In the last class we completed the serial receiver. In this class we will be creating a serial transmitter. Once the transmitter is complete, we will make a mater module that contains both the transmitter and receiver. Then we will connect rx to tx (loopback) and make sure everything is working as planned! If time permits we will mess around with data rates to see how high the rates can go before errors start popping up!

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. Updates to code from last class
2a. Change the state machine
2b. Rename RX module
3. How to transmit serial
4. Create TX module
5. Create a master serial module with RX and TX
6. Wire up in a loopback configuration for testing
7. Potentially play with timings to see how fast the connection can go

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. Breadboard
6. Jumpers

Provided Items:
1. Breadboard and jumpers (if you don’t have any of either)

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!