• UNIS spol. s r.o, Jundrovska 33, 624 00 Brno, the main proect solver
• Institute of Information Theory and Automation - Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Pod vodarenskou vezi 4, 182 08 Praha 8
• VUT Brno, FIT, DIFS, Bozetechova 2, 612 66 Brno

Book "Virtual Laboratory for Application Development for Microprocessors and FPGAs" (in Czech)

As a summary of this grant, we published the book consisting of main research results and experiences with the realization of the virtual laboratory. The book is in Czech language. More information (in Czech) can be found at book website (including free download).

Integrated Development Environment VLAM (VLAM IDE)

During year 2010 and 2011, as a result of VLAM project, we developed integrated development environment (IDE) for design of small embedded systems for education in our virtual laboratory VLAM (or even locally on your PC). IDE is based on Eclipse 3.6 (Helios) and it supports HW/SW codesign. There is a support for FITkit educational platform and partially for Flexis kit (both created at FIT, BUT Brno). This VLAM IDE is freeware package of plug-ins (feature) for Eclipse 3.6 under BUT Freeware license. Our first public version provides:

• Graphical Component-based Design Editor for FITkit platform (small Xilinx FPGA) with several components to use such as PicoBlaze procesor, LCD display, Matrix keyboard etc.
• Generates VHDL based on the design in GUI editor
• Assembly Language Editor for soft-core processor PicoBlaze-3
• Integration with QDevkKit for programming of FITkit platform
• Several additional features provided by other projects such as: VHDL Editor with syntax highlighting and code completion

Vlaxicon

Vlaxicon is an open-source tool for measurement instruments management. It allows remote control of various instruments such are Agilent generators and oscilloscopes, etc. It is lightweight alternative for Agilent VEE Pro software. For download, follow the link at SourceForge.net.

Functional samples of peripherals for Xilinx Embeded Starter kit Spartan 3E-1600

Functional Sample of Vizualization and Remote Control of VLAM HW. S3E1600 release, in Czech (ZIP, 8.6 MB).

Peripherals for Xilinx Embeded Starter kit Spartan 3E-1600:

1. AD Core - Functional Sample of Controller for A/D Convertor with SPI Bus. S3E1600 release, in Czech (ZIP, 1 MB).
2. BASIC IO CORE - Functional Sample of Electronic Potentiometer Controller. S3E1600 release, in Czech (ZIP, 871 KB).
3. DA Core - Functional Sample of Controller for D/A Convertor with SPI Bus. S3E1600 release, in Czech (ZIP, 735 KB).
4. FC Core - Functional Sample of Frequency Counter. S3E1600 release, in Czech (ZIP, 1 MB).
5. FG Core - Functional Sample of Frequency Generator. S3E1600 release, in Czech (ZIP, 648 KB).
6. LCD Core - Functional sample of LCD display controller. S3E1600 release, in Czech (ZIP 795 KB).
7. NOR FLASH Core - Functional Sample of Intel StrataFlash Controller. S3E1600 release, in Czech (ZIP, 1 MB).
8. PWM Core - Functional Sample of Pulse Width Modulation Generator. S3E1600 release, in Czech (ZIP, 750 KB).
9. SPI FLASH Core - Functional Sample of SPI Serial Flash Controller. S3E1600 release, in Czech (ZIP, 1 MB).

Lectures with PicoBlaze processor

• Lectures 1 - 3 for PicoBlaze Processor in Czech (14.4 MB).
• Lecture 4 for PicoBlaze Processor in Czech (7.2 MB).
• Lecture 5 in Czech: Description of HW Modules for Spartan3E Starter Kit (11.4 MB).
• Lecture 6 in Czech: Processing of Acoustic Signals in FPGA (advanced project) (18.1 MB).
  • This application note deals with a system for digital processing of acoustic signals in FPGA. A set of VHDL components was developed for this purpose. It includes finite impulse response (FIR) and infinite impulse response (IIR) filters and modules that allows to change gain, polarity and delay of the signal. These components are configurable, so as it allows to achieve required performance and quality of signal processing. They are designed with respect to efficient use of FPGA resources as well. The use of these components is shown on a complex system called Audio Processor. There is an example for S3ESK board attached to this note.

Peripherals for Xilinx ESK S3E500 based on PicoBlaze processor

1. ASCII display HW module with PicoBlaze processor (the VLAM peripheral, in Czech) (PDF, ZIP 8.0 MB).
2. Rotary encoder, LEDs, and Switches HW module with PicoBlaze processor (the VLAM peripheral, in Czech) (PDF, ZIP 8.6 MB).
3. Package of HW modules based on PicoBlaze processor (the VLAM peripherals, documentation in Czech) (PDF, ZIP 11.4 MB).
• LCD: display LCD with HD44780 controller
• PWM: 8 channel PWM
• ADC: Controller for A/D convertor LTC1407A-1 and amplifier LTC6912-1
• DAC: Controller for 4-channel D/A convertor LTC2624
• FREQ_CNT:
• FREQ_GEN:
• NOR_FLASH: memory controller for 128MBit Intel StrataFlash Parallel NOR Flash PROM
• SPI_FLASH: memory controller for M25P16 SPI Serial Flash

Translation System for FITKit

During 2008, it was developed scriptable terminal QDevKit for FITKit device. As part of VLAM project Zdenek Vasicek created the following parts and tools:

• new style of programming
• tool for fast programming of FPGA and MCU in FITKit
• the core of translation system based on XML (in Czech)
• console terminal
• Win32 part of multiplatform communication with FTDI circuits
• demonstration applications and modifications of original applications

Extension modules for FITkit

During 2009, there were developed two modules for FITKit platform. In 2010, we introduced demonstration applications for these modules:

• Ethernet Extension Module
• RF 2.4 GHz Extension Module

PicoBlaze C Compiler

During 2008 - 2010, we are developing a C language cross-compiler for 8-bit soft-core Xilinx PicoBlaze-3 processor. To download the current version or read the latest documentation, see our wiki page that is updated weekly. Basic features of the first public version:

• Small Devices C Compiler based front-end (supports and extends C99 standard syntax)
• Syntax analysis of inlined PicoBlaze Assembler (keywords: __asm, __endasm) with support of two dialects (KCPSM3 and pBlazeIDE)
• Basic decimal data types (char [8-bit], short, int [16-32 bit])
• Data stack simulation (function calls, recursion)
• Register allocation optimization
• Disadvantage: Still missing structures, arrays, and pointers

• Dulik Tomas, Krivka Zbynek, Kadlec Jiri, Bliznak Michal, Budikova Vera, Jirak Ota, Olsarova Nela, Trbusek Josef, Vasicek Zdenek: Virtuální laboratoř pro vývoj aplikací s mikroprocesory a FPGA, Brno, CZ, CERM, 2011, p. 82, ISBN 978-80-7204-754-3.
• Jirak Ota, Krivka Zbynek, Vasicek Zdenek: Integrated Development Environment for Virtual Laboratory, In: International Technology, Education and Development Conference, Valencia, ES, IATED, 2011, p. 10, ISBN 978-84-614-7423-3.
• Jirak Ota: Grammar-Based Malicious Code Detection Concept, In: Proceedings of the 17th Conference and Competition STUDENT EEICT 2011 Volume 3, Brno, CZ, FIT VUT, 2011, p. 5, ISBN 978-80-214-4273-3.
• Krivka Zbynek, Vasicek Zdenek: The Virtualization of Development Boards in the Virtual Laboratory of Microprocessor Technology, In: 12th International Carpathian Control Conference (ICCC), Velké Karlovice, CZ, 2011, p. 424-428, ISBN 978-1-61284-359-9.
• Krivka Zbynek, Masopust Tomas: Cooperating Distributed Grammar Systems with Random Context Grammars as Components, In: Acta Cybernetica, Vol. 2011, No. 1, US, p. 15, ISSN 0324-721X.
• Olsarova Nela: Component Interconnection Inference Algorithm (in Czech), In: Proceedings of the 17th Conference and Competition STUDENT EEICT 2011 Volume 2, Brno, CZ, FIT VUT, 2011, p. 3, ISBN 978-80-214-4272-6.
• Bliznak Michal, Dulik Tomas: Virtual Laboratory of Microprocessor Technology Application, In: Proceedings of 21st DAAAM Symposium, Zadar, HR, DAAAM International, 2010, p. 1-2, ISBN 978-3-901509-73-5.
• Jirak Ota, Krivka Zbynek, Olsarova Nela, Vasicek Zdenek: Odvozovani propojeni komponent pro podporu navrhu pro male FPGA cipy, In: DATAKON 2010 Proceedings (Ed. Petr Saloun), Mikulov, CZ, Ostravska univerzita v Ostrave, 2010, p. 81-90, ISBN 978-80-7368-424-2. (in Czech)
• Jirak Ota, Krivka Zbynek, Vasicek Zdenek: Component Interconnection Inference Tool Supporting the Design of Small FPGA-based Embedded Systems, In: Proceedings of the IADIS International Conference Applied Computing 2010, Timisoara, RO, IADIS Press, 2010, p. 230-234, ISBN 978-972-8939-30-4.
• Jirak Ota, Krivka Zbynek: Hardware Design Tool based on Eclipse Modeling Framework, In: Proceedings of the 44th Spring International Conference Modeling and Simulation Systems, Ostrava, CZ, MARQ, 2010, p. 138-144, ISBN 978-80-86840-51-2.
• Jirak Ota: Table-Driven Parsing of Scattered Context Grammar, In: Proceedings of the 16th Conference Student EEICT 2010 Volume 5, Brno, CZ, FIT VUT, 2010, p. 171-175, ISBN 978-80-214-4080-7.
• Jirak Ota, Kolar Dusan: Derivation in Scattered Context Grammar via Lazy Function Evaluation, In: 5th Doctoral Workshop on Mathematical and Engineering Methods in Computer Science, Brno, CZ, MUNI, 2009, p. 118-125, ISBN 978-80-87342-04-6.
• Jirak Ota, Kolar Dusan: Derivation in Scattered Context Grammar via Lazy Function Evaluation, In: Dagstuhl Post-proceedings of the Annual Doctoral Workshop on Mathematical and Engineering Methods in Computer Science (MEMICS'09), Wadern, DE, DROPS, 2009, p. 10, ISBN 978-3-939897-15-6.
• Jirak Ota, Krivka Zbynek: Design and Implementation of Back-end for PicoBlaze C Compiler, In: Proceedings of the IADIS International Conference Applied Computing 2009, Rome, IT, IADIS Press, 2009, p. 135-138, ISBN 978-972-8924-97-3.
• Jirak Ota, Krivka Zbynek: Simulation-based Debugging of 8-bit Softcore Processor, In: Proceedings of XXXIth International Autumn Colloquium Advanced Simulation of Systems, Ostrava, CZ, MARQ, 2009, p. 68-73, ISBN 978-80-86840-47-5.
• Jirak Ota: Delayed Execution of Scattered Context Grammar Rules, In: Proceedings of the 15th Conference and Competition STUDENT EEICT 2009 Volume 4, Brno, CZ, FIT VUT, 2009, p. 405-409, ISBN 978-80-214-3870-5.
• Kolar, Dusan: Exploitation of Scattered Context Grammars to Model Constraints between Components, In: Proceedings of 31st Autumn International Colloqium ASIS 2009, Advanced Simulation of Systems, Ostrava, CZ, MARQ, 2009, p. 13-18, ISBN 978-80-86840-47-5.
• Krivka Zbynek, Masopust Tomas: A Note on the Cooperation in Rewriting Systems with Context-Dependency Checking, In: 11th Italian Conference on Theoretical Computer Science, Cremona, IT, 2009, p. 129-135.
• Jirak Ota, Krivka Zbynek, Vasicek Zdenek: Debugging of Small FPGA-Based Embedded System, In: Proceedings of ASIS 2008, Ostrava, CZ, MARQ, 2008, p. 6, ISBN 978-80-86840-42-0.
• Vasicek Zdenek: Adaptivni hardware na bazi vyvijejicich se obvodu (in Czech), In: Pocitacove architektury a diagnostika 2008. Cesko-slovensky seminar pro studenty doktorandskeho studia, Liberec, CZ, 2008, pp. 119-124, ISBN 9788073723781.
• Vasicek Zdenek: Towards Automatic Design of Competitive Image Filters in FPGAs, In: Proceedings of Junior Scientist Conference 2008, Vienna, AT, 2008, p. 2.
• Kolar Dusan, Cerny Stanislav: Component Technologies in Virtual Laboratory Framework, In: 3rd IFIP Central and Eastern European Conference on Software Engineering Techniques CEE-SET 2008, Wroclaw, PL, PWR WROC, 2008, pp. 179-188.
• Jirak Ota, Kolar Dusan: Control Flow Graph Retrieval and Analysis via Simulation, In: MOSIS '08, Ostrava, CZ, MARQ, 2008, pp. 67-74, ISBN 978-80-86840-40-6.
• Krivka Zbynek: Rewriting Systems with Restricted Configurations, Brno, CZ, FIT VUT, 2008, 131 p., ISBN 978-80-214-3722-7.
• Kadlec Jiri, Danek Martin, Kohout Lukas: Proposed Architecture of Configurable, Adaptable SoC. In: The IET Irish Signals and Systems Conference ISSC 2008. London: Institution of Engineering and Technology, 2008. pp. 368-373, ISBN 978-0-86341-931-7.
• Kolar Dusan, Krivka Zbynek, Schonecker Rudolf: Component-based Design of Embedded Systems witch FPGA Support, In: Proceedings of XXIXth International Autumn Colloquium Advanced Simulation of Systems, Ostrava, CZ, MARQ, 2007, p. 167-172, ISBN 978-80-86840-34-5.
• Krivka Zbynek, Lorenc Lubos, Schonecker Rudolf: A Note on the Parsing of Complete VHDL-2002, In: Information Systems and Formal Models (Proceedings of 2nd International Workshop on Formal Models (WFM'07)), Opava, CZ, SLU, 2007, p. 245-248, ISBN 978-807248-006-7.