ECE480/580 Sample questions for Exam #1 The exam will be closed book/notes.
1. A Moore model finite state machine that acts as a “1011” sequence detector is to be designed using behavioral
VHDL. Your design should detect overlapping sequences. Assume the input is named A, the output is named Z
and that an active low reset signal (reset_n) asynchronously resets the machine. The VHDL ENTITY construct
is given. Write the corresponding VHDL ARCHITECTURE construct to implement the FSM. Implement positive
edge triggered flip-flops.
(a) Draw the Moore model state diagram for the FSM.
(b) Write the VHDL ARCHITECTURE construct to implement the FSM.
LIBRARY ieee;
USE ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
ENTITY seqdetect_fsm IS
PORT (A : IN STD_LOGIC;
Clk : IN STD_LOGIC;
reset_n : IN STD_LOGIC;
Z : OUT STD_LOGIC);
END seqdetect_fsm;
ARCHITECTURE Behavior OF seqdetect_fsm IS
TYPE State_type IS (S0,S1,S2,S3,S4);
SIGNAL y: State_type;
BEGIN
PROCESS (reset_n,Clk)
BEGIN
IF reset_n = ‘0’ THEN
y <= S0;
ELSIF RISING_EDGE(Clk) THEN
CASE y IS
WHEN S0 =>
IF A=‘0’ THEN
y <= S0;
ELSE
y <= S1;
END IF;
WHEN S1 =>
IF A=‘0’ THEN
y <= S2;
ELSE
y <= S1;
END IF;
WHEN S2 =>
IF A=‘0’ THEN
y <= S0;
ELSE
y <= S3;
END IF;
WHEN S3 =>
IF A=‘0’ THEN
y <= S2;
ELSE
y <= S4;
END IF;
WHEN S4 =>
IF A=‘0’ THEN
y <= S2;
ELSE
y <= S1;
END IF;
END CASE;
END IF;
END PROCESS;
Z <= ‘1’ WHEN y=S4 ELSE ‘0’;
END Behavior;
2. Write a behavioral VHDL description for a 4-bit shift register. The shift register is to be negative edge triggered.
Sin is a serial input to the most significant bit of the shift register. Sout is a serial output from the least
significant bit of the shift register. En_n is an active low enable. sreg is the 4-bit register. Write only the VHDL
ARCHITECTURE construct. The VHDL ENTITY construct is given below.
LIBRARY ieee;
USE ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
ENTITY shiftreg is
PORT ( CLK : IN STD_LOGIC;
En_n : IN STD_LOGIC;
Sin : IN STD_LOGIC;
Sout : OUT STD_LOGIC);
END shiftreg;
ARCHITECTURE behavior OF shiftreg IS
SIGNAL sreg : STD_LOGIC_VECTOR(3 DOWNTO 0);
BEGIN
PROCESS(clk)
BEGIN
IF FALLING_EDGE(CLK) THEN
IF (En_n=’0’) THEN
Sout <= sreg(0);
sreg <= Sin & sreg(3 DOWNTO 1);
END IF;
END IF;
END PROCESS;
END Behavior;
3. A given FPGA uses 2-input lookup tables to implement Boolean functions. Show a section of a programmed
FPGA that implements the function f(x,y,z)=Σm(0,1,2,5,7).
4. Draw a diagram for typical output circuitry in a PLA. Describe each component.
The D flip-flop provides storage capability for the PLA block, allowing
sequential circuits to be implemented. The multiplexer selects either
registered or non-registered outputs from the PLA. The tri-state gate
allows the output to have tri-state capabilities. Feedback into the
programmable AND plane is provided as well.
5. What is the purpose of a sensitivity list in a VHDL PROCESS block?
The list contains all signals that can be used to activate the process.
6. Give the VHDL statement to implement the logic function in problem 4 using a selected assignment statement.
Define any signals used in the statement.
SIGNAL xyz : STD_LOGIC_VECTOR(2 DOWNTO 0);
xyz <= x & y & z;
WITH xyz SELECT
f <= ‘1’ WHEN “000”,
‘1’ WHEN “001”,
‘1’ WHEN “010”,
‘1’ WHEN “101”,
‘1’ WHEN “111”,
‘0’ WHEN OTHERS;
7. Write a behavioral VHDL description for a 2-to-1 multiplexer. Model the multiplexer as a process block Write
only the VHDL ARCHITECTURE construct. The VHDL ENTITY construct is given below.
LIBRARY ieee;
USE ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
ENTITY mux2to1 IS
PORT ( w : IN STD_LOGIC_VECTOR(1 DOWNTO 0);
s : IN STD_LOGIC;
f : OUT STD_LOGIC );
END mux2to1;
ARCHITECTURE Behavior OF mux2to1 IS
BEGIN
PROCESS (w,s)
BEGIN
IF s = '0' THEN
f <= w(0);
ELSE
f <= w(1);
END IF;
END PROCESS;
END Behavior;
