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diff --git a/doc/quick_start/DLXModelSuite.rst b/doc/quick_start/DLXModelSuite.rst new file mode 100644 index 000000000..0cdc8be86 --- /dev/null +++ b/doc/quick_start/DLXModelSuite.rst @@ -0,0 +1,67 @@ +.. program:: ghdl +.. _QuickStart:DLX: + +Working with non-trivial designs +================================ + +Designs are usually more complex than the previous examples. Unless you are only studying VHDL, you will work with +larger designs. Let's see how to analyse a design such as the DLX model suite written by Peter Ashenden, which is +distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License. A copy is kept at `ghdl.free.fr/dlx.tar.gz <http://ghdl.free.fr/dlx.tar.gz>`_ . + +- First, untar the sources: ``tar zxvf dlx.tar.gz``. + +.. HINT:: + + In order not to pollute the sources with the artifacts (`WORK` library), it is a good idea to create a + :file:`work/` subdirectory. To any GHDL commands, we will add the :option:`--workdir=work <--workdir>` option, so + that all files generated by the compiler (except the executable) will be placed in this directory. + + .. code-block:: shell + + $ cd dlx + $ mkdir work + +* Then, we will run the ``dlx_test_behaviour`` design. We need to analyse all the design units for the design + hierarchy, in the correct order. GHDL provides an easy way to do this, by :ref:`importing <Import:command>` the + sources: ``ghdl -i --workdir=work *.vhdl``. + +* GHDL knows all the design units of the DLX, but none of them has been analysed. Run the :ref:`make <Make:command>` + command, ``ghdl -m --workdir=work dlx_test_behaviour``, which analyses and elaborates a design. This creates many + files in the :file:`work/` directory, and (GCC/LLVM only) the :file:`dlx_test_behaviour` executable in the current + directory. + +.. HINT:: + + The simulation needs to have a DLX program contained in the file :file:`dlx.out`. This memory image will be loaded + in the DLX memory. Just take one sample: ``cp test_loop.out dlx.out``. + +* Now, you can :ref:`run <Run:command>` the test suite: ``ghdl -r --workdir=work dlx_test_behaviour``. The test bench + monitors the bus and displays each executed instruction. It finishes with an assertion of severity level note: + + .. code-block:: shell + + dlx-behaviour.vhdl:395:11:(assertion note): TRAP instruction + encountered, execution halted + +* Last, since the clock is still running, you have to manually stop the program with the :kbd:`C-c` key sequence. This + behavior prevents you from running the testbench in batch mode. However, you may force the simulator to stop when an + assertion above or equal a certain severity level occurs. To do so, call run with this option instead: + ``ghdl -r --workdir=work dlx_test_behaviour --assert-level=note```. With :option:`--assert-level`, the program stops + just after the previous message: + + .. code-block:: shell + + dlx-behaviour.vhdl:395:11:(assertion note): TRAP instruction + encountered, execution halted + error: assertion failed + +.. TIP:: If you want to make room on your hard drive, you can either: + + * :ref:`Clean <Clean:command>` the design library with ``ghdl --clean --workdir=work``. This removes the executable + and all the object files. If you want to rebuild the design at this point, just do the make command as shown above. + * :ref:`Remove <Remove:command>` the design library with ``ghdl --remove --workdir=work``. This removes the + executable, all the object files and the library file. If you want to rebuild the design, you have to import the + sources again and make the design. + * Remove the :file:`work/` directory: ``rm -rf work``. Only the executable is kept. If you want to rebuild the design, create the :file:`work/` directory, import the sources, and make the design. + +.. WARNING:: Sometimes, a design does not fully follow the VHDL standards. For example it might use the badly engineered ``std_logic_unsigned`` package. GHDL supports this VHDL dialect through some options: :option:`--ieee=synopsys <--ieee>`, :option:`-fexplicit`, etc. See section :ref:`IEEE_library_pitfalls`, for more details. |