FPGA VGA solution for an 8-bit 6502 microprocessor

[rehsd]

I'm starting a rather odd project. I'm hoping to build an FPGA-based VGA solution to connect to a 6502 microprocessor, so that the 6502 can output to VGA. As I'm getting into this, I would be interested in anyone's input/guidance. I've posted more details here. I plan to use an Arty A7. The first two questions I have:

• Are there any good resources, recommendations, or suggested starting points for utilizing DDR3 RAM on the Arty (from VHDL and/or MicroBlaze)?
• Are there MicroBlaze examples for VGA output available anywhere, and possibly a foundational text and graphics library?

Thanks!

[rehsd]

In the original link above, you'll see I have the VHDL VGA demo running fine.

I have not had any luck in finding a decent MicroBlaze VGA solution for the Arty. I have something started, based on a Zybo example, but I'm stuck. Any guidance would be appreciated. See https://www.rehsdonline.com/post/arty-vga-output-from-microblaze.

Thanks!

[thinkthinkthink]

There's this guide I like by Lauri Võsandi called: Piping OV7670 video to VGA output on ZYBO. Dunno if it helps much but it might provide an insight into what you're trying to accomplish here.

[rehsd]

I will check it out. Thank you!

[rehsd]

I was able to get video output working! ? After moving data sections to DDR via the linker script, my build with 640x480 worked.

[tnkumar]

@rehsd - Good to know that your PMOD VGA worked. I have an Arty S7 and got my PMOD VGA but am yet to test it. 

[jb9631]

On 12/9/2021 at 7:01 PM, rehsd said:

Are there any good resources, recommendations, or suggested starting points for utilizing DDR3 RAM on the Arty (from VHDL and/or MicroBlaze)?

I am interested in an answer to this part of OP's question. (I have already posted my own question regarding the challenges I'm currently facing with interfacing to DDR3 but I reckon a generic reply would not hurt.)

[zygot]

To anyone struggling with DDR for processorless designs, have you looked at this?
https://forum.digilentinc.com/topic/22197-a-guide-to-using-ddr-in-the-all-hdl-design-flow/

Edited December 13, 2021 by zygot