OVERVIEW

In This Chapter

• Learn the history of HDL Development

• Learn how the HDL module is structured

• Learn the use of operators in HDL modules

• Learn the different types of HDL objects

• Understand the function of a simulator

• Understand the function of a synthesizer

• Understand the major differences between VHDL and Verilog HDL

1.1 WHY HDL?

Hardware Description Language (HDL) is a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tool for the modern design and synthesis of digital systems. The recent, steady advances in semiconductor technology continue to increase the power and complexity of digital systems. Due to their complexity, such systems cannot be realized using discrete Integrated Circuits (ICs). They are usually realized using high-density, programmable chips, such as Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and require sophisticated CAD tools. HDL is an integral part of such tools. HDL offers the designer a very efficient tool for implementing and synthesizing designs on chips.

The designer uses HDL to describe the system in a computer language that is similar to several commonly used software languages, such as C. Debugging the design is easy, since HDL packages implement simulators and test benches. The two widely used hardware description languages are VHDL and Verilog. Since each language is equally implemented in both academia and industry, this book covers both individually and also discusses how to use them in the same module.

1.2 A BRIEF HISTORY OF HDL

HDL is a must-have tool for modern digital engineers. There are two major hardware description...