I am reading the code for an AXI Slave provided by Xilinx (here below).
I am wondering why they declare all outputs as wire and then assign them to an internal register that is modified within always blocks (see for example the S_AXI_RVALID signal).
Why not declare them directly as registers? It seems to me that this would simplify the code and the actual implementation in the FPGA... is there any particular reason why they chose to do so?
Thanks a lot for your help!!!
module frequency_extractor_v2_0_S00_AXI #
(
// Users to add parameters here
// User parameters ends
// Do not modify the parameters beyond this line
// Width of S_AXI data bus
parameter integer C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH = 32,
// Width of S_AXI address bus
parameter integer C_S_AXI_ADDR_WIDTH = 5
)
(
// Users to add ports here
// User ports ends
// Do not modify the ports beyond this line
// Global Clock Signal
input wire S_AXI_ACLK,
// Global Reset Signal. This Signal is Active LOW
input wire S_AXI_ARESETN,
// Write address (issued by master, acceped by Slave)
input wire [C_S_AXI_ADDR_WIDTH-1 : 0] S_AXI_AWADDR,
// Write channel Protection type. This signal indicates the
// privilege and security level of the transaction, and whether
// the transaction is a data access or an instruction access.
input wire [2 : 0] S_AXI_AWPROT,
// Write address valid. This signal indicates that the master signaling
// valid write address and control information.
input wire S_AXI_AWVALID,
// Write address ready. This signal indicates that the slave is ready
// to accept an address and associated control signals.
output wire S_AXI_AWREADY,
// Write data (issued by master, acceped by Slave)
input wire [C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH-1 : 0] S_AXI_WDATA,
// Write strobes. This signal indicates which byte lanes hold
// valid data. There is one write strobe bit for each eight
// bits of the write data bus.
input wire [(C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH/8)-1 : 0] S_AXI_WSTRB,
// Write valid. This signal indicates that valid write
// data and strobes are available.
input wire S_AXI_WVALID,
// Write ready. This signal indicates that the slave
// can accept the write data.
output wire S_AXI_WREADY,
// Write response. This signal indicates the status
// of the write transaction.
output wire [1 : 0] S_AXI_BRESP,
// Write response valid. This signal indicates that the channel
// is signaling a valid write response.
output wire S_AXI_BVALID,
// Response ready. This signal indicates that the master
// can accept a write response.
input wire S_AXI_BREADY,
// Read address (issued by master, acceped by Slave)
input wire [C_S_AXI_ADDR_WIDTH-1 : 0] S_AXI_ARADDR,
// Protection type. This signal indicates the privilege
// and security level of the transaction, and whether the
// transaction is a data access or an instruction access.
input wire [2 : 0] S_AXI_ARPROT,
// Read address valid. This signal indicates that the channel
// is signaling valid read address and control information.
input wire S_AXI_ARVALID,
// Read address ready. This signal indicates that the slave is
// ready to accept an address and associated control signals.
output wire S_AXI_ARREADY,
// Read data (issued by slave)
output wire [C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH-1 : 0] S_AXI_RDATA,
// Read response. This signal indicates the status of the
// read transfer.
output wire [1 : 0] S_AXI_RRESP,
// Read valid. This signal indicates that the channel is
// signaling the required read data.
output wire S_AXI_RVALID,
// Read ready. This signal indicates that the master can
// accept the read data and response information.
input wire S_AXI_RREADY
);
// AXI4LITE signals
reg [C_S_AXI_ADDR_WIDTH-1 : 0] axi_awaddr;
reg axi_awready;
reg axi_wready;
reg [1 : 0] axi_bresp;
reg axi_bvalid;
reg [C_S_AXI_ADDR_WIDTH-1 : 0] axi_araddr;
reg axi_arready;
reg [C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH-1 : 0] axi_rdata;
reg [1 : 0] axi_rresp;
reg axi_rvalid;
// Example-specific design signals
// local parameter for addressing 32 bit / 64 bit C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH
// ADDR_LSB is used for addressing 32/64 bit registers/memories
// ADDR_LSB = 2 for 32 bits (n downto 2)
// ADDR_LSB = 3 for 64 bits (n downto 3)
localparam integer ADDR_LSB = (C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH/32) + 1;
localparam integer OPT_MEM_ADDR_BITS = 2;
//----------------------------------------------
//-- Signals for user logic register space example
//------------------------------------------------
//-- Number of Slave Registers 6
reg [C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH-1:0] slv_reg0;
reg [C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH-1:0] slv_reg1;
reg [C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH-1:0] slv_reg2;
reg [C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH-1:0] slv_reg3;
reg [C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH-1:0] slv_reg4;
reg [C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH-1:0] slv_reg5;
wire slv_reg_rden;
wire slv_reg_wren;
reg [C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH-1:0] reg_data_out;
integer byte_index;
reg aw_en;
// I/O Connections assignments
assign S_AXI_AWREADY = axi_awready;
assign S_AXI_WREADY = axi_wready;
assign S_AXI_BRESP = axi_bresp;
assign S_AXI_BVALID = axi_bvalid;
assign S_AXI_ARREADY = axi_arready;
assign S_AXI_RDATA = axi_rdata;
assign S_AXI_RRESP = axi_rresp;
assign S_AXI_RVALID = axi_rvalid;
// Implement axi_awready generation
// axi_awready is asserted for one S_AXI_ACLK clock cycle when both
// S_AXI_AWVALID and S_AXI_WVALID are asserted. axi_awready is
// de-asserted when reset is low.
always @( posedge S_AXI_ACLK )
begin
if ( S_AXI_ARESETN == 1'b0 )
begin
axi_awready <= 1'b0;
aw_en <= 1'b1;
end
else
begin
if (~axi_awready && S_AXI_AWVALID && S_AXI_WVALID && aw_en)
begin
// slave is ready to accept write address when
// there is a valid write address and write data
// on the write address and data bus. This design
// expects no outstanding transactions.
axi_awready <= 1'b1;
aw_en <= 1'b0;
end
else if (S_AXI_BREADY && axi_bvalid)
begin
aw_en <= 1'b1;
axi_awready <= 1'b0;
end
else
begin
axi_awready <= 1'b0;
end
end
end
// Implement axi_awaddr latching
// This process is used to latch the address when both
// S_AXI_AWVALID and S_AXI_WVALID are valid.
always @( posedge S_AXI_ACLK )
begin
if ( S_AXI_ARESETN == 1'b0 )
begin
axi_awaddr <= 0;
end
else
begin
if (~axi_awready && S_AXI_AWVALID && S_AXI_WVALID && aw_en)
begin
// Write Address latching
axi_awaddr <= S_AXI_AWADDR;
end
end
end
// Implement axi_wready generation
// axi_wready is asserted for one S_AXI_ACLK clock cycle when both
// S_AXI_AWVALID and S_AXI_WVALID are asserted. axi_wready is
// de-asserted when reset is low.
always @( posedge S_AXI_ACLK )
begin
if ( S_AXI_ARESETN == 1'b0 )
begin
axi_wready <= 1'b0;
end
else
begin
if (~axi_wready && S_AXI_WVALID && S_AXI_AWVALID && aw_en )
begin
// slave is ready to accept write data when
// there is a valid write address and write data
// on the write address and data bus. This design
// expects no outstanding transactions.
axi_wready <= 1'b1;
end
else
begin
axi_wready <= 1'b0;
end
end
end
// Implement memory mapped register select and write logic generation
// The write data is accepted and written to memory mapped registers when
// axi_awready, S_AXI_WVALID, axi_wready and S_AXI_WVALID are asserted. Write strobes are used to
// select byte enables of slave registers while writing.
// These registers are cleared when reset (active low) is applied.
// Slave register write enable is asserted when valid address and data are available
// and the slave is ready to accept the write address and write data.
assign slv_reg_wren = axi_wready && S_AXI_WVALID && axi_awready && S_AXI_AWVALID;
always @( posedge S_AXI_ACLK )
begin
if ( S_AXI_ARESETN == 1'b0 )
begin
slv_reg0 <= 0;
slv_reg1 <= 0;
slv_reg2 <= 0;
slv_reg3 <= 0;
slv_reg4 <= 0;
slv_reg5 <= 0;
end
else begin
if (slv_reg_wren)
begin
case ( axi_awaddr[ADDR_LSB+OPT_MEM_ADDR_BITS:ADDR_LSB] )
3'h0:
for ( byte_index = 0; byte_index <= (C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH/8)-1; byte_index = byte_index+1 )
if ( S_AXI_WSTRB[byte_index] == 1 ) begin
// Respective byte enables are asserted as per write strobes
// Slave register 0
slv_reg0[(byte_index*8) +: 8] <= S_AXI_WDATA[(byte_index*8) +: 8];
end
3'h1:
for ( byte_index = 0; byte_index <= (C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH/8)-1; byte_index = byte_index+1 )
if ( S_AXI_WSTRB[byte_index] == 1 ) begin
// Respective byte enables are asserted as per write strobes
// Slave register 1
slv_reg1[(byte_index*8) +: 8] <= S_AXI_WDATA[(byte_index*8) +: 8];
end
3'h2:
for ( byte_index = 0; byte_index <= (C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH/8)-1; byte_index = byte_index+1 )
if ( S_AXI_WSTRB[byte_index] == 1 ) begin
// Respective byte enables are asserted as per write strobes
// Slave register 2
slv_reg2[(byte_index*8) +: 8] <= S_AXI_WDATA[(byte_index*8) +: 8];
end
3'h3:
for ( byte_index = 0; byte_index <= (C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH/8)-1; byte_index = byte_index+1 )
if ( S_AXI_WSTRB[byte_index] == 1 ) begin
// Respective byte enables are asserted as per write strobes
// Slave register 3
slv_reg3[(byte_index*8) +: 8] <= S_AXI_WDATA[(byte_index*8) +: 8];
end
3'h4:
for ( byte_index = 0; byte_index <= (C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH/8)-1; byte_index = byte_index+1 )
if ( S_AXI_WSTRB[byte_index] == 1 ) begin
// Respective byte enables are asserted as per write strobes
// Slave register 4
slv_reg4[(byte_index*8) +: 8] <= S_AXI_WDATA[(byte_index*8) +: 8];
end
3'h5:
for ( byte_index = 0; byte_index <= (C_S_AXI_DATA_WIDTH/8)-1; byte_index = byte_index+1 )
if ( S_AXI_WSTRB[byte_index] == 1 ) begin
// Respective byte enables are asserted as per write strobes
// Slave register 5
slv_reg5[(byte_index*8) +: 8] <= S_AXI_WDATA[(byte_index*8) +: 8];
end
default : begin
slv_reg0 <= slv_reg0;
slv_reg1 <= slv_reg1;
slv_reg2 <= slv_reg2;
slv_reg3 <= slv_reg3;
slv_reg4 <= slv_reg4;
slv_reg5 <= slv_reg5;
end
endcase
end
end
end
// Implement write response logic generation
// The write response and response valid signals are asserted by the slave
// when axi_wready, S_AXI_WVALID, axi_wready and S_AXI_WVALID are asserted.
// This marks the acceptance of address and indicates the status of
// write transaction.
always @( posedge S_AXI_ACLK )
begin
if ( S_AXI_ARESETN == 1'b0 )
begin
axi_bvalid <= 0;
axi_bresp <= 2'b0;
end
else
begin
if (axi_awready && S_AXI_AWVALID && ~axi_bvalid && axi_wready && S_AXI_WVALID)
begin
// indicates a valid write response is available
axi_bvalid <= 1'b1;
axi_bresp <= 2'b0; // 'OKAY' response
end // work error responses in future
else
begin
if (S_AXI_BREADY && axi_bvalid)
//check if bready is asserted while bvalid is high)
//(there is a possibility that bready is always asserted high)
begin
axi_bvalid <= 1'b0;
end
end
end
end
// Implement axi_arready generation
// axi_arready is asserted for one S_AXI_ACLK clock cycle when
// S_AXI_ARVALID is asserted. axi_awready is
// de-asserted when reset (active low) is asserted.
// The read address is also latched when S_AXI_ARVALID is
// asserted. axi_araddr is reset to zero on reset assertion.
always @( posedge S_AXI_ACLK )
begin
if ( S_AXI_ARESETN == 1'b0 )
begin
axi_arready <= 1'b0;
axi_araddr <= 32'b0;
end
else
begin
if (~axi_arready && S_AXI_ARVALID)
begin
// indicates that the slave has acceped the valid read address
axi_arready <= 1'b1;
// Read address latching
axi_araddr <= S_AXI_ARADDR;
end
else
begin
axi_arready <= 1'b0;
end
end
end
// Implement axi_arvalid generation
// axi_rvalid is asserted for one S_AXI_ACLK clock cycle when both
// S_AXI_ARVALID and axi_arready are asserted. The slave registers
// data are available on the axi_rdata bus at this instance. The
// assertion of axi_rvalid marks the validity of read data on the
// bus and axi_rresp indicates the status of read transaction.axi_rvalid
// is deasserted on reset (active low). axi_rresp and axi_rdata are
// cleared to zero on reset (active low).
always @( posedge S_AXI_ACLK )
begin
if ( S_AXI_ARESETN == 1'b0 )
begin
axi_rvalid <= 0;
axi_rresp <= 0;
end
else
begin
if (axi_arready && S_AXI_ARVALID && ~axi_rvalid)
begin
// Valid read data is available at the read data bus
axi_rvalid <= 1'b1;
axi_rresp <= 2'b0; // 'OKAY' response
end
else if (axi_rvalid && S_AXI_RREADY)
begin
// Read data is accepted by the master
axi_rvalid <= 1'b0;
end
end
end
// Implement memory mapped register select and read logic generation
// Slave register read enable is asserted when valid address is available
// and the slave is ready to accept the read address.
assign slv_reg_rden = axi_arready & S_AXI_ARVALID & ~axi_rvalid;
always @(*)
begin
// Address decoding for reading registers
case ( axi_araddr[ADDR_LSB+OPT_MEM_ADDR_BITS:ADDR_LSB] )
3'h0 : reg_data_out <= slv_reg0;
3'h1 : reg_data_out <= slv_reg1;
3'h2 : reg_data_out <= slv_reg2;
3'h3 : reg_data_out <= slv_reg3;
3'h4 : reg_data_out <= slv_reg4;
3'h5 : reg_data_out <= slv_reg5;
default : reg_data_out <= 0;
endcase
end
// Output register or memory read data
always @( posedge S_AXI_ACLK )
begin
if ( S_AXI_ARESETN == 1'b0 )
begin
axi_rdata <= 0;
end
else
begin
// When there is a valid read address (S_AXI_ARVALID) with
// acceptance of read address by the slave (axi_arready),
// output the read dada
if (slv_reg_rden)
begin
axi_rdata <= reg_data_out; // register read data
end
end
end
// Add user logic here
// User logic ends
endmodule```
