Using Foundation Express to Compile a VHDL Design

When a VHDL design is read into Foundation Express, the design is converted to an internal database format so that Foundation Express can synthesize and optimize the design. Foundation Express restructures part or all of the design to optimize it. You control the degree of restructuring. Foundation Express includes the following restructuring options.

• Fully preserves a design's hierarchy
  
  
• Moves full modules up or down in the hierarchy
  
  
• Combines certain modules with others
  
  
• Compresses the entire design into one module (called flattening the design)
  
  

The “Design Methodology” section describes the design process that uses Foundation Express with a VHDL simulator.