Enroll Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/designing-riscv-cpu-in-verilog-and-fpga/
In the ever-evolving landscape of computing, understanding the core of how processors work is paramount. For anyone interested in custom silicon, embedded systems, or the future of open-source hardware, the RISC-V architecture presents an exciting opportunity. I recently completed the “Designing RISC-V CPU in Verilog and its FPGA Implementation” course on Udemy, and it’s an absolute must-have for aspiring hardware engineers.
This course provides a comprehensive journey from the fundamental principles of digital logic and Verilog HDL to the practical implementation of a RISC-V CPU on an FPGA. The instructor does an excellent job of breaking down the complex process of CPU design into manageable, digestible steps. We start with a solid review of Verilog, ensuring everyone is on the same page before diving into the intricacies of the RISC-V ISA, specifically the RV-32I base integer instruction set.
The real magic happens as the course guides you through the step-by-step design of a single-cycle RISC-V CPU. Each component is meticulously explained and implemented in Verilog: the Instruction Fetch Unit, Decode Unit, Execute Unit (including the ALU), Memory Unit, Write-back Unit, and the crucial Control Unit. The emphasis on best practices for Verilog synthesis, modular design, and robust test benches is invaluable for building reliable hardware.
What truly sets this course apart is its practical, hands-on approach. You don’t just learn theory; you learn how to *build*. The course covers setting up the RISC-V toolchain, writing embedded C programs, compiling them into hex code, and crucially, loading them onto an FPGA. The experience of seeing your custom-designed CPU interact with peripherals like LEDs and UART on actual hardware is incredibly rewarding.
The latter half of the course is dedicated to the FPGA implementation phase. From synthesizing your Verilog code into a netlist to performing place and route, and finally generating the bitstream, the process is clearly laid out. Debugging and testing on the FPGA itself, using a board like the Tang-9K, brings the entire design cycle full circle.
While a basic understanding of digital logic and Verilog is recommended, the course is structured to build upon that foundation effectively. By the end, you’ll not only grasp the architectural nuances of RISC-V but also gain the practical skills needed to transition a design from concept to silicon. This course is an exceptional investment for anyone looking to excel in embedded systems, custom processor design, or hardware acceleration.
Highly recommended!
Enroll Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/designing-riscv-cpu-in-verilog-and-fpga/