Product Description
Advances in semiconductor technology continue to increase the power and complexity of digital systems. To design such systems requires a strong knowledge of Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), as well as the CAD tools required. Hardware Description Language (HDL) is an essential CAD tool that offers designers an efficient way for implementing and synthesizing the design on a chip. HDL Programming Fundamentals: VHDL and Verilog teaches students the essentials of HDL and the functionality of the digital components of a system. Unlike other texts, this book covers both IEEE standardized HDL languages: VHDL and Verilog. Both of these languages are widely used in industry and academia and have similar logic, but are different in style and syntax. By learning both languages students will be able to adapt to either one, or implement mixed language environments, which are gaining momentum as they combine the best features of the two languages in the same project. The text starts with the basic concepts of HDL, and covers the key topics such as data flow modeling, behavioral modeling, gate-level modeling, and advanced programming. Several comprehensive projects are included to show HDL in practical application, including examples of digital logic design, computer architecture, modern bioengineering, and simulation.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.0 based on 5 reviews)

good bilingual introduction

Since this is one of the very few bilingual HDL textbooks, I have adopted it for my graduate-level introductory HDL-based design class. The author has been extremely cordial and helpful in handling my questions and comments via email, and I really like the book's extensive use of examples. My biggest gripes are the failure to embrace several Verilog 2001 constructs and the lack of test bench discussion. (I always start my class with a simple test bench example, to show the students how to get up-and-running with HDLs. They are then strongly encouraged to test all of their homework or term project designs with extensive test benches.) I need to supplement the book's discussions of logic synthesis and design verification, but it is a readable, accessible text for the novice or for anyone who knows one HDL and wishes to learn the rudiments of the other one.
August 06, 2007

Good reference for translating vhdl to verilog or vice versa.

I expect that this is the only book in print with vhdl-93 and verilog-95 examples side by side. For this reason it is a good reference for anyone knowing vhdl or verilog and wishing to quickly learn the other language for synthesis. Appendix B is a good cross reference for the two description languages.

This book does not cover HDL simulation and there are no testbench examples. The synthesis coverage of both languages is shallow. However for a designer who already knows one language and needs to learn the other, this book is an good value. I would also suggest that the word "Programming" be stricken from the title in the next edition, because this is not what hardware description is about.
April 10, 2007

Doesn't go far enough in depth, not organized well

I bought this book to learn verilog, pretty much because it had decent reviews and it's fairly cheap compared to other Verilog books. Well, you get what you pay for. Although I admire the author's attempts to try and cover both HDL languages, I had 2 major problems with the book:

1. It doesn't go in depth enough - This book would have been fine totally dedicated to either Verilog or VHDL, but it tries to cover both and doesn't cover the advanced details a professional or advanced grad student would need. It is a good primer for undergrads at best.

2. Minor flaw, but I didn't like how the book is organized. Like I said in point #1, if the book was either Verilog or VHDL it may have been sufficient. The author organizes the book so that a topic is covered for Verilog, then VHDL...then the next topic is covered in Verilog and then VHDL. I would have preferred if the first half of the book covered verilog, then the second half covered VHDL. If somebody is trying to learn Verilog like myself, I don't have to read a chapter, skip the next chapter, then read the next chapter...and so on and so forth.
April 03, 2007

The master teacher of HDL fundamentals

Nazeih M. Botros' HDL PROGRAMMING FUNDAMENTALS: VHDL AND VERILOG includes a cd of code for all the full programs from the book plus detailed in-depth descriptions of ASIC and FPGAs, as well as an overview of CAD tools. HDL is a CAD tool which offers designers a more efficient way for synthesizing chip designs, and this book is the master teacher of HDL fundamentals, covering both IEEE standardized languages VHDL and Verilog. Highly recommended for advanced students.

March 17, 2006

Automating Integrated Circuit Design

The design of semiconductors has become highly automated as the devices have gotten so complex that designing them by manual means is all but impossible. To assist in the design, the Hardware Definition Language (HDL)and the Very High-Speed Integrated Circuit (VHSIC) Hardware Definition Language (VHDL) were developed. They have become critical tools that the circuit designer must know and understand.

This book is intended to give the undergraduate student a solid background in the use of the software and it's place in the design phase for integrated circuits. It is suitable for any hardware oriented student in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science where an emphasis on integrated circuit design is present. The book presumes no particular background, but some understanding of basic logic and modern algebra will be a help.

A CD included with the book that contains all the examples, code samples and figures.
January 13, 2006

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

Circuit Design with VHDL
by Volnei A. Pedroni

The Design Warrior's Guide to FPGAs (Edn Series for Design Engineers)
by Clive "Max" Maxfield

A Verilog HDL Primer, Third Edition
by J. Bhasker

VHDL : Programming By Example
by Douglas L. Perry

The Designer's Guide to VHDL, Volume 3, Third Edition (Systems on Silicon) (Systems on Silicon)
by Peter J. Ashenden