How to run VHDL code on Altera DE2?

Altera_Forum · ‎05-02-2013

Hello! I am newbie in FPGA, but all last mounth I try understand how it works :) I am create some simple projects like calculator or binary clock on Altera DE2 by whatching some video lessons. And now i want to run on Altera DE2 some hash function algorythm. I am understand how it works as programming algorythm, but I can't understand how to run it on this board. VHDL code of this algorythm I download from this (keccak.noekeon.org / KeccakVHDL-3.1.zip).

I am create a new project in Quartus II and add in it VHDL files. Compilation was successful, but it's not working on board. I think it's because of I am not write pins on Assignment Editor in Quartus II and Quartus compile this code with random pins. (But I am not understand about it). But after reading Altera DE2 User Manual I am can't understand how work with memory on this board.

So, may be can help me create working Quartus II project with this algorythm?

Altera_Forum · ‎05-02-2013

Hi,

first you need to understand what are the inputs and outputs that the board has and what are the inputs and outputs the algorithm module has.

From a quick look, the algorithm module takes a clock, a start and done signal and a 64x64 bit memory input interface and a 64x64 bit memory output interface.

Of course, there's nothing on the board that can actually interface with this directly.

So, you'll need to create a VHDL module where you instantiate the algorithm module, along with some kind of interface to the board's hardware.

One quick way you can get it working in simulation:

Create a module when you instantiate the algorithm module plus 2 64x64 altsyncsram modules (from the MegaWizard).

One of the memory modules will be your input, the other the output.

Create and set a .hex file on the input memory block with some data.

Then give the design a "start" pulse and see that it writes the output on the output memory block.

Once you have this working on simulation, you can make it work on hardware.

- Assign the clock, reset, start and done signals.

- Enable the In-System memory editor, this will allow you to write and read the contents of the memory blocks through the JTAG interface.

Altera_Forum · ‎05-03-2013

Polikin,

I am new to Altera FPGA too. But attach a extract of document that helped me get started. If you get more detail about the DE2 I might be able to help you.

I hope this will help you.