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Getting Started

The following subsections describe the basic requirements for running the tutorial.

Nomenclature

In this tutorial, the following terms are used:

Throughout this tutorial, file names, project names, and directory names (paths) are specified in lower case, and the design is referred to as Watch.

Required Software

The Xilinx Foundation Series package, Version 1.5, is required to perform this tutorial. The design requires that you have installed the XC4000E libraries and device files and are licensed for Foundation Express or Base Express. These options are selected by default in the install program for either Express configuration.

NOTE

A Foundation Express license is required to access the Express Constraints GUI.

Installing the Tutorial

This tutorial assumes that the software is installed in the default location c:\fndtn\active. If you have installed the software in a different location, substitute your installation path for c:\fndtn\active.

The tutorial projects are optionally installed (as sample projects) in the c:\fndtn\active\projects directory when you install the Foundation Series software. If you have installed the software, but are not sure whether the tutorial projects were installed, check for directories named c:\fndtn\active\projects\wtut*. These directories contain the various tutorial files.

NOTE

Refer to the “Setting Up the Foundation Tools” chapter for installation instructions. For even more detailed instructions, refer to the Foundation Series 1.5 Install and Release Document.

Tutorial Project Directories and Files

During the software installation, the WTUT_VHD and WTUT_VER directories are created within c:\fndtn\active\projects, and the tutorial files are copied into these directories. These directories contain incomplete versions of the design, done in VHDL and Verilog, respectively. You will complete the design in the tutorial. However, solutions projects with all completed input and output files are also provided. The following table lists the associated project

Table 5_1 Tutorial Project Directories

Directory
Description
WTUT_VHD
Incomplete Watch Tutorial - VHDL
WTUT_VER
Incomplete Watch Tutorial - Verilog
WATCHVHD
Solution for Watch - VHDL
WATCHVER
Solution for Watch - Verilog

.

The WATCHVHD and WATCHVER solution projects contain the design files for the completed tutorials, including HDL files and the bitstream file.To conserve disk space, some intermediate files are not provided. Do not overwrite any files in the solutions directories.

The WTUT_VHD and WTUT_VER projects contain incomplete copies of the tutorial design. You will create the remaining files when you perform the tutorial. As described in a later step, you have the option to copy the Watch project to another area and perform the tutorial in this new area if desired.

VHDL or Verilog?

This tutorial has been prepared for both VHDL and Verilog designs. This document applies to both designs simultaneously, noting differences where applicable. You will need to decide which HDL language you would like to work through the tutorial when you open the project.

Starting the Project Manager

  1. Double click the Foundation Series Project Manager icon on your desktop or select Programs Xilinx Foundation Series Xilinx Foundation Project Manager from the Start menu.

    figures/pcm_ico.gif

  2. A Getting Started dialog box opens. You can select a recently opened project from this box. If have not opened this tutorial project before now, click the More Projects... button.

    Figure 5.1 Getting Started Dialog Box

  3. In the Directories list, browse to c:\fndtn\active\projects. In the Projects list, open WTUT_VHD or WTUT_VER by double clicking.

Copying the Tutorial Files

You can either work within the project directory as it has been installed from the CD, or you can make a copy to work on. To make a working copy of the tutorial files, begin with an opened project and perform the following steps.

NOTE

Whenever copying projects in Foundation, it is important to use the “Copy Project” feature in the Project Manager to ensure that the project's directory structure is kept intact.

  1. Select File Copy Project.

  2. Under the Destination section, type “wtch_hdl” in the Name field.

  3. Click OK.

  4. Select File Open Project.

  5. Scroll down in the project list and select the wtch_hdl project name. Click Open.

  6. The wtch_hdl project will contain two UCF files. If this is the case, select wtut_vhd.ucf or wtut_ver.ucf. Select Document Remove or press Del to remove the file (wtut_ver.ucf or wtut_vhd.ucf). Click Yes to confirm the removal of the file.

    This does not delete the file from the disk. It merely removes it from the project so that it is not used during compilation. The file still exists in the project directory on the disk. If you mistakenly remove a file from a project, select Document Add to add it back.

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