DSP Design Using System Generator

Course Description

This course allows you to explore the System Generator tool and to gain the expertise you need to develop advanced, low-cost Digital Signal Processing designs. This intermediate course in implementing DSP functions focuses on learning how to use System Generator for DSP, design implementation tools, and hardware co-simulation verification. Through hands-on exercises, you will implement a design from algorithm concept to hardware verification by using Xilinx FPGA capabilities.

Release Date

November 2009

Training Duration

2 days

Who Should Attend?

System engineers, system designers, logic designers, and experienced hardware engineers interested in DSP design training who are implementing DSP algorithms using the MathWorks MATLAB® and Simulink® software and want to use Xilinx System Generator for DSP design

Prerequisites

• Experience with the MATLAB and Simulink software
• Basic understanding of sampling theory

Software Tools

• Xilinx ISE® Design Suite: System Edition 11.3
• MATLAB with Simulink software R2008b or 2009a

Hardware

• Architecture: Spartan®-6 and Virtex®-6 FPGAs*
• Demo board: Spartan-6 FPGA SP605 board*

* This course focuses on the Spartan-6 and Virtex-6 architectures. Check with your local Authorized Training Provider for the specifics of the in-class lab board or other customizations.

Skills Gained

After completing this comprehensive training, you will have the necessary skills to:

• Describe the System Generator design flow for implementing DSP functions
• Identify Xilinx FPGA capabilities and implement a design from algorithm concept to hardware simulation
• List various low-level and high-level functional blocks available in System Generator
• Identify the high-level blocks available for FIR and FFT designs
• Design a multiple-clock-based System Generator system
• Embed two System Generator designs into a larger design
• Use a custom-designed FPGA PCB as a hardware co-simulation target

Course Outline

Day 1

• Introduction to System Generator
• Simulink Software Basics
• Lab 1: Using the Simulink Software
• Basic Xilinx Design Capture
• Lab 2: Getting Started with Xilinx System Generator
• Signal Routing
• Lab 3: Signal Routing
• Implementing System Control
• Lab 4: Implementing System Control

Day 2

• Multi-Rate Systems
• Lab 5: Designing a MAC-based FIR
• Filter Design
• Lab 6: Designing a FIR Filter Using the FIR Compiler Block
• Xilinx System Generator, Project Navigator, and Platform Studio Integration
• Lab 7: System Generator and Project Navigator Integration

Lab Descriptions

• Lab 1: Using Simulink – Learn how to use Simulink toolbox blocks and design a system. Understand the effect sampling rate.
• Lab 2: Getting Started with Xilinx System Generator – Illustrates a DSP48-based design. Perform hardware co-simulation verification targeting a Xilinx evaluation board.
• Lab 3: Signal Routing – Design padding and unpadding logic by using signal routing blocks.
• Lab 4: Implementing System Control – Design an address generator circuit by using blocks and Mcode.
  
• Lab 5: Designing a MAC-based FIR – Using a bottom-up approach, design a MAC-based bandpass FIR filter and verify through hardware co-simulation by using a Xilinx evaluation board.
  
• Lab 6: Designing a FIR Filter Using the FIR Compiler Block or DAFIR Block – Design a bandpass FIR filter by using the FIR Compiler block to demonstrate increased productivity. Verify the design through hardware co-simulation by using a Xilinx evaluation board.
• Lab 7: System Generator and Project Navigator Integration – Learn how to embed two System Generator designs into a larger design and how VHDL created by System Generator can be incorporated into the simulation model of the overall system.

Special Note

There are two broad approaches to digital signal processing solutions. Hardware-based (such as those implemented in FPGAs) and software-based (aka Digital Signal Processors). As stated above, DSP Design Using System Generator teaches engineers how to use System Generator to enter DSP designs.

For an an uderstanding of how to architect hardware-based DSP designs, MANY engineers also enroll in DSP Implementation Techniques for Xilinx FPGAs. This course teaches how to take advantage of Xilinx FPGA architecture to effectively implement DSP algorithms. The techniques also demonstrate which system-level decisions have the greatest impact on the implementation process and product costs.
Test Your Knowledge

Customer Reviews 

• Before taking this course I had no real knowledge or experience in digital design. I can write Matlab code and things like that to implement DSP algorithms, but I've never actually done anything on hardware. After taking this class I feel like I have knowledge that I can build on as I start learning how to use FPGA and other digital devices. This was a really worthwhile course (and a worthwhile product) for someone like me.
  
  
  
• This instructor has a high level of interest and care in the student learning the material.
  
  
  
• Overall every thing was exellent.