Fundamentals of Digital Logic with VHDL Design with CD-ROM
Fundamentals of Digital Logic with VHDL Design teaches the basic design techniques for logic circuits. The text ptovides a clear and easily understandable discussion of logic circuit design without the use of unnecessary formalism. It emphasizes the synthesis of circuits and explains how circuits are implemented in real chips. Fundamental concepts are illustrated by using small examples, which are easy to understand. Then, a modular approach is used to show how larger circuits are designed.
VHDL is a complex language so it is introduced gradually in the book. Each VHDL feature is presented as it becomes pertinent for the circuits being discussed. While it includes a discussion of VHDL, the book provides thorough coverage of the fundamental concepts of logic circuit design, independent of the use of VHDL and CAD tools. A CD-ROM containg all of the VHDL design examples used in the book, as well Altera's Quartus II CAD software, is included free with every text.
Why Read This Book
You will get a clear, practical grounding in digital logic combined with a gradual, synthesis-oriented introduction to VHDL so you can move from theory to implementable RTL quickly. The book emphasizes real-chip implementation and modular design with small, worked examples that scale to larger FPGA projects.
Who Will Benefit
Undergraduate students, lab instructors, early-career hardware engineers, and hobbyists who want a hands-on introduction to digital logic and VHDL for designing and synthesizing FPGA circuits.
Level: Beginner — Prerequisites: High-school algebra and basic familiarity with electrical concepts (voltage/current) recommended; no prior HDL experience required.
Key Takeaways
- Describe and apply fundamental Boolean algebra and logic-gate techniques to real circuit problems
- Design and analyze common combinational and sequential building blocks (adders, multiplexers, registers, FSMs)
- Write, simulate, and debug synthesizable VHDL for both combinational and sequential logic
- Synthesize VHDL RTL to FPGA primitives and understand how logic maps to real chips
- Apply modular design and hierarchical composition to build larger digital systems from small components
Topics Covered
- Introduction to Digital Logic and Boolean Algebra
- Combinational Logic: Gates, Simplification, and Implementation
- Number Representation and Binary Arithmetic
- Combinational Design Examples: Adders, Multiplexers, Encoders, Decoders
- Introduction to Sequential Logic and Flip-Flops
- Finite State Machines and Sequential Design Techniques
- VHDL Basics: Data Types, Operators, and Modeling Combinational Logic
- VHDL for Sequential Circuits: Processes, Signals, and Timing
- Synthesisable VHDL and RTL Coding Styles
- FPGA Implementation: Mapping RTL to Logic, Registers, and I/O
- Timing, Hazards, and Basic Static Timing Considerations
- Memory, Registers, and Datapath Design
- Modular Design Methodology and Design-for-Test
- Laboratory Exercises and Worked Examples (CD-ROM resources)
- Appendices: VHDL Reference and Simulation/Synthesis Notes
Languages, Platforms & Tools
How It Compares
Compared with Morris Mano's Digital Design (which emphasizes theory and multiple HDLs) and Harris & Harris's Digital Design and Computer Architecture (which leans Verilog and processor design), this title focuses more tightly on VHDL-driven synthesis and practical FPGA implementation.
