}} FPGA was ordered from Digilent.
A comparison between the two FPGAs themselves can be seen in \autoref{tab:fpga-comparison}, a comparison between the peripherals on the development boards in \autoref{tab:devboard-comparison}.
\begin{table}[h]
\centering
\begin{tabular}{l|r|r}
\toprule
& Altera EP3C16 & Xilinx XC7A35T \\
\midrule
Logic Elements & 15000 & 33280 \\
Multipliers & 56 & 90 \\
Block RAM (kb) & 504 & 1800 \\
PLLs & 4 & 5 \\
Global clocks & 20 & 32 \\
\bottomrule
\end{tabular}
\caption{Comparison between Altera and Xilinx FPGAs}
\label{tab:fpga-comparison}
\end{table}
\begin{table}[h]
\centering
\begin{tabular}{l|r|r}
\toprule
& Terasic DE0 & Digilent Arty A7-35T \\
\midrule
Switches & 10 & 4 \\
Buttons & 3 & 4 \\
LEDs & 10 + 4x 7-segment & 4 + 3 RGB \\
GPIOs & 2x 36 & 4x PMOD + chipKIT \\
Memory & 8MB SDRAM & 256MB DDR3L \\
Others & SD card, VGA & Ethernet \\
\bottomrule
\end{tabular}
\caption{Comparison between the peripherals on Terasic and Digilent FPGA development boards}
\label{tab:devboard-comparison}
\end{table}
While the Digilent board offers fewer IO options, the DDR3 memory can be interfaced using Free memory cores and allows for much larger programs to be loaded, possibly even a full operating system. The missing VGA port has been substituted by an HDMI-compatible DVI interface that is accessible through one of the high-speed PMOD connectors.
\subsection{Tooling}
FPGA design is done using a Hardware Description Language (HDL). The two most well-known HDLs are Verilog and VHDL (VHSIC (Very high speed integrated circuit) HDL). As part of our studies at HTL, we exclusively worked with VHDL. For this reason, and because VHDL offers a strong type system~\cite{vhdl-types}, it was selected as the language of choice for the project.
To refresh the reader's memory on the VHDL language, and as a quick guide for the tools involved in this project, see Appendix~\ref{app:vhdl-intro}.
\subsubsection{Vendor Tools}
The conventional way to work with FPGA designs is to use the FPGA vendor's development solution for simulation, synthesis and place-and-route. All of these tools are proprietary software specialized to a certain FPGA manufacturer, so a change of hardware also requires changing to a completely different software solution.
Vendor tools are usually free-of-charge for basic usage, but this also means there is no guaranteed support. During the development of this project, several bugs and missing features were found in vendor tools that required workarounds.
\subsubsection{Free Software Tools}
A somewhat recent development is the creation of Free Software FPGA toolchains. A breakthrough was achieved by Claire (formerly Clifford) Wolf in 2013 with yosys~\cite{yosys-paper, yosys}, a feature-complete Verilog synthesis suite for Lattice's \texttt{iCE40} FPGA series. Since then, both yosys and place-and-route tools like nextpnr~\cite{nextpnr} have matured, however Lattice's iCE40 and ECP5 remained the only supported FPGA architectures for place-and-route.
Thus, two obstacles remained for Free toolchains to be viable for this project: synthesizing \emph{from} VHDL code and synthesizing \emph{to} Artix-7 FPGAs. During the development of the project, both of these were solved: Tristan Gingold released ghdlsynth-beta~\cite{ghdlsynth-beta}, a bridge between GHDL~\cite{ghdl} and yosys allowing VHDL to be synthesized just the same as Verilog, and Dave Shah added Xilinx support to nextpnr~\cite{nextpnr-xilinx}. The latter was preceded by many months of volunteer work reverse-engineering the Xilinx bitstream format as part of \textit{Project X-Ray}~\cite{prjxray}.
With these two pieces in place, the project was switched over to a completely Free toolchain, removing any depencies on vendor tools:
\begin{itemize}
\item yosys, with ghdl as a frontend for processing VHDL and ghdlsynth as a bridge between them, is used to synthesize the design
\item nextpnr-xilinx, together with the Project X-Ray database, is used for place-and-route
\item tools from Project X-Ray are used to convert the routed design to a bitstream
\item openFPGALoader is used to transfer the bitstream to the FPGA via JTAG
\end{itemize}
\end{document}

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@ -1,22 +1,35 @@
In early 2018, more than a year before the official start of the project, after In early 2018, more than a year before the official start of the project, after
searching for a subject for the diploma thesis, the idea of building a computer searching for a subject for the diploma thesis, the idea of building a computer
from scratch has come up. Multiple suggestions on how to implement it and the from scratch had come up. Multiple suggestions on how to implement it and the
scope of the project were gathered. Originally the goal of the project was to scope of the project were gathered. Originally, the goal was to
have a computer which would consist of seperate plug-in cards on each of which design a computer consisting of seperate plug-in cards, one instruction would
one instruction would reside. This would debunk the mystery behind the ``black residing on each. This would open up the ``black box`` of modern processor
box`` which processors are today. design, showing the basic components at a macroscopic scale.
Most processors today are only documented on the execution of their programs and The project's aim was later
not on their internals. The projects aim was later redirected, due to concerns redirected due to concerns about difficulty, and an FPGA-based design was opted
about the difficulty of the project, to build a processor in VHDL instead. After for instead. After
several months of implementation time the project was split into two parts: the several months of implementation time, the project was split into two parts: the
peripherals and the core processor. During the development processes and after peripherals and the core processor. During the development process, and to get
rememberingthe original goal to make a processor understandable, the back to the original goal of making a processor understandable, the
peripherals changed from being implemented in VHDL back to hardware, which came peripherals changed from being implemented in VHDL back to hardware.
with increased work but would result in a far more understandable final product. This increased the required effort, but would result in a far more
understandable final product.
The decision for a RISC-V based processor was made at the beginning of the The decision to use a RISC-V based processor was made at the beginning of the
project, because the core architecture is well documented, modular and almost project because the core architecture is well documented and modular, and because
any part not implemented inside the processor(if not specifically almost any feature not implemented inside the processor can be emulated using
required by the software) should be emulateable in software. software instead.
\subsection{Free software}
\label{sec:free-software}
For most of today's processors, documentation only exists on the execution of
programs (the runtime), not for their internals. In order the have the biggest
possible educational potential, this project is entirely "Free as in speech":
All involved software and hardware designs, as well as all the tools and
utilities required to create them, comply with the Free Software Foundation's
definition for Free software~\cite{fsf-definition}. They give the users the
rights to share, study and modify them at their will. In this thesis, the
capital-F ``Free'' is used to refer to this definition rather than the
meaning of ``free of charge'' or ``gratis''.

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@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
The project is fully implemented with all functionality originally targeted. The project is fully implemented with all functionality originally targeted.
The system has been tested and verified. All example codes have been The system has been tested and verified. All example code has been
documented and tested. Hardware implementations were created using documented and tested. Hardware implementations were created using
Free software programs, while the RISC-V processor can be compiled with a Free Free software\footnote{See \autoref{sec:free-software}} programs, while the
toolchain. The completed project can be found on the USB stick, which accompanies RISC-V processor can be compiled with a Free
toolchain. The completed project can be found on the USB stick which accompanies
this thesis, or in the git repositories at this thesis, or in the git repositories at
\url{https://git.it-syndikat.org/tyrolyean/dipl.git} and \url{https://git.it-syndikat.org/tyrolyean/dipl.git} and
\url{https://gitlab.com/YARM-project/}. The completed hardware peripherals can \url{https://gitlab.com/YARM-project/}. The completed hardware peripherals can
be seen in Figure \ref{fig:all_mod} be seen in \autoref{fig:all_mod}.
\begin{figure}[H] \begin{figure}[H]
\centering \centering

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@ -1,94 +1,13 @@
\documentclass[../../Diplomschrift.tex]{subfiles} \documentclass[../../Diplomschrift.tex]{subfiles}
\begin{document} \begin{document}
\section{Development History} \section{SoC Peripherals}
The project started out with the desire to build a CPU from scratch. Examples such as The NAND Game~\cite{nandgame} and Ben Eater's Breadboard Computer series~\cite{breadboard_computer} served as inspirations and guidance during development. The complete FPGA design consists not only of the CPU core, but a number of components that allow it to operate as well as to communicate with the outside environment. They are connected to the core using a shared 32-bit bus.
At first, a design similar to Ben Eater's consisting solely of discrete integrated circuits was considered, but soon discarded in favor of an FPGA-based design. Designing the logic alone was a difficult task, implementing it in discrete hardware would have pushed the project far over the allotted maximum development time.
RISC-V was chosen as the instruction set architecture for the processor. Its modular design with a very small base instruction set make it easy to implement a basic processor that is still fully compatible with existing software and toolchains.
As a starting point, a Terasic DE0 development board\footnote{\url{https://www.terasic.com.tw/cgi-bin/page/archive.pl?No=364}} containing an Altera Cyclone III\footnote{\url{https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/programmable/fpga/cyclone-iii.html}} FPGA was borrowed from the school's inventory. It was used to implement a first version of the core.
The only method of synthesis for Altera devices is to use the proprietary Quartus IDE. However, the last version of Quartus to support the Cyclone III series of FPGAs (version 13.1) had already been out of date for several years at the start of the project. Because of this and the increasing resource demand of the developing core, an Arty A7-35T development board\footnote{\url{https://store.digilentinc.com/arty-a7-artix-7-fpga-development-board-for-makers-and-hobbyists/}} with a Xilinx Artix-7\footnote{\url{https://www.xilinx.com/products/silicon-devices/fpga/artix-7.html}} FPGA was ordered from Digilent.
A comparison between the two FPGAs themselves can be seen in \autoref{tab:fpga-comparison}, a comparison between the peripherals on the development boards in \autoref{tab:devboard-comparison}.
\begin{table}[h]
\centering
\begin{tabular}{l|r|r}
\toprule
& Altera EP3C16 & Xilinx XC7A35T \\
\midrule
Logic Elements & 15000 & 33280 \\
Multipliers & 56 & 90 \\
Block RAM (kb) & 504 & 1800 \\
PLLs & 4 & 5 \\
Global clocks & 20 & 32 \\
\bottomrule
\end{tabular}
\caption{Comparison between Altera and Xilinx FPGAs}
\label{tab:fpga-comparison}
\end{table}
\begin{table}[h]
\centering
\begin{tabular}{l|r|r}
\toprule
& Terasic DE0 & Digilent Arty A7-35T \\
\midrule
Switches & 10 & 4 \\
Buttons & 3 & 4 \\
LEDs & 10 + 4x 7-segment & 4 + 3 RGB \\
GPIOs & 2x 36 & 4x PMOD + chipKIT \\
Memory & 8MB SDRAM & 256MB DDR3L \\
Others & SD card, VGA & Ethernet \\
\bottomrule
\end{tabular}
\caption{Comparison between the peripherals on Terasic and Digilent FPGA development boards}
\label{tab:devboard-comparison}
\end{table}
While the Digilent board offers fewer IO options, the DDR3 memory can be interfaced using Free memory cores and allows for much larger programs to be loaded, possibly even a full operating system. The missing VGA port has been substituted by an HDMI-compatible DVI interface that is accessible through one of the high-speed PMOD connectors.
\section{FPGA Tooling}
FPGA design is done using a Hardware Description Language (HDL). The two most well-known HDLs are Verilog and VHDL (VHSIC (Very high speed integrated circuit) HDL). As part of our studies at HTL, we exclusively worked with VHDL. For this reason, and because VHDL offers a strong type system~\cite{vhdl-types}, it was selected as the language of choice for the project.
To refresh the reader's memory on the VHDL language, and as a quick guide for the tools involved in this project, see Appendix~\ref{app:vhdl-intro}.
\subsection{Vendor Tools}
The conventional way to work with FPGA designs is to use the FPGA vendor's development solution for simulation, synthesis and place-and-route. All of these tools are proprietary software specialized to a certain FPGA manufacturer, so a change of hardware also requires changing to a completely different software solution.
Vendor tools are usually free-of-charge for basic usage, but this also means there is no guaranteed support. During the development of this project, several bugs and missing features were found in vendor tools that required workarounds.
\subsection{Free Software Tools}
A somewhat recent development is the creation of Free Software\footnotemark{} FPGA toolchains. A breakthrough was achieved by Claire (formerly Clifford) Wolf in 2013 with yosys~\cite{yosys-paper, yosys}, a feature-complete Verilog synthesis suite for Lattice's \texttt{iCE40} FPGA series.
\footnotetext{``Free Software'' refers to software that grants its user the freedom to share, study and modify it - see \url{https://www.fsf.org/about/what-is-free-software}.}
Since then, both yosys and place-and-route tools like nextpnr~\cite{nextpnr} have matured, however Lattice's iCE40 and ECP5 remained the only supported FPGA architectures for place-and-route.
Thus, two obstacles remained for Free toolchains to be viable for this project: synthesizing \emph{from} VHDL code and synthesizing \emph{to} Artix-7 FPGAs. During the development of the project, both of these were solved: Tristan Gingold released ghdlsynth-beta~\cite{ghdlsynth-beta}, a bridge between GHDL~\cite{ghdl} and yosys allowing VHDL to be synthesized just the same as Verilog, and Dave Shah added Xilinx support to nextpnr~\cite{nextpnr-xilinx}. The latter was preceded by many months of volunteer work reverse-engineering the Xilinx bitstream format as part of \textit{Project X-Ray}~\cite{prjxray}.
With these two pieces in place, the project was switched over to a completely Free toolchain, removing any depencies on vendor tools:
\begin{itemize}
\item yosys, with ghdl as a frontend for processing VHDL and ghdlsynth as a bridge between them, is used to synthesize the design
\item nextpnr-xilinx, together with the Project X-Ray database, is used for place-and-route
\item tools from Project X-Ray are used to convert the routed design to a bitstream
\item openFPGALoader is used to transfer the bitstream to the FPGA via JTAG
\end{itemize}
\section{Peripherals}
The complete FPGA design consists not only of the CPU core, but a number of components that allow it to operate and communicate with the outside environment. They are connected using a shared 32-bit bus.
\subsection{UART} \subsection{UART}
The easiest way to communicate with an embedded system is usually through a serial interface. To ensure the best compatibility with existing software, a National Semiconductor 16550 UART was reimplemented from scratch instead of creating a new design. Thus, the modules's functionality and design can be found in the 16550's datasheet. The easiest way to communicate with an embedded system is usually through a serial interface. To ensure the best compatibility with existing software, a National Semiconductor 16550 UART was reimplemented from scratch instead of creating a new design. Thus, the modules's functionality and design can be found in the 16550's datasheet~\cite{pc16550}.
% TODO ref
\subsection{DVI graphics} \subsection{DVI graphics}

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