We will be switching gears from VGA and moving into interfacing with an SPI-like analog to digital converter (ADC). Specifically the MCP3001. For those of you attending in person, I will have enough on hand for you to use. This chip will allow us to sample an analog voltage using the FPGA. For the first class we will just focus on sampling the ADC (voltage to be created with potentiometers) and displaying the result using the LEDs on the FPGA development board. If time permits, we will plot the value on a VGA monitor.

For those of you with a Nexys3, Basys2, or Atlys, you will be able to connect a VGA cable directly. For those using a Mojo or some other board without a VGA connection, please E-Mail fpga@unallocatedspace.org stating that you need a VGA breakout cable! There are several breakout cables from last class, but we need to make sure there are enough on hand.

The slides for the upcoming and previous classes can be found here. The slides are generally made during the three days before a class.

Agenda:
1. Overview of last class
2. Look over the datasheet
3. Explain the ADC’s communication protocol
4. Create simple VHDL module to communicate with the ADC
5. Use potentiometers to vary the ADC input voltage
6. Use the FPGA board’s LEDs to display the analog value
7. (Time permitting) Display the analog value on a VGA monitor

If you would like to join the class, then please E-Mail fpga@unallocatedspace.org. The class is now to a point where you need to know VHDL prior to joining. We also stream the class on Google Hangouts. Please send an E-Mail to fpga@unallocatedspace.org if you would like to join the Google Hangout.

IMPORTANT You MUST have ISE (not Vivado!) installed prior to the start of class!!! ISE can take upwards of 30 minutes to an hour to install. We will not have time to wait for ISE to be installed. Please go to here and download the ISE Design Suite package for your operating system. If you have licensing or installation issues, please contact fpga@unallocatedspace.org

Required Items:
1. FPGA development board with Spartan 3 or Spartan 6
2. USB cable for programming
3. JTAG programmer if your board does not have USB
4. Laptop with ISE installed and either wired or wireless network connectivity
5. VGA breakout (red, green, blue, horizontal sync, vertical sync, and ground) if you do not have a VGA connector on your dev board.

Provided Items:
1. VGA breakout if you let the instructor know
2. MCP3001

We have been given ‘academic’ status from Digilent Inc (http://www.digilentinc.com). This means that the instructor can (sometimes) purchase boards from Digilent at the academic price. This discount will only apply to people who are attending the class regularly and is on a case-by-case basis from Digilent.

Since Unallocated Space runs off of donations, we would like to mention that the recommended donation for this class is $5. It is by no means a requirement! Attendance to the space, and this class, is 100% free to all!