Section 3: MAX+PLUS II Tutorial
Altera Corporation 157
The tutorial is divided into four sections: creating the actual logic circuit,
compiling it, simulating it with multiple sets of inputs, and then
programming an Altera device. To accommodate your level of expertise and
to make sure that you experience some driving pleasure on the way
(remember FahrvergnŸgen?), all files for this project are provided in the
\max2work\chiptrip directory. Thus, you can choose to go through every
single step of the tutorial or take one or more shortcuts by copying the ready-
made files to your working directory. Since the tutorial is divided into
logical chunks, you can stop at any time and continue later. Have a good
trip!
Project Description
The chiptrip tutorial takes you through all major steps of design entry,
compilation, simulation, and programming for a hierarchical project.
Design Entry & Project Processing
You will create five design files using text, graphic, and waveform design
entry. This tutorial describes a Òbottom-upÓ hierarchical design entry
method, in which you create the lower-level designs first and then combine
them in a single top-level design file to create the chiptrip project. A project
consists of all files associated with a particular design, including all
subdesign files and ancillary files; the project name is always the same as the
name of the top-level design file, without the filename extension. In the
chiptrip project, the top-level Graphic Design File (.gdf), chiptrip.gdf,
incorporates four lower-level design filesÑa GDF, two Text Design
Files (.tdf), and a Waveform Design File (.wdf). Each lower-level file
performs a specific function in the driving simulation game:
■The tick_cnt.gdf file, your Òdriving record,Ó counts the number of
police citations you collect as you drive. This counter adds up the
number of tickets issued for ÒillegalÓ speeds in auto_max.tdf and
speed_ch.wdf.
■The time_cnt.tdf file, the ÒclockÓ in your car, counts the number of
clock pulses required for the vehicle to reach Altera.
■The auto_max.tdf file, your Òautomobile,Ó contains a state machine
that monitors the direction and acceleration inputs to the project and
determines the next location (i.e., state) of the vehicle.
81_GSBOOK.fm5 Page 157 Tuesday, October 14, 1997 4:04 PM