Digital System Design using Verilog HDL
Course Syllabus (45 Hours)
Course Overview
This course provides comprehensive coverage of digital system design using Verilog HDL (Hardware
Description Language). Students will learn to design, simulate, and implement digital systems ranging
from basic logic circuits to complex digital processors using industry-standard Verilog coding practices.
Total Duration: 45 Hours
Distribution: 5 Units × 9 Hours each
Unit 1: Introduction to Digital Systems and Verilog HDL Fundamentals (9
Hours)
Topics Covered:
Digital System Design Methodology (1.5 hours)
Top-down vs bottom-up design approaches
Hardware description languages overview
RTL design flow and verification process
Design abstraction levels
Introduction to Verilog HDL (2 hours)
History and evolution of Verilog
Verilog design methodology
Comparison with other HDLs (VHDL, SystemVerilog)
Verilog design hierarchy and modules
Verilog Language Basics (3.5 hours)
Verilog syntax and lexical conventions
Module structure and port declarations
Data types (nets, registers, vectors)
Constants and parameters
Operators and expressions
Compiler directives
Basic Verilog Constructs (2 hours)
Continuous assignments (assign statements)
Procedural assignments (always blocks)
Initial blocks
Blocking vs non-blocking assignments
Learning Outcomes:
Understand digital system design principles
Write basic Verilog code structures
Differentiate between continuous and procedural assignments
Apply proper Verilog coding conventions
Unit 2: Verilog Modeling Techniques and Combinational Logic (9 Hours)
Topics Covered:
Verilog Modeling Styles (2 hours)
Gate-level modeling
Dataflow modeling
Behavioral modeling
Structural modeling
Mixed modeling approaches
Combinational Logic Design (3.5 hours)
Logic gates implementation
Boolean function realization
Multiplexers and demultiplexers
Encoders and decoders
Comparators and magnitude comparators
Priority encoders
Advanced Combinational Circuits (2.5 hours)
Arithmetic circuits (adders, subtractors, multipliers)
ALU design and implementation
Code converters (binary, BCD, Gray)
Parity generators and checkers
Bus systems and tri-state logic
Simulation and Verification (1 hour)
Writing testbenches
Stimulus generation
Waveform analysis
Debugging techniques
Learning Outcomes:
Design combinational logic circuits using Verilog
Implement different modeling styles effectively
Create comprehensive testbenches for verification
Debug and optimize Verilog code
Unit 3: Sequential Logic and Timing Control (9 Hours)
Topics Covered:
Sequential Logic Fundamentals (2 hours)
Flip-flops and latches in Verilog
Clock and reset concepts
Synchronous vs asynchronous designs
Edge-sensitive constructs
Timing control statements
Sequential Circuit Design (3 hours)
Counters (binary, BCD, up/down, ring, Johnson)
Shift registers (SISO, SIPO, PISO, PIPO)
Sequence generators and detectors
Frequency dividers
Register files
Finite State Machines (FSM) (3.5 hours)
Moore and Mealy machines
State encoding techniques
FSM design methodology
State diagram to Verilog conversion
One-hot vs binary encoding
Advanced Sequential Concepts (0.5 hours)
Hierarchical state machines
FSM optimization techniques
Learning Outcomes:
Design sequential logic circuits using proper clocking
Implement various types of state machines
Apply appropriate timing control mechanisms
Design complex sequential systems
Unit 4: Advanced Verilog Features and System Design (9 Hours)
Topics Covered:
Advanced Verilog Constructs (3 hours)
Tasks and functions
Generate statements
Parameters and parameter arrays
Conditional compilation
File I/O operations
System tasks and functions
Memory System Design (3.5 hours)
RAM and ROM modeling
Single-port and dual-port memories
FIFO and LIFO implementations
Memory initialization
Cache memory concepts
Memory controllers
Interfacing and Communication (1.5 hours)
Bus protocols and arbitration
Serial communication (UART, SPI, I2C)
Parallel interfaces
Handshaking protocols
Clock domain crossing
Design Optimization (1 hour)
Synthesis guidelines
Timing optimization
Area and power considerations
Coding for synthesis
Learning Outcomes:
Utilize advanced Verilog features for complex designs
Design efficient memory systems and interfaces
Implement communication protocols
Optimize designs for synthesis
Unit 5: System-Level Design and FPGA Implementation (9 Hours)
Topics Covered:
Processor Design (3 hours)
Simple CPU architecture
Instruction set design
Datapath implementation
Control unit design
Pipeline basics
Digital Signal Processing (2 hours)
FIR filter implementation
Digital filters and convolution
Fixed-point arithmetic
DSP building blocks
FPGA Implementation (3 hours)
FPGA architecture and resources
Synthesis process and tools
Place and route concepts
Timing analysis and constraints
Clock management
I/O planning
Industry Practices and Case Studies (1 hour)
Verification methodologies
Design for test (DFT)
Real-world design examples
IP core integration
Design reuse strategies
Learning Outcomes:
Design complete digital systems and processors
Understand FPGA implementation flow
Apply industry-standard design practices
Integrate and verify complex systems
Assessment Methods:
Continuous Assessment: 40%
Lab assignments and practical exercises
Weekly quizzes and coding assignments
Project milestones and deliverables
Major Projects: 35%
Mid-term project (combinational/sequential design)
Final project (complete system implementation)
Design documentation and presentation
Final Examination: 25%
Theory and conceptual understanding
Verilog code analysis and debugging
Design problem solving
Laboratory Requirements:
Simulation Tools:
ModelSim, VCS, or Icarus Verilog
Waveform viewers (GTKWave, ModelSim)
Synthesis Tools:
Xilinx Vivado or Intel Quartus Prime
Open-source tools (Yosys, nextpnr)
Hardware Platforms:
FPGA development boards (recommended)
Logic analyzers for debugging
Prerequisites:
Digital Electronics and Logic Design
Boolean Algebra and Number Systems
Basic Programming Knowledge (C/C++ preferred)
Computer Organization fundamentals
Learning Resources:
Primary Textbooks:
1. "Digital Design and Computer Architecture" by Harris & Harris
2. "Verilog HDL: A Guide to Digital Design and Synthesis" by Samir Palnitkar
3. "Advanced Digital Design with the Verilog HDL" by Michael Ciletti
Reference Materials:
1. "RTL Hardware Design Using VHDL" by Pong Chu (for comparison)
2. "Digital Design: Principles and Practices" by John Wakerly
3. IEEE Std 1364-2005 (Verilog Language Reference Manual)
Online Resources:
Verilog tutorials and examples
FPGA vendor documentation
Open-source EDA tool documentation
Software Tools:
Commercial: Xilinx Vivado, Intel Quartus Prime, Synopsys VCS
Open Source: Icarus Verilog, Verilator, GTKWave, Yosys
Simulators: ModelSim, QuestaSim, XSIM
Course Policies:
Regular attendance in lab sessions is mandatory
All code submissions must be original work
Proper documentation and commenting required
Industry coding standards must be followed
Weekly Schedule Distribution:
Weeks 1-2: Unit 1 - Fundamentals and Basic Constructs
Weeks 3-4: Unit 2 - Modeling and Combinational Logic
Weeks 5-6: Unit 3 - Sequential Logic and FSMs
Weeks 7-8: Unit 4 - Advanced Features and Memory
Weeks 9-10: Unit 5 - System Design and Implementation
This syllabus is designed to provide comprehensive coverage of digital system design using Verilog HDL,
progressing from basic language concepts to advanced system-level implementation with practical FPGA
experience.
