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Multisim PLD Configuration Files for the Digilent Nexys 3 FPGA Board

UPDATE: If you have Multisim 13.0.1 (or later) you don't need to install these   configuration files since this version comes with built in support for   the Digilent Nexys 3. Click here for more information.

 

Overview

 

The Programmable Logic Device (PLD) Schematic in NI Multisim enables students to easily learn digital concepts by using familar digital gate logic to translate boolean logic to symbols/simulation. The PLD schematic can also export and translate digital logic into raw VHDL that can be used to program field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technology used extensively in laboratories to reinforce this theory.

 

Digilent offers a wide array of FPGA boards used by educational institutions to help reinforce such theory. Included in this document are instructions and specially developed configuration files that will take digital logic from Multisim and have the raw VHDL work on these Digilent targets. The configuration file takes primarily ensures that setup in each PLD schematic has the appropriate I/O connections based upon the format of each Digilent board.

 

This document contains the necessary PLD configuration files and instructions to program the Digilent Nexys 3 FPGA Board using the Multisim PLD Schematic.

 

 

Additional Resources on the Programmable Logic Device Schematic

 

To understand how the PLD schematic can be used to teach digital logic theory, please review the following documents that show how the default configuration file can program a Xilinx target on the NI Digital Electronics FPGA Board. As mentioned above, the configuration files listed in this document will allow you to target the Digilent Nexys 3 FPGA Board instead.

 

Teaching Digital Logic and Fundamentals

Export Digital Logic to Xilinx FPGAs With NI Multisim
Teach Digital Concepts with the PLD Schematic in NI Multisim

 

 

 

Software Requirements

 

  • NI Multisim 12.x or 13.0 Education Edition. Version 13.0.1 comes with built in support for this Digilent board (to download an evaluation edition, please click here)
  • Xilinx iMPACT 13.x or later, part of the ISE WebPACK Design Software (available here)

 

 

 

Installation Instructions

 

  • Download the attached DigilentNexys3.zip file.
  • Unzip the file to your local disk. Two files will be unzipped: DigilentNexys3.mspc and DigilentNexys3.ucf.
  • Copy and paste the two unzipped files to the pldconfig folder in the main Multisim install directory, by default, this should be:

 

        C:\Program Files\National Instruments\Circuit Design Suite 12.0\pldconfig   

 

  • Open Multisim (All Programs»National Instruments»Circuit Design Suite 12.0).
  • Select File»New»PLD design. This will start the New PLD Design Wizard.
  • Make sure the Digilent Nexys 3 board is listed in the drop-down list as shown in the next figure:

 

 

Nexys3.png

 

 

 

Feedback

 

As this is on NI Labs, please keep in mind that this is not a fully released product.  For any feedback regarding these files, including request for other hardware support, please post on Comments section below.

Fernando D.
National Instruments