Digital Design and Modeling with VHDL and Synthesis
Digital Systems Design with VHDL and Synthesis presents anintegrated approach to digital design principles, processes, andimplementations to help the reader design much more complex systemswithin a shorter design cycle. This is accomplished by introducingdigital design concepts, VHDL coding, VHDL simulation, synthesiscommands, and strategies together.
The author focuses on the ultimate product of the design cycle:the implementation of a digital design. VHDL coding, synthesismethodologies and verification techniques are presented as tools tosupport the final design implementation. Readers will understandhow to apply and adapt techniques for VHDL coding, verification,and synthesis to various situations.
Digital Systems Design with VHDL and Synthesis is aresult of K.C. Chang's practical experience in both design and asan instructor. Many of the design techniques and considerationsillustrated throughout the chapters are examples of viable designs.His teaching experience leads to a step-by-step presentation thataddresses common mistakes and hard-to-understand concepts in a waythat eases learning.
Unique features of the book include the following:
- VHDL code explained line by line to capture the logic behindthe design concepts
- VHDL is verified using VHDL test benches and simulationtools
- Simulation waveforms are shown and explained to verify designcorrectness
- VHDL code is synthesized and commands and strategies arediscussed. Synthesized schematics and results are analyzed for areaand timing
- Variations on the design techniques and common mistakes areaddressed; Demonstrated standard cell, gate array, and FPGA threedesign processes
- Each with a complete design case study
- Test bench, post-layout verification, and test vectorgeneration processes.
Practical design concepts and examples are presented with VHDLcode, simulation waveforms, and synthesized schematics so thatreaders can better understand their correspondence andrelationships.
Why Read This Book
You should read this book if you want a practical, implementation-focused guide that ties VHDL coding directly to synthesis and final hardware realization — not just language syntax. You will learn coding styles, verification practices, and synthesis strategies that help you move from idea to FPGA/ASIC more efficiently and with fewer surprises at implementation time.
Who Will Benefit
Intermediate digital designers, FPGA/ASIC engineers, or advanced students who know basic digital logic and want to learn how to write synthesizable VHDL and carry designs through simulation, synthesis, and implementation.
Level: Intermediate — Prerequisites: Basic digital logic and Boolean algebra, familiarity with combinational and sequential circuits, and basic programming familiarity (pseudocode or a high-level language). No prior VHDL knowledge required but helpful.
Key Takeaways
- Write synthesizable VHDL for combinational and sequential circuits using industry-acceptable coding styles.
- Model, simulate, and verify designs with effective testbenches and verification strategies.
- Apply synthesis commands and constraints to guide logic optimization and timing closure.
- Design finite-state machines and datapath/control architectures with synthesis in mind.
- Map behavioral and structural descriptions to FPGA/ASIC implementation trade-offs and resource usage.
Topics Covered
- 1. Introduction to Digital Design and Design Methodology
- 2. Review of Combinational and Sequential Logic
- 3. VHDL Language Fundamentals and Modeling Styles
- 4. Dataflow, Behavioral, and Structural Descriptions
- 5. Modeling Finite-State Machines and Datapaths
- 6. Testbenches, Simulation, and Verification Techniques
- 7. Principles of Logic Synthesis and Synthesis Tools
- 8. Synthesizable VHDL Coding Guidelines and Idioms
- 9. Timing, Clocking, and Design-for-Synthesis Considerations
- 10. Optimization, Resource Sharing, and Area/Speed Tradeoffs
- 11. Implementation Issues for FPGAs and ASICs
- 12. Case Studies and Practical Design Examples
- Appendices: VHDL Reference, Synthesis Command Examples, Recommended Tools
Languages, Platforms & Tools
How It Compares
Compared with Douglas Perry's VHDL tutorials or Brown & Vranesic's broader digital design texts, Chang's book is more focused on practical synthesis and implementation techniques rather than being a pure language primer or a purely theoretical treatment.
