Xilinx module level utilization report

 In my application, following report has been generated.
For example, the "door_sens" module have "85/85" in the slices tab, but "hdlc1" have "126/467" on the same field.

What does that mean ?

* Slices can be packed with basic elements from multiple hierarchies.
  Therefore, a slice will be counted in every hierarchical module
  that each of its packed basic elements belong to.
** For each column, there are two numbers reported a / b
a  is the number of elements that belong to that specific hierarchical module.
b  is the total number of elements from that hierarchical module and any lower level
   hierarchical modules below.
*** The LUTRAM column counts all LUTs used as memory including RAM, ROM, and shift registers.

---

Module	Partition	Slices	Slice Reg	LUTs	LUTRAM	BRAM	MULT18X18	BUFG	DCM
[-] proj_top/		897/3797	80/2859	1347/4701	0/3	0/10	0/0	2/8	0/0
door_sens		85/85	71/71	105/105	0/0	0/0	0/0	0/0	0/0
[+] hdlc1		126/467	113/464	106/652	0/0	0/2	0/0	0/0	0/0
[+] hdlc2		120/465	113/470	98/644	0/0	0/2	0/0	0/0	0/0
inp_scan		685/685	631/631	735/735	0/0	0/0	0/0	0/0	0/0
[+] uart0		118/377	112/359	103/388	0/1	0/2	0/0	0/2	0/0
[+] uart1		123/381	112/359	104/389	0/1	0/2	0/0	0/2	0/0
[+] uart2		123/384	114/361	112/397	0/1	0/2	0/0	0/2	0/0
watchdt		56/56	64/64	44/44	0/0	0/0	0/0	0/0	0/0

Failing conventionally

"Failing conventionally is acceptable" Warren Buffett once said, "is the way to go
There are many people making a very good living out failing alongside everybody else

"Where you are is not who you are"
"Ants don't quit"
Uncertainty is the only certainty in life

Business Philosophy:-
Our philosophy is simple - we never miss a deadline, we never exceed the budget, and the work we produce is impeccably realised.

NC Verilog : Representing digital simulations in an Analog way

After many hours of research and meticulous reading. Finally we could represent digital simulations in an analog way in Cadence, NC Verilog simulator.

Select the trace you want to show as Analog
Go to the "format" menu, select "trace", and then "Analog / Sample + Hold"

You may not see what you expect at first, but go over to the right hand side of the trace, and click on the little icon that looks like a box, and it will then display all values - you can adjust how it looks at the left hand side of the trace by click/dragging the red line - it will stretch it out in the y direction.
Still does not make sense try minimizing the waveform/ fit in the window in the simulator i.e. "=" and that should do the trick. 

Virtuoso: Steps for mixed signal simulation

Aim of this is to guide entry level engineers/ curious people to get started with Mixed signal simulation using Virtuoso environment
Note: 'à' stands for --> in this document.

a)      Virtuoso &

b)      Tools  à Library manager

Creating new Library can be done through

1)      File à new library

Note: You will be prompted to give the directory path at which the library will be created

2)      Dialog box: Technology file for trial library

Click on à Do not need process information and click okay

To copy some digital cells into the new created library

The best way to do that will be

1)      Go to the library whose cell needs to be copied

2)      Copy the cell or the view which you would like to copy. You can do this by simply right click and copy

3)      A dialog box will prompt you to give the library where u would like to copy the new cell/view files

4)      Press okay

5)      Copy problems à Check the message window for files and make a decision if you need to over write the files if they already exist during this process à Click on fix errors /Overwrite all and then press okay

6)      After copying all the desired verilog views

7)      This step is required only if we have copied views from another library. Double click on the schematic à Click on the copied view and press Q à Library name should coincide with the present working library name

Create new Config file

1)      Create the config file. File à New à Cellview  press okay

2)      New drop down menu Select view à Schematic à click on Use template à Select from drop down menu AMS

3)      Save

To populate a library with verilog cell views hierarchically from a verilog text file

Note: For populate you have to be in the config view.

            This step is important for viewing the signals through a hierarchical way/ internal signals.

1)      Populate à File Populate à

2)      From Section à Browse to the path of the top level verilog file

3)      To Section à From the drop down menu select the New Created Library

4)      View à Verilog e.g. instead of module

5)      Tick on the update library list

6)      Click on the Update icon in the config view

7)      Save all the changes made

To run the simulation

1)      Double click on config

2)      Dialog box will emerge à yes for configuration and top cell view

3)      Schematic editor window click Launch à ADE L

4)      Simulation window, Setup à Simulator à AMS

5)      Simulation window, Analysis à Stop Time to be specified

6)      Simulation window, To view the outputs: Go to à Select from HED for hierarchical digital signals / Select on schematic for available signals to be probed

NET "SYS_CLK" CLOCK_DEDICATED_ROUTE = FALSE

FPGA error while implementing

Place:1012 - A clock IOB / reset_n component pair have been found that are not placed at an optimal clock IOB / reset site pair. The clock component is placed at site . The clock IO/ reset site can be paired if they are placed/locked in the same quadrant. The IO component is placed at site . This will not allow the use of the fast path between the IO and the Clock buffer. If this sub optimal condition is acceptable for this design, you may use the CLOCK_DEDICATED_ROUTE constraint in the .ucf file to demote this message to a WARNING and allow your design to continue. However, the use of this override is highly discouraged as it may lead to very poor timing results. It is recommended that this error condition be corrected in the design. A list of all the COMP.PINs used in this clock placement rule is listed below. These examples can be used directly in the .ucf file to override this clock rule.
< NET "SYS_CLK" CLOCK_DEDICATED_ROUTE = FALSE; >

CLOCK_DEDICATED_ROUTE (Clock Dedicated Route)
The CLOCK_DEDICATED_ROUTE (Clock Dedicated Route) constraint:
• Is an advanced constraint.
• Directs the tools whether or not to follow clock placement rules for a specific
architecture.

If the constraint is not used or set to TRUE, clock placement rules must be followed.
Otherwise, placement will error. If the constraint is set to FALSE, it directs the tools to
ignore the specific clock placement rule and continue with place and route. If possible,
all clock placement rule violations should be fixed in a design in order to ensure the best
clocking performance. This constraint is intended to be used only in limited situations
when it is absolutely necessary to violate a clock placement rule. For more information
about specific clock placement rules, see the Hardware User’s Guide.

Architecture:
Applies to FPGA devices. Does not apply to CPLD devices.

Palak for Bachelors

I thought of making Palak today.
I do not like the color of Palak and also had a bitter taste sometimes.

Curious about can I do some thing good and eat healthy. So tried making Palak after taking tips from wife Nija.
This blog is a testimonial for making good palak which tastes good and is also healthy.

The purpose of writing this is for people who are bachelors/ married like me and Nija but still staying apart but would like enjoy a healthy meal sometimes :)
Secondly who want to prepare healthy food but fast.
Thirdly get confused with a long list of things required for preparing palak. 

Ingredients required for making great Palak gravy (This is for 2 people only)
Essential
* Palak i.e. 3-4 bunches
* Onion i.e. One and half onion finely cut
* garlic i.e. 3 peaces finely cut
* Tomato i.e. 2 is ideal
* Chilli powder i.e. half spoon will be fine
* Salt i.e. as per taste

Nice to have ingredients are
* Indian spices
* Jeera
* Paneer (if you want to make Palak Paneer or a fan of Paneer)

Note: To prepare Palak in 20 minutes you need two gas burners
a) Burner 1 On one burner after washing the palak boil it for 2-3 minutes
Note: Stem of the palak should be avoided.
b) Burner 2 Add 2 teaspoon of oil, make use of Indian spices and Jeera right now and let it fry for some time. Or directly move to Ginger.
c) In the mean time cut the onions and add to the Ginger paste with some salt.
d) Let the onions become brown.
Note: Its best to keep the gas burner slow at this stage.
e) Remove the palak which is cooked and then use the mixer to make a thin paste
f) Till the onions become brown please cut the tomatoes. Tomatoes should be finely chopped if possible.
g) Add the tomatoes to the brown onions with some more salt.
h) Add some red chili powder (This depends on how spicy you want to have the curry)
h) Add the grinded Palak to the onions and the tomatoe paste.

Optional if you have /like paneer
i) Add paneer/ cheese to Palak with some cream and make Palak Paneer.

Its quite simple and ready to eat in 20 minutes
One of the book says the best way to reduce weight is to eat food fresh :)
Note: Food cooked 3 hrs before is still considered fresh as per the book

Problems of employment and how to tackle them

This blog only covers what to do when you do get cheated by the employer and what are the UK government employment policies and process.

This blog does not cover information on
a) Hours of work
b) What should be the pay
c) How to avoid exploitation

My personal experience is that asian employers exploit you the most. I am sure there will be exceptions on this and it is not the rule of thumb.

I have always come across situations where people try to exploit and misuse the process which is actually meant to improve the quality of our life.
The most common of all are
a) Do not pay for the number's of hours worked
This is very common in the service industry. I have always seen student's who come to the UK are exploited a lot or they want to be exploited. They give them more hours to work but do not pay the minimum wages. This is a win win situation for the employer and the employee.
Note: This is against the law :)
But there are instances that you work and still do not get paid. In such instances we should fight for what is unfair. According to me employer and the employee both are breaking the law. Employee is breaking the law by not reporting this atrocities and employer is misusing his position.
b) Misuse of the timesheets
This is also one of the common things employees misuse. Its always good to keep a record of time we have worked if you are paid on hourly basis. Though punching cards/ electronics machine has helped in solving this issue.
c) Racial abuse and mistreatment
This is one of the most disgusting thing I feel in life. Mostly this happens when people take the other person for granted. Report it to the concerned authority.

Legal process
In UK any Employment issue should be brought to the notice of employment tribunal within a period of 3 months after the incident has happened.
Claims regarding number of hours worked, racial abuse, employment issues should be reported soon as possible/ three months before the incident has occurred.

There are a lot of Solicitors who work on this issue. Most of the problems are resolved once you sent a legal notice to the employer. Its very important that a legal notice is served to the person/ company.
Attorney charges are around say 200/ 250 quid. There are some attorney's who do it for free for you as they recover the charges from the other client.

Some of the attorney who work on employment issue is 
http://www.tribunal-online.com/

http://www.employmentlaw.co.uk/

Note: Once the legal notice is served Employer will try to negotiate and try to take time so that they cross the 3 months period. This is a common mistake done. Legally employer has an advantage if you fail to inform the employment tribunal before the 3 month period.

Whizzman Ltd is a company in UK which according to my experience exploits people of asian origin. They operate a restaurant at Walthamstow, London by the name "Indian Bristo".
PWC Solicitors, Illford represent Whizzman Ltd in their wrong doing and negotiations.

Analysis on Mobile Processor: Who will be the winner

The focus of this blog is to analyze the companies competing in the mobile processing market which company will be the dominant force and why.
The 2 main companies which we are trying to analyze here are Intel Inc, USA and ARM Plc, UK. 
Intel's focus has always been performance.The other great thing about Intel is that it stands on to the challenge. Intel after trying to stabilize its monopoly in the high end processor market is trying to focus on the mobile processing. This is an area where it sees a lot of potential.  
The concern for Intel is ARM's strength in low-power consumption and the ARM’s ambitions to enter the net book market. The average consumer drives processing power to meet lifestyle, computing needs is now available on mobile phones and other mobile Internet devices such as net books. 

ARM Plc is a Cambridge, UK based firm its focus from the start has always been making products which consumes less power and this is what it has been doing for quite some time.
Year 2009, Intel has shift its competitive focus from AMD and gearing onto a new but comparatively smaller competitor i.e. ARM. ARM's entry into the net book market which is dominated by Intel/ Is it Intel's entry into mobile processing business that has dominated by ARM.
It's not about who is the culprit, the question is who will thrive and come out victorious.
 

At the heart of all smart phone is a powerful application processor. The processing power of this part rivals the CPU power that was available on mainstream computers only a few years ago. Today, ARM enjoys a 98% share of the application processor slots in smart phones. In addition, a variety of communication, connectivity chips from ARM ecosystem partners are the driving force behind the versatility of smart phones.

The strong points which lie in favor of ARM are
a) ARM has applied the philosophy "United we stand, Divided we fall". We can clearly observe this with its strong ARM community with ARM helping various companies develop new products and trying to win new market's and make new application using ARM's low power processors. ARM is trying to build an ecosystem with the help of its partners. It is a symbiotic relationship that exists only due to the fact that ARM product's at the moment are well suited for the mobile industry due to its performance, power and area. 

b) The Semiconductor Industry on the other hand wants to break Intel's monopoly. The whole industry is betting on ARM. Its better to work with ARM and it's community than to have fierce competition with Intel. This can be seem with Samsung adopting Mali Graphic processors architecture from ARM Plc for its future graphics-enabled system-on-chip (SoC) ICs as well as for its ASIC and foundry business. In the past Samsung has used the PowerVR range of graphics processor cores, which it licensed from Imagination Technologies Group plc (UK), with success in such applications as the Apple iPhone. The close coupling of both the mobile computing and the graphics processor technologies will provide optimized system performance

c) Majority of the companies which build platforms for the cellphone market are already been making use of ARM in its processor. ARM has already proven itself in the cellular business with it's low power processors. Secondly ARM's competitors have failed to produce reliable processors which could disturbe ARM's monopoly in the market. 

d) ARM's business model involves designing and licensing on IP rather than manufacturing and selling of actual semiconductor chips. ARM IP design to create and manufacture system on chip designs, paying ARM a license fee for the original IP and a royalty on every chip or wafer produced. ARM business model is more flexible to develop platforms. IP licensing is also benefiting ARM at the present. 

e) ARM has also been seen co-operating with Global Foundaries to tackle Intel's dominance in mobile computing by delivering ARM chips performing 40% better with no increase in power.
Overall the ARM-Globalfoundries deal is aimed at delivering a 40% increase in computing performance, a 30% decrease in power consumption, and a 100% increase in standby battery life at the 28nm node. ARM has established strategic relationships with other members of the IBM Joint Development Alliance to enable the development of optimised processor and physical IP tuned to the HKMG process.This phenomena is not only restricted to battle between ARM and Intel. But the war has been extended between Intel foundaries and culmination of various Foundries i.e. TSMC/ UMC/ SMC/ Global foundries.

f) AMD will also come in strong and distract Intel from it's venturing into mobile processing market as it has done in the past. 

g) Customer are being more aware of green products. Its been a global phenomena and every person in this world would like to be part of it in the future. We would like to be a part of the green planet and reduce our carbon emission. ARM products are best suited when it comes to battery life and overall reducing its carbon footprint.

Drawback for ARM and its community is that
a) Intel still is number 1 semiconductor company and that is backed by strong Research and Development and a very strong cash flow.
b) Companies like Apple would like to have competition which will help them to negotiate and keep costs in check. Apple would definitely want more competition to keep price, performance and power aspects in check.
c) Processors from MIPS has also seen to be a driving force in the smart phone market.
d) Intel due to its strong cash flow eventually has the capability to acquire ARM.

Analysis: Apple's Business and what's Inside Apple's A4

All engineers would like their design to be a part of a successful product line.
Apple products are the best for their innovative and radical approach towards design.

At the heart of the apple ipad lies a tiny Silicon which is called the brain of the device. A decision maker and a support for all innovations. Thats Apple's A4 a system-on-chip (SoC). A SoC is a combination of Graphics processing unit (GPU), a low- power CPU, memory, and other peripherals.

Apple's Macintosh used to work on Motorola/ Freescale CPU. When Motorola/ Freescale failed to deliver with a high performance CPU it turned towards IBM and then later to Intel. Apple's Macintosh has used Intel processors till now.

Today, Macs remain beholden to Intel's specifications. If Intel can't keep pace, Apple will have to find yet another vendor for CPUs. But now, with the iPad's A4, Apple has demonstrated a new option: It has the ability to take existing designs and re purpose them to give its own products better performance than the competition.

It's extremely unlikely that Apple could leverage ARM architecture for the Mac, as those processors are specifically made for low-power devices, not high-performance workstations or general computing.

With the launch of custom SoC, Apple has clearly indicated that Apple believes in control over its products in every aspect.

If you look at the battery life they're talking about, the i-pad is bigger than the iPhone but it seems like they've done a better job with battery life.

Since "almost all" existing iPhone applications will run on the iPad, it's more likely that Apple is continuing to use upgraded versions of the same graphics cores present in the iPhone, which were created from designs licensed by Imagination Technologies, based in the U.K. But Apple owns just under 10 percent of the company and all iPhone touch models use Imagination's PowerVR MBC family of graphics cores.

A highly integrated SoC like the Apple A4 would take at least 12 to 18 months to design, debug, and manufacture, however, making it unlikely that P.A. Semi (Acquired by Apple) engineers designed it from scratch.
This makes it even more likely that the A4 chip is made primarily of designs that closely match existing ARM cores. Apple would have had to move awfully fast to design its own

ARM-compatible core and the A4 SoC in so short a time. That's why I think the A4 is built on existing cores from ARM.

Another "evidence" for an Arm based processor: the name A4 may stand for Advanced Apple Arm Architecture. The final question arises what will A5 SoC stand for ?

Inside Apple A4 may have amalgamation of these
CPU - Samsung core based on ARM i.e. Cortex A9 multicore CPU for low power.
GPU- Imagination Technologies for "deferred rendering"/ ARM Mali GPU
Memory- Samsung
Wireless chips- Broadcom

Apple clearly indicates that it want's to give the best into it's products, believes in control over its products in every aspect. It also signifies it understand its users and want to build custom specific Silicon and manage costs at each level.

Process after entering the United Kingdom

I have been in the UK for almost 6 months now. I was nervous but preparing myself for this experience.

I am waiting for my wife Nija to join me but before that it will be Vishnu who will be arriving in the UK. I thought of jotting down and making a list of things which I remember I had to do when I arrived in UK.

What this blog covers ?
A) Steps needs to be taken after getting a Entry Clearance i.e. (EC)/ VISA.
B) Steps need to be taken after you reach UK.

This blog does not cover the following :-
a) UK work permit and entry clearance procedures
b) Survival techniques in the UK
c) Things to visit in the UK
d) Who is eligible to work in the UK.
e) How to be confident at the port of entry :)

After Entry Clearance.
a) It is a must that all people get a full body check up done. Try to get all the medical reports in English.
b) Chest X-ray is a must.
c) Please carry a temporary address and phone number of your friend/relative who you are planning to stay with.
d) Keep in mind to carry your medical documents, passport in your hand baggage.
e) It is necessary to also keep your certificates with you i.e. Post graduation certificates
f) List of employers name who you will be giving an interview or name of the agency who you have got in touch.
g) Please carry the local currency i.e. UK pounds with you.
h) Please check the weather report before entering into UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/
i) Its best to carry a umbrella, rain coat at all the times.
j) You will not be disappointed if you are caring proper apparels with you during winter.
k) After the port of entry do make it a point to check all your baggage are in place.
l) It's good to have a traveler's insurance with you.
m) Please do carry a print out of London tube stations and a clear idea of the place you would like to go.
Websites which will provide information about London transport.
For Heathrow please specify " Heathrow terminal X" i.e. X = 1/2/3/4/5
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/
n) Also do take a note of the first and the last tube timings
o) Any normal cellphones will work in the UK. UK only support's GSM network.
p) Do get international roaming activated if you need to call once u arrive at the UK airport and before the port of entry.
q) Apply for International driving license.
r) If you would like to carry less cash while traveling. Prepaid Credit card from SBI called as Vishwa Yatra card would come in handy.

After port of entry ............. Welcome to the UK
1) Phone connection:- Check their tariff. It's difficult to get a contract phone if you are just entering the UK.
Websites to visit are:
O2 : http://www.o2.co.uk/
Virginmobile : www.virgin.com/gateways/mobile/
T mobile: www.t-mobile.co.uk
3: http://www.three.co.uk/Home
Tesco mobile http://www.tesco.com/mobilenetwork/homepage.aspx?page=3
2) Apply for a National Insurance Number i.e. NI number
Please go through this website.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/BeginnersGuideToBenefits/DG_10014073
NI number to start work or make voluntary contributions -
Telephone 0845 600 0643/ 0845 915 7006 (8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to
Friday).
Note: Please visit the website for updated land line number
Jobcentre Plus will check to make sure:
* that you need a NI number
* you don’t already have a NI number

Once you get the NI number, make sure that you do not discard the invitation letter. You will need this to get a bank account.

3) Bank: I had a bitter experience getting a bank account in the UK. They require a proof that you have a job/ you have been living in the UK for quite long time i.e. 6 months or so.
I personally feel HSBC passport account is the best for starters. They do have a charge and its not free. In case if you would like to go with HSBC passport account.
Please do refer my name i.e. Kunal Bandekar with
Sort code:- 40-45-42 and acc no:- 91284363.
By doing so we both benefit as they add 10 quid into our account :)

4) You need to also register yourself with the NHS for medical related illness and other minor health problems
http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx
For NHS registration you need to carry your original passport, and your residence proof

5) Residence proof can be
* Bank documents
* Library ID
* Contract with the landlord.
* License (provisional License is not valid)

6) Applying for a license in the UK.
Please explore the website
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/index.htm

Important thing to do is to apply for Provisional license and then get a license in a year.

7) Library registration: You can register with the council library. You can get access to the intranet with the computer which is free for an hour everyday and access to books.

8) It is a must to get yourself registered for voting in the UK
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/elections/voter-registration

9) Hint for Staying:- Its important to make sure that the place you are planning is a safe place.
My personal experience is that safe places are expensive, cheap places are not safe. Please make sure you have done your research when it comes to rest/ stay.

10) If you are planning to stay in London. The best thing will be to get a Oyster card. This card is economical and convenient. Yearly charge is 10 quid.

11) If you are traveling out of London. The best way is to take a travel card. Showing this card at the train station you will get a discount on your train journey.

12) The big black Taxi in London is very expensive. But it gives a a feeling of old times.

13) The public phones i.e. red colour telephone booth have exorbitant charges associated with it.

999 is the official emergency telephone number
Search for business, people and places
http://www.192.com/

Websites/ consultants for VLSI and software design
www.ic-resources.com
www.arm.co.uk
www.cwjobs.co.uk
www.londonjobs.co.uk

General website which covers employment to places for stay
www.gumtree.com

Enjoy,
Kunal
UK land of possibilities


Number of friends visited :)