UPC EETAC Bachelor's Degree in Telecommunications Systems and in Network Engineering EEL

 

Using and designing data-type flip flop (D_FF)

P5


1. Specifications (using the chip)

The D_FF device is the preferred memory cell to build the state register of a FSM. Let us see how to write it in VHDL using behavioural style. This is the complete design process rec.

table

Fig. 1. Symbol, function table and example timing diagram of a data flip-flop D_FF. Clear direct (CD) and set direct (SD) are respectively the asynchronous reset and set . (Visio).

Analysis of D_FF waveforms (collection problem 5.3).

Commercial synchronous 1-bit D_FF memory cell type 74HCT74 or 74LS273.

 

timing diagram

 

2. Planning for designing the chip

In Fig. 2 there is the circuit's state diagram. It is the best tool to describe how it works complementing the function table. State transitions (arrows) are only possible when there is a CLK's rising edge (the idea of CLK synchronicity). And because it happens for all the transitions we have decided not to annotate it to make a clearer representation. Thus, remember that when you see for example D = 1, it means D = 1 and CLK rising edge.

state diagram 

Fig. 2. State diagram where the arrows indicate the transitions between states accordingly to the given condition, and, in parenthesis in each state there is the indication of the output values. To make it easy, different colours are used to represent outputs and transitions.

Version 1 for writing the D_FF into VHDL (as in many books)

This device is easily written in VHDL as seen in Fig. 3 as a behavioural description (plan B). This D_FF component is to be found anywhere. For instance, as the process for implementing the state register of a FSM.

flow chart

Fig. 3. The flow chart that solves the functionality of the D_FF.

Version 2  for writing the D_FF into VHDL (as in CSD FSM style)

Another way to plan the D_FF, which is translating the state diagram into an architecture, is to conceive it as a FSM, in the same way that here in CSD the other JK_FF and T_FF have been organised. Fig 4 shows the general FSM architecture adapted to the D_FF.

FSM

Fig. 4. The FSM conception and the adaptation to a D_FF component (vsd).

Therefore now, the only thing left is the CC1 and CC2 truth tables and their corresponding behavioural interpretations as flowcharts ans shown in Fig. 5.

CC2
CC1

Fig. 5. The CC1 and CC2 trutht tables and flowcharts derived from the state diagram.

 

3. Development

This is the version 1 of the D_FF.vhd as a simple process (the way it is used in the FSM's state register) and the exact translation of the flow chart in the Fig.3 above.

This is the version 2 of the same D_FF.vhd in the FSM style in Fig. 4 that is used all the time in this CSD course. Naturally, for this simple D_FF, after synthesising the VHDL project, the CC1 and CC2 are reduced to a simple buffer or wire because the state register VHDL is already a D_FF.

Whatever the styles, the synthesiser interprets correctly both behavioural descriptions producing the RTL picture in Fig.6.

D_FF

Fig. 6. The RTL symbol for the D_FF. Generally, we'll use the CD (CLR)asynchronous signal to reset the memory cell when starting operations or in the case where is required to go back to a know state. The SD (PRE) set direct is not used in this model.

And thus, the key point here is that the synthesiser interprets correctly that you have in mind a 1-bit memory cell that corrently is also called register, as shown in the summary report in Fig.7.

Number of registers

Fig. 7. Number of registers used in the synthesis of the circuit.  

 

4. Testing (functional)

This is a sample test bench file D_FF_tb.vhd. It contains a glitch, the meaning of which is a fast signal (shorter than one CLK period) that is not detected by the system. Thus, for a given system, the CLK has to be faster than any input to be processed because if not, it is not seen.

 Run the EDA VHDL tool and demonstrate how the circuit works adding comments to the printed sheet of paper containing the waveforms.

timing
Fig. 6. Example of a timing diagram to show how the circuit works.

5. Testing (gate-level and timing analiser)

Gate-level simulation and timing anayser. Which is the maximum circuit's speed? For instance Fig. 7 shows the propagation time from CLK to output delay measurement in a MAX II EPM2210F324C3.

gate-level
tco
Fig. 7. Example of measurements in a transition from CLK to output.

6. Report

Project report starting with the template sheets of paper, scanned figures, file listings, docx , pptx, or any other resources

 

7. Prototyping

Use training boards and perform laboratory measurements to verify how the circuit works.