VHDL Vs Verilog
VHDL Vs Verilog
VHDL Vs Verilog
Abstract
This tutorial is in two parts. The first part takes an unbiased view of VHDL and Verilog
by comparing their similarities and contrasting their differences. The second part contains
a worked example of a model that computes the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) of two
numbers. The GCD is modeled at the algorithmic level in VHDL, Verilog and for
comparison purposes, C. It is then shown modeled at the RTL in VHDL and Verilog.
1. Introduction
There are now two industry standard hardware description languages, VHDL and
Verilog. The complexity of ASIC and FPGA designs has meant an increase in the
number of specialist design consultants with specific tools and with their own libraries of
macro and mega cells written in either VHDL or Verilog. As a result, it is important that
designers know both VHDL and Verilog and that EDA tools vendors provide tools that
provide an environment allowing both languages to be used in unison. For example, a
designer might have a model of a PCI bus interface written in VHDL, but wants to use it
in a design with macros written in Verilog.
2. Background
VHDL (Very high speed integrated circuit Hardware Description Language) became
IEEE standard 1076 in 1987. It was updated in 1993 and is known today as "IEEE
standard 1076 1993". The Verilog hardware description language has been used far
longer than VHDL and has been used extensively since it was launched by Gateway in
1983. Cadence bought Gateway in 1989 and opened Verilog to the public domain in
1990. It became IEEE standard 1364 in December 1995.
There are two aspects to modeling hardware that any hardware description language
facilitates; true abstract behavior and hardware structure. This means modeled hardware
behavior is not prejudiced by structural or design aspects of hardware intent and that
hardware structure is capable of being modeled irrespective of the design's behavior.
This section compares and contrasts individual aspects of the two languages; they are
listed in alphabetical order.
Capability
Hardware structure can be modeled equally effectively in both VHDL and Verilog. When
modeling abstract hardware, the capability of VHDL can sometimes only be achieved in
Verilog when using the PLI. The choice of which to use is not therefore based solely on
technical capability but on:
• personal preferences
• EDA tool availability
• commercial, business and marketing issues
The modeling constructs of VHDL and Verilog cover a slightly different spectrum across
the levels of behavioral abstraction; see Figure 1.
Compilation
VHDL. Multiple design-units (entity/architecture pairs), that reside in the same system
file, may be separately compiled if so desired. However, it is good design practice to keep
each design unit in it's own system file in which case separate compilation should not be
an issue.
Verilog. The Verilog language is still rooted in it's native interpretative mode.
Compilation is a means of speeding up simulation, but has not changed the original
nature of the language. As a result care must be taken with both the compilation order of
code written in a single file and the compilation order of multiple files. Simulation results
can change by simply changing the order of compilation.
Data types
VHDL. A multitude of language or user defined data types can be used. This may m ean
dedicated conversion functions are needed to convert objects from one type to another.
The choice of which data types to use should be considered wisely, especially
enumerated (abstract) data types. This will make models easier to write, clearer to read
and avoid unnecessary conversion functions that can clutter the code. VHDL may be
preferred because it allows a multitude of language or user defined data types to be used.
Verilog. Compared to VHDL, Verilog data types a re very simple, easy to use and very
much geared towards modeling hardware structure as opposed to abstract hardware
modeling. Unlike VHDL, all data types used in a Verilog model are defined by the
Verilog language and not by the user. There are net data types, for example wire, and a
register data type called reg. A model with a signal whose type is one of the net data
types has a corresponding electrical wire in the implied modeled circuit. Objects, that is
signals, of type reg hold their value over simulation delta cycles and should not be
confused with the modeling of a hardware register. Verilog may be preferred because of
it's simplicity.
Design reusability
VHDL. Procedures and functions may be placed in a package so that they are avail able to
any design-unit that wishes to use them.
Easiest to Learn
Starting with zero knowledge of either language, Verilog is probably the easiest to grasp
and understand. This assumes the Verilog compiler directive language for simulation and
the PLI language is not included. If these languages are included they can be looked upon
as two additional languages that need to be learned. VHDL may seem less intuitive at
first for two primary reasons. First, it is very strongly typed; a feature that makes it robust
and powerful for the advanced user after a longer learning phase. Second, there are many
ways to model the same circuit, specially those with large hierarchical structures.
A spin-off from Verilog is the Standard Delay Format (SDF). This is a general purpose
format used to define the timing delays in a circuit. The format provides a bidirectional
link between, chip layout tools, and either synthesis or simulation tools, in order to
provide more accurate timing representations. The SDF format is now an industry
standard in it's own right.
VHDL. There are more constructs and features for high-level modeling in VHDL than
there are in Verilog. Abstract data types can be used along with the following statements:
* generic statements for generic models that can be individually characterized, for
example, bit width.
Language Extensions
The use of language extensions will make a model non standard and most likely not
portable across other design tools. However, sometimes they are necessary in order to
achieve the desired results.
VHDL. Has an attribute called 'foreign that allows architectures and subprograms to be
modeled in another language.
VHDL. Simple two input logical operators are built into the language, they are: NOT,
AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XOR and XNOR. Any timing must be separately specified
using the after clause. Separate constructs defined under the VITAL language must be
used to define the cell primitives of ASIC and FPGA libraries.
Verilog. The Verilog language was originally developed with gate level modeling in
mind, and so has very good constructs for modeling at this level and for modeling the cell
primitives of ASIC and FPGA libraries. Examples include User Defined Primitive s
(UDP), truth tables and the specify block for specifying timing delays across a module.
VHDL. Configuration, generate, generic and package statements all help manage large
design structures.
Verilog. There are no statements in Verilog that help manage large designs.
Operators
The majority of operators are the same between the two languages. Verilog does have
very useful unary reduction operators that are not in VHDL. A loop statement can be
used in VHDL to perform the same operation as a Verilog unary reduction operator.
VHDL has the mod operator that is not found in Verilog.
Parameterizable models
VHDL. A specific bit width model can be instantiated from a generic n-bit model using
the generic statement. The generic model will not synthesize until it is instantiated and
the value of the generic given.
Verilog. A specific width model can be instantiated from a generic n-bit model using
overloaded parameter values. The generic model must have a default parameter value
defined. This means two things. In the absence of an overloaded value being specified, it
will still synthesize, but will use the specified default parameter value. Also, it does not
need to be instantiated with an overloaded parameter value specified, before it will
synthesize.
Procedures and tasks
VHDL allows concurrent procedure calls; Verilog does not allow concurrent task calls.
Readability
This is more a matter of coding style and experience than language feature. VHDL is a
concise and verbose language; its roots are based on Ada. Verilog is more like C because
it's constructs are based approximately 50% on C and 50% on Ada. For this reason an
existing C programmer may prefer Verilog over VHDL. Although an existing
programmer of both C and Ada may find the mix of constructs somewhat confusing at
first. Whatever HDL is used, when writing or reading an HDL model to be synthesized it
is important to think about hardware intent.
Structural replication
VHDL. The generate statement replicates a number of instances of the same design-unit
or some sub part of a design, and connects it appropriately.
Test harnesses
Designers typically spend about 50% of their time writing synthesizable models and the
other 50% writing a test harness to verify the synthesizable models. Test harnesses are
not restricted to the synthesizable subset and so are free to use the full potential of the
language. VHDL has generic and configuration statements that are useful in test
harnesses, that are not found in Verilog.
Verboseness
VHDL. Because VHDL is a very strongly typed language models must be coded precisely
with defined and matching data types. This may be considered an advantage or
disadvantage. However, it does mean models are often more verbose, and the code often
longer, than it's Verilog equivalent.
Verilog. Signals representing objects of different bits widths may be assigned to each
other. The signal representing the smaller number of bits is automatically padded out to
that of the larger number of bits, and is independent of whether it is the assigned signal or
not. Unused bits will be automatically optimized away during the synthesis process. This
has the advantage of not needing to model quite so explicitly as in VHDL, but does mean
unintended modeling errors will not be identified by an analyzer.
4.1 Problem
a) Design three algorithmic level models of an algorithm that finds the Greatest Common
Divisor (GCD) of two numbers in the software programming language, C, and the two
hardware description languages, VHDL and Verilog. Use common test data files to test
the algorithm where practically possible. Neither the VHDL nor Verilog models need
contain timing. All three models should automatically indicate a pass or fail condition.
b) Model the GCD algorithm at the RTL level for synthesis in both VHDL and Verilog.
The model must be generic so that it can be instantiated with different bit widths. A Load
signal should indicate when input data is valid, and a signal cal led Done, should be
provided to signify when valid output data is available. The generic model should be
verified with 8-bit bus signals.
c) Write VHDL and Verilog test harnesses for the two models that: 1) use the same test
data files used by the algorithmic level models, and 2), instantiates both the RTL and
synthesized gate level models so that they are simulated and tested at the same time.
4.2 Solution
The solution is broken into three parts corresponding to those of the problem. The
solution parts use the following combined test and reference data files.
file: gcd_test_data.txt file: gcd_test_data_hex.txt
21 49 7 15 31 7 // Decimal 21
49 7
25 30 5 19 1E 5 // Decimal 25
30 5
19 27 1 13 1B 1 // Decimal 19
27 1
40 40 40 28 28 28 // Decimal 40
40 40
250 190 10 FA 6E A // Decimal 250
190 10
5 250 5 5 FA 5 // Decimal 5
250 5
The algorithm used to find the greatest common divisor between two numbers is
shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2. GCD Algorithm
C algorithmic model
The C model first declares integer values for the two inputs A and B, the
computed output of the algorithm Y, and the reference output Y_Ref. Integer
Y_Ref is the expected GCD result and used to compare with the computed result
from the algorithm. The integer Swap is also declared and used in the algorithm to
swap the two inputs A and B. A final integer, Passed, is used to indicate a pass (1)
or fail (0) condition.
A file pointer (file_pointer) is defined in order to access the test data file
"gcd_test_data.txt". It is opened for read mode only. Integer Passed is initially set
to 1 and only set to 0 if the algorithm fails.
Reading test data file. The test data file contains three numbers on each line
corresponding to values of A, B and Y_Ref respectively. A while loop is used to:
1) read each line of the test data file, 2) assign the three values to A, B and Y_Ref
respectively, 3) use A and B to compute the GCD output Y, and 4) compare Y
with Y_Ref. This while loop continues while there is test data in the test data file.
Testing the result. The algorithm is tested using an if statement which tests to see
if the computed result Y is the same as the expected result Y_Ref. If they are
different an error message is printed to the screen and Passed assigned the value
0. Finally, when all tests have completed and Passed is still equal to 1 a passed
message is printed to the screen.
The VHDL model follows exactly the same principle as defined for
the C model. When reading the integer values from the test date
file they must be read and assigned to a variable; they cannot be
read and assigned to a signal. As this is an algorithmic level
model defined in a single entity it contains no input or outputs,
nor does it contain any internal signals or associated timing.
All computations use variables; variables are read from the test
data file, the algorithm computes the result and variables are
written to a results file.
VHDL algorithmic level model
library STD;
use STD.TEXTIO.all;
entity GCD_ALG is
end entity GCD_ALG;
architecture ALGORITHM of GCD_ALG is
--------------------------------------------
-- Declare test data file and results file
--------------------------------------------
file TestDataFile: text open
read_mode is "gcd_ test_data.txt";
file ResultsFile: text open write_mode is
"gcd_alg _test_results.txt";
begin
GCD: process
variable A_in, B_in, A, B, Swap, Y, Y_Ref: integer range 0
to 65535;
variable TestData: line;
variable BufLine: line;
variable Passed: bit := '1';
begin
while not endfile(TestDataFile) loop
-------------------------------------
-- Read test data from file
-------------------------------------
readline(TestDataFile, TestData);
read(TestData, A_in);
read(TestData, B_in);
read(TestData, Y_Ref);
------------------------------------
-- Model GCD algorithm
------------------------------------
A := A_in;
B := B_in;
if (A /= 0 and B /= 0) then
while (B /= 0) loop
while (A >= B) loop
A := A - B;
end loop;
Swap:= A;
A := B;
B := Swap;
end loop;
else
A := 0;
end if;
Y := A;
---------------------------------
-- Test GCD algorithm
---------------------------------
if (Y /= Y_Ref) then -- has failed
Passed := '0';
write(Bufline, st ring'("GCD Error: A="));
write(Bufline, A_in);
write(Bufline, string'(" B="));
write(Bufline, B_in);
write(Bufline, string'(" Y="));
write(Bufline, Y);
write(Bufline, string'(" Y_Ref="));
write(Bufline, Y_Ref);
writeline(ResultsFile, Bufline);
end if;
end loop;
if (Passed = '1') then -- has passed
write(Bufline, string' ("GCD algorithm test has passed"));
writeline(ResultsFile, Bufline);
end if;
end process;
end architecture ALGORITHM;
The models have additional inputs and outputs over and above that
of the algorithmic models. They are inputs Clock, Reset_N and
Load, and the output Done. When Load is at logic 1 it signifies
input data is available on inputs A and B, and are loaded into
separate registers whose output signals are called A_hold and B_
hold. The extra output signal, Done, switches to a logic 1 to
signify the greate st common divisor has been computed. It takes
a number of clock cycles to comput e the GCD and is dependent
upon the values of A and B.
5. Conclusions
The reasons for the importance of being able to model hardware in
both VHDL and Verilog has been discussed. VHDL and Verilog has
been extensively compared and contrasted in a neutral manner . A
tutorial has been posed as a problem and solution to demonstrate
some language differences and indicated that hardware modeled in
one language can also be modeled in the other. Room did not allow
test harness models to be included in this tutorial paper, but is
shown in the book "HDL Chip Design" [1]. The choice of HDL is
shown not to be based on technical capability, but on: personal
preferences, EDA tool availability and commercial, business and
marketing issues.
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