Setting Up a Base Project for Arty and Artix 7 FPGA Board
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Installing the Board Files
- Creating a Project
- Designing the Block
- Configuring Clocks
- Hooking Up Peripherals
- Adding Microblaze
- Connecting Peripherals
- Adding AXI Timer
- Hooking Up Interrupts
- Creating HDL Wrapper
- Generating Bitstream
- Conclusion
How to Set Up a Base Project for the Arty and Artix 7 FPGA Board
The Arty and Artix 7 FPGA Board from Digilent is a powerful tool for hardware development. In this Tutorial, I will guide you through the process of setting up a base project for this board. By following these steps, you will be able to get started with your FPGA project quickly and efficiently.
1. Introduction
The Arty and Artix 7 FPGA Board is a versatile platform that allows you to implement complex digital designs. Before we begin, let's take a moment to understand the basics of FPGA and familiarize ourselves with the board's specifications.
2. Installing the Board Files
To begin the project setup, you need to install the necessary board files for the Arty board. These files can be found on the Digilent website. Make sure to follow the provided link and download the correct files for your board.
3. Creating a Project
Once the board files are installed, we can proceed to create a new project in Vivado. This project will serve as the foundation for our FPGA design. Follow the steps outlined in this section to create a project and select the appropriate board preset.
4. Designing the Block
In order to simplify the project setup, we will rely on the peripheral configurations provided by the board files. In the "Board" tab, you will find a list of these configurations. We will start by adding the system clock to our design using the clocking wizard.
5. Configuring Clocks
The Arty board features an onboard 100 MHz oscillator, which we will use as the system clock. However, we also need to configure the clock wizard to generate three additional clocks for our design. These clocks are required for the DDR, Ethernet PHY, and other functionalities. This section will guide you through the process of configuring the clock wizard.
6. Hooking Up Peripherals
With the clocks configured, we can now proceed to connect the various peripherals to our design. The Arty board offers a range of peripherals, including Ethernet, Quad SPI Flash, LEDs, and push buttons. This section will walk you through the process of adding these peripherals to your design using the connection automation feature.
7. Adding Microblaze
To add a processor to our design, we will use Microblaze. Microblaze is a soft-core processor that can be customized to meet the requirements of your project. In this section, we will configure Microblaze and connect it to the necessary peripherals.
8. Connecting Peripherals
Once Microblaze is added to the design, we can use the connection automation feature to establish the necessary connections between the processor and the peripherals. This section will guide you through the process of connecting Microblaze to the various peripherals in your design.
9. Adding AXI Timer
To run certain applications on the Arty board, such as the Lightweight IP Echo Server or Linux, we need to add a timer to our design. In this section, we will add an AXI Timer and configure it appropriately.
10. Hooking Up Interrupts
In order to handle interrupts generated by various peripherals, we need to set up an interrupt controller. This section will guide you through the process of hooking up interrupts for the Ethernet, Quad SPI, UART, and Timer peripherals.
11. Creating HDL Wrapper
Before we can generate the bitstream, we need to create an HDL wrapper for our block design. This wrapper will enable Vivado to manage our design effectively. This section will walk you through the process of creating an HDL wrapper.
12. Generating Bitstream
We have reached the final stage of the project setup. In this section, we will generate the bitstream, which is the binary file that can be programmed onto the FPGA. Follow the steps outlined here to generate the bitstream for your Arty board.
13. Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully set up a base project for the Arty and Artix 7 FPGA Board. This tutorial has provided you with a comprehensive guide to getting started with your FPGA design. Now, it's time to explore the endless possibilities that this powerful platform offers.
Highlights
- The Arty and Artix 7 FPGA Board from Digilent is a versatile tool for hardware development.
- By following the provided steps, you can set up a base project for the Arty board efficiently.
- Installing the necessary board files is the first step towards setting up the project.
- The connection automation feature in Vivado simplifies the process of hooking up peripherals.
- Microblaze, a soft-core processor, can be added to the design to enhance its capabilities.
- The AXI Timer is essential for running certain applications on the Arty board.
- Configuring interrupts is crucial for handling events generated by peripherals.
- Generating the bitstream is the final step in setting up the project.
FAQ
Q: Can I use the Arty board for running Linux?
A: Yes, you can configure Microblaze to run Linux on the Arty board.
Q: What are the main peripherals available on the Arty board?
A: The Arty board offers a range of peripherals, including Ethernet, Quad SPI Flash, LEDs, and push buttons.
Q: Do I need a timer for my FPGA design?
A: A timer is required for certain applications, such as the Lightweight IP Echo Server or Linux. Adding an AXI Timer is recommended.
Q: How can I handle interrupts from peripherals?
A: An interrupt controller can be set up to handle interrupts generated by peripherals.
Resources
Note: The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only. Ensure to follow the documentation and guidelines provided by the board manufacturer for accurate setup and implementation of your FPGA project.