The unit covers the following topics:

• Hierarchical structure of digital devices: from gates to processors.
• The VHDL hardware description language and its application in synthesis and simulation of the digital devices.
• Behavioural, structural and data-flow specification of the design.
• Top-down and bottom-up design methodology.
• The microarchitectural and register-transfer representation levels.
• Structure of the Mentor Graphics CAD package for VHDL based modelling and synthesis:
  • Compiler and Simulator/Debugger -- ModelSim EE (Elite Edition)
  • Synthesizer -- LeonardoSpectrum
• Tools for design specification, verification and technology mapping.
• Basic implementation technologies: Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) and Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC).
• Selected algorithms for digital design.

Design examples:

• Simple processor.
• Multipliers.
• Random Number Generators.
• The family of CORDIC algorithms for vector rotations, and elementary functions.
• Distributed and on-line Arithmetic

• A. P. Paplinski, Lecture Notes, http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~app/CSE5312
• IEEE Std 1076-2002, 1076 IEEE Standard VHDL Language Reference Manual, May 2002.
• IEEE Std 1076.6-1999, IEEE Standard for VHDL Register Transfer Level (RTL) Synthesis, September 1999.
• IEEE Std 1076.3-1997, IEEE Standard VHDL Synthesis Packages, March 1997.
• M. Zwolinski, Digital System Design with VHDL. Pearson Education, 2000.
• S. Sjoholm and L. Lindh, VHDL for Designers. Prentice Hall, 1997.
• K.-C. Chang, Digital Design and Modelling with VHDL and Synthesis. IEEE Computer Society Press, 1997.
• J. Bhasker, A VHDL Primer. Prentice-Hall, 1992.
• Mentor Graphics Corporation, LeonardoSpectrum HDL Synthesis, 2001. in: /sw/leonardo spectrum/doc/hdl syn.pdf.

a class of Unix/Linux workstations with the following software packages:

• Mentor Graphics with
• IC Flow,
• ASIC Design Kit,
• FPGA Advantage

Two hours of supervised classes per week and four hours of unsupervised work per week.

• Software Title:
• Vendor:
• Version:
• OS: MS Windows XP ( ) and/or LINUX ( )
• License Details: (A valid software license certificate/s or Vendor permission must be available upon request if the software is to be installed for teaching)
• Are we currently licensed: Yes ( ) or No ( ) (If unsure, please check with your local IT support )
• If (Yes), who is the contact person for this software?:
• If (No), will the software license be arranged by: Staff member requesting the software ( ) or Technical Services* ( ) ? *If the latter is selected, please discuss your requirement/s with myself ASAP, prior to finalising your request, as there could be financial or resourcing implications.
• Is the software to be installed and accessed from a: Client/Workstation ( ), or Server ( ) ?
• Type of license: Site License ( ), Freeware ( ), FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) ( ), Shareware ( ), Lab based ( ) # of Licenses needed ____
• In what week will you commence using the software in class? Semester 1 (Week ___ ) and/or Semester 2 (Week ___ ):
• Nominated Staff For Acceptance Testing Software: (Name) (Phone) (Email)
• Additional Information: Special Requirements, Software Configuration/Installation Requirements, etc: