Module as the basic building block in Verilog - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Module as the basic building block

📖 Scenario: You are designing a simple digital circuit using Verilog. Modules are like small building blocks that you can create and then use to build bigger circuits.In this project, you will create a basic module, add a configuration, write the core logic inside the module, and then display the output using a testbench.

🎯 Goal: Build a simple Verilog module called and_gate that takes two inputs and produces an output which is the AND of the inputs. Then create a testbench to show how the module works.

📋 What You'll Learn

Create a module named and_gate with inputs a and b and output y

Implement the AND operation inside the module

Create a testbench module named testbench to test the and_gate module

Display the output values in the testbench

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

Digital circuits in computers, phones, and other electronics are built using modules like this to create complex functions.

💼 Career

Understanding modules is essential for hardware engineers and anyone working with FPGA or ASIC design.

1

Create the basic module

Create a Verilog module named and_gate with two inputs called a and b and one output called y.

Verilog

module and_gate(input a, input b, output y);
// Your code here
endmodule

Hint

Use the module keyword to start and endmodule to finish the module.

2

Implement the AND operation

Inside the and_gate module, assign the output wire y to be the AND of inputs a and b using an assign statement.

Verilog

module and_gate(input a, input b, output y);
// Your code here
endmodule

Hint

Use assign y = a & b; to connect the output to the AND of inputs.

3

Create a testbench and display output

Create a testbench module named testbench. Inside it, declare reg variables a and b, and wire y. Instantiate the and_gate module. Assign values to a and b to test all input combinations. Use $display to print the inputs and output.

Verilog

module and_gate(input a, input b, output y);
assign y = a & b;
endmodule

module testbench;
// Your code here
endmodule

Hint

Use reg for inputs and wire for output in the testbench. Use initial block to assign values and $display to print.

Practice

1.

What is the main purpose of a module in Verilog?

easy

A. It defines a reusable block of hardware design.

B. It runs software programs inside the chip.

C. It stores data permanently like a hard drive.

D. It controls the power supply of the circuit.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what a module represents

   A module in Verilog is a block that describes hardware behavior or structure.

2. Step 2: Identify the purpose of modules

   Modules help organize and reuse hardware design parts, not software or power control.

3. Final Answer:

   It defines a reusable block of hardware design. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Module = reusable hardware block [OK]

Hint: Modules are like building blocks for hardware [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking modules run software code
• Confusing modules with memory storage
• Assuming modules control power

2.

Which of the following is the correct way to start and end a Verilog module named my_module?

?

easy

A. start my_module; finish

B. module my_module(); endmodule

C. begin my_module() end

D. module: my_module() endmodule:

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Verilog module syntax

   A module starts with the keyword module followed by the module name and ends with endmodule.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   module my_module(); endmodule uses correct keywords and syntax. Others use invalid keywords or punctuation.

3. Final Answer:

   module my_module(); endmodule -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   module ... endmodule = correct syntax [OK]

Hint: Modules always start with 'module' and end with 'endmodule' [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using wrong keywords like start or finish
• Missing parentheses after module name
• Adding colons or semicolons incorrectly

3.

What will be the output of the following Verilog module when input_a = 1 and input_b = 0?

module simple_and(input input_a, input input_b, output reg out);
  always @(*) begin
    out = input_a & input_b;
  end
endmodule

medium

A. out = input_b

B. out = 1

C. out = input_a

D. out = 0

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the operation inside the module

   The module assigns out as the AND of input_a and input_b.

2. Step 2: Calculate the AND of inputs

   Given input_a = 1 and input_b = 0, 1 & 0 = 0.

3. Final Answer:

   out = 0 -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   1 AND 0 = 0 [OK]

Hint: AND output is 1 only if both inputs are 1 [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming output equals one input directly
• Confusing AND with OR operation
• Ignoring that output is reg type

4.

Identify the error in this Verilog module code:

module faulty_module(input a, input b, output reg c);
  always @(*) begin
    c = a | b
  end
endmodule

medium

A. Wrong sensitivity list in always block.

B. Incorrect use of 'reg' for output.

C. Missing semicolon after assignment inside always block.

D. Module name should be capitalized.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check syntax inside always block

   The assignment c = a | b is missing a semicolon at the end.

2. Step 2: Verify other parts

   Using reg for output is correct; sensitivity list @(*) is valid; module names can be lowercase.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing semicolon after assignment inside always block. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Statements inside always need semicolons [OK]

Hint: Always end statements inside always block with semicolon [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting semicolon after assignment
• Thinking output cannot be reg
• Believing sensitivity list must list signals explicitly

5.

You want to create a Verilog module named counter that counts from 0 to 3 repeatedly using a 2-bit output count. Which module header and port declaration is correct?

hard

A. module counter(input clk, output reg [1:0] count); endmodule

B. module counter(output reg [2:0] count, input clk); endmodule

C. module counter(input clk, output [1:0] count); endmodule

D. module counter(input clk, output reg count[1:0]); endmodule

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct port order and types

   The clock input clk should be input, and count is a 2-bit register output, declared as output reg [1:0] count.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   module counter(input clk, output reg [1:0] count); endmodule correctly declares ports and types. module counter(output reg [2:0] count, input clk); endmodule has wrong bit width. module counter(input clk, output [1:0] count); endmodule misses reg for output assigned inside always block. module counter(input clk, output reg count[1:0]); endmodule uses incorrect syntax for bus declaration.

3. Final Answer:

   module counter(input clk, output reg [1:0] count); endmodule -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Output reg [1:0] count with input clk = correct [OK]

Hint: Use 'output reg [bits]' for outputs assigned in always blocks [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting 'reg' for output assigned in always block
• Incorrect bus declaration syntax
• Swapping input and output order