Get Started with VHDP

Get Started

Use the benefits of code suggestions and vendor-independent libraries by using VHDP IDE, the easiest way to program your FPGA.

VHDP IDE

Install VHDP IDE

  1. Download MAX 10 device support¹
  2. Download and install Quartus Prime Lite or Quartus Prime Lite for Linux²
  3. Choose your version of VHDP IDE according to your operating system:

Important Notes:

At this point VHDP has not left WIP state. Breaking changes might occur until version 1.0.

At this point VHDP IDE does not obtain a Microsoft Certificate. According to that Windows installer might get blocked by SmartScreen. If you have trouble you can try to use the non installer version:

Just extract the downloaded .zip to a location of your choice and execute VHDPlus.exe.

Operating System32 Bit64 Bit
Windows 7+

VHDPlus-0.9.4.6-x86.msi

VHDPlus-0.9.4.6-x64.msi

Debian based (Ubuntu, Linux Mint, ...)Not supported

VHDPlus-0.9.4.6-x64.deb

RPM based (CentOS, Fedora, OpenSUSE, ...)Not supported

VHDPlus-0.9.4.6-x64.rpm

Other linuxNot supported

VHDPlus-0.9.4.6-x64.tar.gz
  1. Install the Downloaded VHDP Package:
  • Windows: Execute the downloaded .msi file and follow the steps on screen.
  • Debian: Open the downloaded .deb file with your built-in package manager OR install it install it by using the terminal $ sudo dpkg –i <PATH TO DOWNLOADED PACKAGE>
  • RPM: Open the downloaded .rpm file with your built-in package manager OR install it install it by using the terminal $ sudo rpm –i <PATH TO DOWNLOADED PACKAGE>
  • Other Linux: Unpack the contents of the tar.gz to any location and execute the VHDPlus executable to start the app.

¹MAX 10 device support
he VHDP 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 VHDP 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 VHDP 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 throughExtras -> Options -> General

Select Quartus Path

When Quartus is detected successfully the boundary around Quartus' path eventuelly turns green.

Addional Programs

Code Simulation:

With GHDL (recommended):

  1. Install GHDL with the Installer for Windows or with sudo apt-get install ghdl on linux
  2. Download an extract GTK Wave for Windows or install it with sudo apt-get install gtkwave on linux
  3. Specify the path to the "gtkwave" folder in Extras/Settings/Simulator/GTKWave path
  4. Read our instructions here

With ModelSim:

  1. Download and install ModelSim or ModelSim for Linux
  2. Read our instructions here

Program with VHDP

Creating a program with the VHDP IDE is simple, but to get started even faster we have created tutorials including a written instruction:

First Program:

Create your first program:

Manual:

  1. Start VHDP IDE and create a new project (top left) which automatically creates a .vhdp file.
  2. Inside the vhdp file you can write your code. More information about this here. To get a better understanding as a beginner use this demo code:
/*
Blink example
*/

Main
(
    --I/Os of the FPGA
    LED : OUT STD_LOGIC := '0';  --STD_LOGIC contains states like '1', '0' or 'Z' for High Impedance
)     
{   
    Process Demo ()
    {
        Thread --Every Thread is an endless loop
        {
            LED <= '1';
            Wait(250ms);
            LED <= '0';
            Wait(250ms);
        }
    }
}
  1. If no errors appear while analyzing you can click on create (6th from top left) and a window opens up. A connection of in- and outputs from Main to physical IOs can be created (they are labelled on the development board and shield). Before clicking on OK you should check if Quartus' path is correct. On Windows this path is usually "C:\intelFPGA_lite\18.1\quartus".
  2. In case of errors while compiling you can double click on the error message (in front of the line and path) to view the file with the error. When you double click again you, get to the specific line in code. When you have found the error, you have to fix the error within the .vdhp file.
  3. When compiling is finished, which can last up to several minutes, because the compiler attempts to find the most efficient way to connect the logic elements, you can program the FPGA. In order to do that you have to click on Program (7th from top left), select the connected programmer and connect the programmer with the JTAG connector. Now you are able to add the programming file or delete the old one and replace it. Select the .pof file if you want to save the file within the internal flash. Select Program/Configure and press start.
Install Drivers →