Port Connection Error: Output must be connected to a structural net expression...?

Altera_Forum · ‎02-08-2013

Hi All,

I'm getting a frustrating error that appears to be a incorrect syntax involving wires vs reg but i've tried all combinations and can't solve it. So i'm after any help you can please provide. I'll try keep this concise.

what i'm doing

A module that i'm adapting VGA_Control; i'm trying to connect it to my top model. No need for you to worry about specifics i think atm.
When i try instantiate the module, i get the error for each output of the module.
I've ensured that all the module outputs are connected to wires, and this is what my understanding of the IEEE section 12.3.9 is.

the error

--- Quote Start ---

Error (10663): Verilog HDL Port Connection error at TPAD_Basics.v(365): output or inout port "vga_clk" must be connected to a structural net expression

--- Quote End ---

I get this error for all the output signals of that module.

the instantiation - cause of errors


wire wVGA_Clk;
wire   oVGA_R;       // VGA Red
wire   oVGA_G;      // VGA Green
wire   oVGA_B;       // VGA Blue
wire wLCD_DEN;
wire wLCD_NCLK;
wire wVGA_HS; 
wire wVGA_VS;
VGA_Control VGA2
(
  clk(wVGA_Clk),
  reset_n(KEY),
  // VGA export interface
  data_in({wRed, wGreen, wBlue}),
  iDataValid(1'b1),
//  vga_clk(LCD_NCLK),
  vga_hs(),
  vga_vs(),
  vga_de(LCD_DEN),
  vga_r(oVGA_R),
  vga_g(oVGA_G),
  vga_b(oVGA_B)
);
assign LCD_DEN = wLCD_DEN;
//assign LCD_NCLK = wLCD_NCLK;
assign VGA_HS = wVGA_HS;
assign VGA_VS = wVGA_VS;
assign LCD_DIM = 1'b1;
assign  LCD_R = oVGA_R;
assign  LCD_G = oVGA_G;
assign  LCD_B = oVGA_B;

port declarations in the module (vga_control)

// global signal
input       clk;
input       reset_n;
input      data_in;
input       iDataValid;
  
  // VGA export interface
output    vga_clk;
output reg   vga_hs;
output reg   vga_vs;
output reg   vga_de;
output reg  vga_r;
output reg  vga_g;
output reg  vga_b;

Altera_Forum · ‎02-08-2013

Did you forget periods when you instantiated the module?

VGA_Control VGA2

(

.clk(wVGA_Clk), //<------- like this

Altera_Forum · ‎02-09-2013

Thank you so much, i am such an idiot.... Absolutely one of those times for me.

I really appreciate you taking the time to look at this for me and slap me back to reality.