Get Started with VHDP
Software Setup
Use the benefits of code suggestions and vendor-independent libraries by using VHDPlus IDE, the easiest way to program your FPGA.
Install VHDPlus IDE
- Windows
- Linux
- MacOS
- Download MAX 10 device support¹
- Download and install Quartus Prime Lite for Windows²
- Download and install VHDPlus IDE:
- Download MAX 10 device support¹
- Download and install Quartus Prime Lite for Linux²
- Install VHDPlus IDE:
VHDPlus IDE is now officially distributed as a Snap package in the Snap Store:
You can install it by running:
sudo snap install --classic vhdplus
Note: If snap isn't available in your Linux distribution, please check the following Installing Snapd guide, which can help you get that set up.
MacOS Version
This version is a work in progress. Quartus and Drivers are not supported. The Application is not signed yet, so it will be detected as broken by MacOS. You can fix this by executing the following in the terminal after installing it to /Applications using the .dmg.
sudo xattr -r -d com.apple.quarantine /Applications/VHDPlus.app
Architecture | Download |
---|---|
x64 (Intel) | |
arm64 (Apple Silicon) |
¹MAX 10 device support:
The VHDPlus Core is equipped with a MAX 10 FPGA. Select the device family depending on your development board.
²Quartus Prime:
Quartus Prime is necessary for compiling your code and programming your FPGA.
Drivers
You need to install the drivers according to your programmer at hand in order to program your FPGA. Our VHDPlus Core features an ARROW USB Programmer because of its additional USB to UART interface.
Follow this guide to download and install the driver for the Arrow USB Programmer.
Connect VHDPlus IDE with Quartus
For direct compiling and programming of VHDPlus IDE a connection via Quartus is necessary.
If Quartus is installed in default directory no further steps are needed.
Otherwise an adjustment of the Quartus' path can be realized by opening the VHDPlus IDE and navigating through Extras -> Settings -> General
When Quartus is detected successfully the boundary turns green.
Setup Simulation with GHDL (Optional)
- Windows
- Linux
- MacOS
Using the new Package Manager (recommended)
- Open the Package Manager
Extras
->Package Manager
- Install
GHDL
and wait for it to finish.
Using the new Package Manager (recommended)
- Open the Package Manager
Extras
->Package Manager
- Install
GHDL
and wait for it to finish
If you have errors because of missing libraries, you might need to install libgnat-7
.
On Ubuntu this can be done by executing sudo apt install libgnat-7
.
Using the new Package Manager (recommended)
- Open the Package Manager
Extras
->Package Manager
- Install
GHDL
and wait for it to finish
Learn more about simulation with GHDL here
Setup Simulation with ModelSim (Optional)
- Download and install ModelSim for Windows or ModelSim for Linux
- Specify the path for the
modelsim_ase
folder inExtras
->Settings
->Simulator
- Run the simulation in the GHDP viewer or with a right click on a VHDL file
Learn more about simulation with ModelSim here
Next Steps
Beginner Guide
If you made it to this point, you should be ready to write your first program 🎉.
You can find a detailed beginner guide here.
Simulate your program
Learn how to use libraries
We offer useful libraries inside our IDE. Learn more here.
You can use your own libraries written in VHDL or Verilog conveniently in your projects.
You can learn how to do that here.
Need Help?
Starting to program FPGAs can be quite tricky. Here are a few options that can help you get started.
- Join our Discord! We are happy to help with any problems and to answer questions.
- Ask questions on Stack Overflow
- Check out our YouTube Channel. We upload useful tutorials frequently.
- Check out Community Projects. See what is possible with VHDPlus and learn how to create those Projects yourself.