Introduction

The FPGA labkit is a state-of-the-art platform for prototyping digital designs. Based on a 6-million gate platform-scale FPGA, the labkit is designed to facilitate complex and high-performance projects. Several peripheral devices are built into the labkit PCB and hardwired to the FPGA. These include high-speed memory, audio and video encoders and decoders, and other digital interfaces, such as PS/2 and RS-232 ports.

A large breadboard area is provided to allow students to add their own devices to the labkit, such as data converters, motor drivers, or other analog or high power components. Connectors are also provided for quickly attaching Agilent logic analyzers, and for interconnecting multiple labkits. A daughter card connector allows for future expansion, with additional high-speed devices.

Programming the FPGA

The labkit is based on a Virtex II FPGA from Xilinx.

• An Introduction to Xilinx ISE--A brief tutorial on the software used to program the labkit's FPGA, and pointers to the official Xilinx software documentation.
• The template toplevel Verilog module labkit.v and the standard constraints file labkit.ucf

Using the Labkit Hardware

• The basics--Breadboards, clocks, LEDs, switches, generic i/o signals, and logic analyzer connectors
• Audio
• TV Video--Composite and S-video input and output
• VGA Video
• ZBT SRAMs

Technical Documentation

• Datasheets