789 points by logic_detective 5 months ago flag hide 69 comments
john_doe 5 months ago next
This is a really interesting topic! I've always wanted to learn more about reverse engineering digital circuit designs in Verilog and SystemVerilog.
code_whiz 5 months ago next
@john_doe I completely agree! I've found that starting with a high-level understanding of the system and then diving into the lower-level Verilog/SystemVerilog Details can be very helpful.
circuit_queen 5 months ago next
@code_whiz Yes, that's a great approach! I also find it helpful to create visual diagrams of the system while working through the code.
tech_guru 5 months ago prev next
I recommend checking out open-source Verilog projects on Github to get started. It's a great way to learn from existing code.
verilog_fan 5 months ago next
@tech_guru I'll definitely do that! Any recommendations for specific projects to start with?
systemverilog_expert 5 months ago prev next
Another tip is to become familiar with SystemVerilog. It has many more features than traditional Verilog and is now widely used in the industry.
john_doe 5 months ago next
@systemverilog_expert Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely be sure to learn SystemVerilog as well.
code_whiz 5 months ago prev next
I've also found SystemVerilog's object-oriented programming capabilities to be really helpful for creating complex circuit designs.
new_to_ers 5 months ago prev next
I'm completely new to Reverse Engineering and HDLs, any suggested resources to start learning it?
ers_tutor 5 months ago next
@new_to_ers To get started with Reverse Engineering, I would recommend checking out resources on digital design Fundamentals and then moving on to HDL specific resources.
learning_hub 5 months ago prev next
@new_to_ers I Started with 'Digital Design and Computer Architecture' book and found it very helpful, also 'Logical Design with Verilog-HDL' is specifically focused on the Verilog
gers_enthusiast 5 months ago prev next
I have seen a few cool Verilog/SystemVerilog projects on Kickstarter as well, that might be a good starting point
verilog_newbie 5 months ago prev next
I'm new to Verilog and I'm wondering what the most important concepts to learn first are?
verilog_veteran 5 months ago next
@verilog_newbie Becoming familiar with the basics of digital design is important, as well as understanding the structure of Verilog code, including the use of modules, always blocks, and initial blocks.
newbie_again 5 months ago next
@verilog_veteran Thanks, could you please explain me what's the difference between modules, always blocks, and initial blocks?
rtl_rockstar 5 months ago prev next
@verilog_newbie I'd also recommend starting with RTL (Register Transfer Level) design, understanding the concept of Flip-flops, Latches, and Gates will be useful in understanding the Verilog code
more_examples 5 months ago next
@rtl_rockstar Do you happen to have a recommend link to a website or a book that have a lot of examples of RTL design using Verilog ?
v_tutorials 5 months ago next
@more_examples 'Verilog HDL Digital Design Handbook' is a very good resource, it has a lot of examples that will be helpful in understanding the RTL design concepts in Verilog
tool_tips 5 months ago prev next
I'd also like to add that there are many tools available for reverse engineering and simulating digital circuits, such as Icarus Verilog and ModelSim
model_user 5 months ago next
@tool_tips Yes, ModelSim is a powerful tool for simulation, debugging and Verification of Verilog and SystemVerilog designs, but also comes with a cost.
free_alternatives 5 months ago prev next
@tool_tips Although there are free, open-source alternatives like GTKWave for waveform visualization and Icarus Verilog for simulation, they can have a learning curve for the newcomers
learning_again 5 months ago prev next
I've always wanted to learn digital circuits, but never had the chance. What are the best resources for beginners?
edx_learner 5 months ago next
@learning_again Edx offers a series of free online courses on digital circuits and Verilog, You can check that out
coursera_buff 5 months ago prev next
@learning_again I started with 'Principles of Digital Design' course on Coursera. I really liked their way of explaining concepts.
books_galore 5 months ago prev next
@learning_again 'Digital Design' by Morris Mano and 'The Art of Electronics' by Horowitz & Hill are two classic books for beginners, also 'structured digital design' by Thomas & Moorby
design_flow 5 months ago prev next
Also the design flow for reverse engineering is important, first understanding the circuit, then defining a testbench, making a simulation, then verification and validation.
asic_designer 5 months ago next
@design_flow The design flow for ASICs and FPGAs are different, the former having a more rigorous approach due to physical limitations, So make sure to know the specific design flow for that
not_sure 5 months ago next
@asic_designer I'm planning to work with FPGAs, So could you please point me to the specific resources for FPGA design flow assessment ?
fpga_master 5 months ago next
@not_sure I'd recommend checking out the documentation of Xilinx and Altera, they are the two big players in the FPGA industry, and have extensive resources for designs
fpgas_guy 5 months ago prev next
@not_sure Also look for the open-source tools like Project IceStorm which supports Lattice FPGA, for small and easy Projects
latest_trends 5 months ago prev next
What are the latest trends in digital circuit designs, specifically in Verilog/SystemVerilog?
verilator_enthusiast 5 months ago next
@latest_trends Verilator for simulation has been getting rave reviews recently, it's a lot faster than other simulators like ModelSim. Plus it's open-source and free.
language_implementer 5 months ago prev next
@latest_trends Language implementation like Bluespec SystemVerilog and MyHDL pushes the language boundaries, they might be useful for Complex designs
formal_verifier 5 months ago prev next
@latest_trends Formal Verification is becoming more common for complex designs as well, It helps a lot to prove the functional correctness of the design, though It's not a replacement for simulation
hardware_accelerator 5 months ago prev next
@latest_trends Hardware acceleration and C-to-gates solutions like High-Level Synthesis (HLS) are becoming more popular as well.
early_days 5 months ago prev next
I'm new to this, what were the early days of digital circuit Design like and how far have we come?
old_timer 5 months ago next
@early_days Early days were a lot more manual, and tedious. Basics of digital design were taught using Logic gates, now you can do the same thing using a small piece of Verilog code.
history_guy 5 months ago prev next
@early_days The history of digital design goes all the way back to the vacuum tubes and relays, before transistors were invented. The field of electronic design automation has drastically changed the way we design digital circuits
techn_evolver 5 months ago prev next
@early_days The field has evolved drastically, now we have a lot of automated tools, higher level of abstraction and languages like SystemVerilog and Hardware description languages like VHDL, MyHDL, Chisel
modern_tools 5 months ago prev next
What are the modern tools for Verilog/SystemVerilog design and simulation?
transistor_whiz 5 months ago next
@modern_tools Cadence tools like JasperGold and NCVerilog are quite popular for verification are quite powerful, but are quite expensive.
open_source_lover 5 months ago prev next
@modern_tools I personally like using open-source tools like Icarus Verilog and GTKWave for simulation but they can be hard to learn at first
favorite_tool 5 months ago prev next
@modern_tools ModelSim is still extremely popular in the industry for its features and debugging capabilities but its expensive. I'd recommend starting with a free alternative and then moving to a paid one if needed.
shall_i 5 months ago prev next
Should I start with Verilog or SystemVerilog for my first digital circuit design?
hello_world 5 months ago next
@shall_i SystemVerilog has more features than Verilog, But I would recommend starting with Verilog, it's easier to understand and then move on to SystemVerilog once you have a grasp of the basics
starting_point 5 months ago prev next
@shall_i I started with Verilog, it gives you a strong foundation of digital design concepts, later on I learned SystemVerilog for complex design constraints and testbench development.
classic_go 5 months ago prev next
@shall_i I'd recommend starting with digital design Fundamentals, Learn digital circuits and RTL design before starting with Verilog or SystemVerilog, It'll give you a strong background
hedge_your_bet 5 months ago prev next
@shall_i You can also learn both at the same time, the syntax is quite similar, this way you'll have the ability to use the best language depending on the design.
try_both 5 months ago prev next
@shall_i Try to write the same digital design with both Verilog and SystemVerilog, that way you'll learn the strengths and weaknesses of both.