VHDL

[CTho9305]

I want to learn VHDL... anyone got any recommendations about how to best do this? I probably won't be able to take any courses here (college) that would use it for a while (at least until next year). I downloaded a few free/evaluation programs, all of which are extraordinarily difficult to figure out.

How long do you think it would take to get a reasonable understanding?

 

[pm]

Seaching at Google.Com with "HDL compiler GNU", "HDL compiler free", "VHDL compiler", etc. I turned up these:

There's FreeHDL (GNU) which is a little limited but holds promise:
http://www.freehdl.seul.org/

There's a good looking one here:
http://www.bluepc.com/download.html

There are several here:
ftp://poppy.snu.ac.kr/pub/vhdl

I mentioned VHDL, but there is also Verilog. Verilog is the same sort of thing, but I like VHDL better because I'm more familiar with the VHDL coding style.

As far as how long it takes to be comfortable with it... it could take a while, I've been reading HDL code for over a decade and writing it occassionally (modifications usually) for 6 years and I'm not particularly wonderful at it. I can get my job done, but I'm not a coding wizard.

 

[WilsonTung]

Digital Design, Principles&Practices by John F. Wakerly has basic coverage of VDHL syntax and techniques. I have to admit that although VDHL is simple in concept, I am not very good at it. I think it takes a lot of practice.

 

[graen drol]

altera max+plus II
Here is a student version of altera max+plus II. You can use it for compiling, simulations and the sort. It is what I used in my Digital Design course.
Rapid Prototyping of Digital Systems
That is the book we used in the class. Hope this helps!

 

[SuperTool]

Learn Verilog.
It's the most widely used HDL
This is the book you should read Verilog HDL