I just started to implement my system (OFDM transmitter and receiver) using altera DE1 cyclone II board. In fact, I need advises as first request and I need a VHDL code (or verilog but VHDL is more important for me) for the RS-232 DB9 serial port. I found many codes using google but I need a standard code and simple where I can communicate with its author for explanation.
You can always implement easily one, on your own. However, you can check the communication controllers at opencores.org. You can ask questions there. The integration on the FPGA should be straightforward, once you select your core we can help you on that.
OK, I built a controller but really I do not know how to use it :)
What's your goal. Do you want to use it as a peripheral of a soft-core processor (NIOS) or as a standalone communication interface?
I need to use it to connect Matlab to the OFDM system (inside Altera DE1), so that I can send and receive real time
I also recommend using some kind of soft-cpu along with a RS232 peripheral. I am not familiar with the Altera tools, but it is possible to get an educational license for Xilinx software. The license includes the Microblaze 32-bit microprocessor IP-core and accompanying IP, including RS232 serial port peripheral. You could try getting a similar license from with Altera for their NIOS-based ecosystem. You could also try some of the free IP-cores, e.g. from opencores, as suggested before.
Hi Mark,
Thank you very much for this explanation, I think I will get good help if you answered my next question. My question is: Do you mean that the NIOS II is able to do the job of an RS232 driver?
I have full license for my quartuse II software. Anything related to Altera Quartus II software are licensed for me.
For embedded software/hardware development with Altera, you will also need:
http://www.altera.com/devices/processor/nios2/tools/ni2-development_tools.html
If it's anything like the Xilinx tools, the UART IP core should be easy to add and program. From what I see it is available with the development tools (document page 69):
http://www.altera.com/literature/ug/ug_embedded_ip.pdf
If you have a board with the DB9 connector and a level shifter and/or USB UART you are good to go.
Thank you Marek, your replay was helpful for me. As long as I am new to this work, I can not go directly. Here I saw your links, they were very helpful for me. In fact. I have a question: in the PDF you showed above, on page 70, under section "RS-232 Interface", I read that I need to build an external interface board!!!!!! is this correct?
You will use the Altera's SoPC builder to design a system based on the NIOS II softcore processor. You will include a UART peripheral (Altera provide this for free) and connect it to the FPGA pins which are routed on the DB9 connector. You will use Altera's drivers and example SW to utilize the UART (RS232) peripheral. It's been a while since I've used SoPC but it is highly possible that when you are going to create a new NIOS II based project you will be given the option to include a UART peripheral and the autogenerated system will be up and going. Go ahead and work it your self. You will see that it is rather easy.
Nikos
Hi , you can setup you ofdm in matalb than converted by using DSP builder Altera or Xilinx to get VHDL code, it is easy way.
Mr. Mazin, thank you for your kind answer. In fact, the first step is to build an RS-232 driver then the OFDM system is easy to build, it is ready built in matlab and it can be converted using the HDL coder of matlab to verilog or VHDL.
Currently I finished the RS-232 driver, am trying to connect it to Matlab, after that I will start the OFDM system.
Thank you again for your kind answer.
