VHDL Projects (learning repo)

A collection of VHDL labs, mini-projects, and reference code. This repo is meant to be practical: open a folder, run a simulation, learn a concept.

Who this is for

• Students taking a digital design / HDL course
• Self-learners practicing VHDL (combinational logic, sequential logic, testbenches, packages)
• Anyone who wants small, readable examples

Recommended toolchain

Option A (recommended): GHDL (open source)

• Install GHDL
• Optional: GTKWave for viewing waveforms

Option B: ModelSim / Questa

If your university/work uses it, you can run most designs there too.

Quick start (GHDL)

If you’re new, start here:

• docs/getting-started.md
• docs/learning-path.md (the staircase)

1. Install tools

• Ubuntu/Debian:
  • sudo apt-get install ghdl gtkwave

2. Pick a project with a testbench Example:

• Projects/alu-registerfile/ contains tb_*.vhd

3. Simulate one project (example)

cd Projects/alu-registerfile
# Analyze
ghdl -a --std=08 pkg.vhd alu.vhd lab2_part2.vhd tb_lab2_part2.vhd
# Elaborate + run
ghdl -e --std=08 tb_lab2_part2
ghdl -r --std=08 tb_lab2_part2 --vcd=wave.vcd
# View
gtkwave wave.vcd

Repository map

• Projects/ — the best place to start (most consistent)
• LABS/ — lab exercises/submissions
• Codes to learn from/ — older material/exam solutions (less consistent)
• scripts/ — helper scripts
• docs/ — beginner docs and navigation help

Conventions (lightweight)

• Most VHDL here targets VHDL-2008 (--std=08).
• If you add new code:
  • Prefer clear entity/architecture names
  • Include a short comment at the top: purpose + how to run
  • If possible, include a tb_*.vhd testbench

Contributing

PRs are welcome — even small fixes like typos, clearer READMEs, or adding a testbench. See CONTRIBUTING.md.

License

MIT (see LICENSE).