readme.txt

Vga Controller source code for Altera FPGA

          +---------------------------------------------------+
          |               Avalon VGA Controller               |
          +---------------------------------------------------+

This is a FIFO-based VGA controller component for use with Avalon and SOPC
Builder.

Installation:
-------------
To install this component, copy the VGA_Controller_component directory contained
in the zip file to the directory <quartus_install_dir>\sopc_builder\components. 
The next time you start SOPC Builder, a component named "VGA Controller" will
appear under the "Display" section.


Running the example:
---------------------
To run the example that comes with the component, you will need the following:
  - Nios Development Board, Stratix 2s60 Edition
  - Lancelot VGA daughter card
  - Quartus II version 5.1 or highter
  - Nios II verison 5.1 or higher
  - An extra VGA monitor to view the video output.
 
1.) Install the Lancelot card onto the 2s60 board using the santa cruz connector
    closest to the 7-segment LED display.

2.) Connect power, USB blaster, and VGA monitor to the board.

3.) Start Quartus II and open the project standard.qpf found in the
    VGA_Controller_example directory.

4.) Open SOPC Builder (Tools -> SOPC Builder) then click Generate

5.) Exit SOPC Builder, save standard.bdf in Quartus II, and compile the design
    (Processing -> Start Compilation)

6.) Configure the 2s60 board with the newly created .sof file.
      - Tools -> Programmer
      - Check the Program/Configure box and press Start

7.) Re-open SOPC Builder (Tools -> SOPC Builder)

8.) Open Nios II IDE (System Generation Tab -> Run Nios II IDE)

9.) Import the example software project to the workspace.
     - File -> Import -> Existing Nios II Project into Workspace
     - Browse -> VGA_Controller_example/software/VGA_Example

10.) Import the example system library project to the workspace.
      - File -> Import -> Existing Nios II Project into Workspace
      - Browse -> VGA_Controller_example/software/VGA_Example_syslib

11.) Run the software project
      - Right click "VGA_Example" project in Nios II IDE -> Run As -> Nios II
        Hardware
     
There are two demos presented when running the software example, an analog
clock, and a rotating cube.  Select either one to run.  To see the other demo,
re-run the software project from Nios II IDE.