16 VGA Output for Arduino :: Quicker, easier and cheaper to make your own chip!

How it works

The name is overly ambitious but that's why I'll submit it to future submisisons as I add more features. :)

This project uses the CLK input to generate a VGA output, this will default to a Random noise output, the output can be set to a background colour using the SPI interface. 32'b1000_0000_1111_1100_0000_0000_0000_0000 32-bit configuration word configuration[31:30] = 2'b11 - Set output mode 00 = Random Noise, 01 = Solid Configuration Set Colour, 10 = Coloured Text (Color set by config), 11 = Bouncing Ball configuration[29:24] = 6'b111111 - Background Colour for Solid Colour and Colour Text configuration[23] = (Forced to 0 given utilization issues character memory array data input) configuration[22] = (Forced to 0 given it increases utilization too high, this may be implemented if I choose to join TT05 in the future )character memory array write configuration[21] = Write for the character memory. (Has issues due to utilization, may be implemented if I join TT05 in the future) configuration[20:15] = Character memory being written to row memory address

How to test

The design has been simulated and tested with the eric eastwood simulator using the output generated by tb.v. The output will be tested using a Basys 3 board prior to the final sumbission time permitting. The design is currently set up to output a 640x480 60Hz VGA signal. The output is currently set to a random test pattern. The design will have a way to adjust background colour, and draw onto the display using a few basic SPI commands. (Not yet implemented) I'm testing my output using a VGA simulator tool online https://madlittlemods.github.io/vga-simulator/ and will be testing on a Basys 3 board prior to submission.

External hardware

You're going to need to hook up a VGA output to the chip alongside the clock, to control it you'll need some form of microcontroller

#	Input	Output	Bidirectional
0	SPI MOSI	VGA HSync	SPI MISO
1	SPI CLK	VGA VSync
2	SPI CS	VGA Red 0
3		VGA Red 1
4	btn_up	VGA Green 0
5	btn_down	VGA Green 1
6		VGA Blue 0
7		VGA Blue 1

16 VGA Output for Arduino