Module 1: Introduction to Chisel and Digital Design

1. Why Chisel?
o Challenges of traditional HDLs (Verilog/VHDL).
o Advantages of Chisel (e.g., scalability, abstraction, parameterization).
2. Setting Up the Environment
o Installing Java, Scala, sbt, and Chisel.
o Configuring IDEs (IntelliJ IDEA, VS Code).
3. Digital Design Primer
o Combinational vs. sequential circuits.
o Design abstractions: gates, modules, and systems.

Module 2: Scala for Hardware Designers

1. Scala Basics for Chisel

o Functional programming essentials.
o Data types, functions, and control structures.
2. Chisel-Specific Scala
o Bundles, Vecs, and parameterization.
o Functional combinators (map, fold, reduce).

Module 3: Chisel Basics

1. Understanding Chisel Modules

o Modules, I/O definitions, and hierarchy.
o Basic input/output examples.
2. Constructing Combinational Logic
o Logical operations and wiring.
o Examples: multiplexers, decoders, encoders.
3. Sequential Logic Design
o Flip-flops, registers, and clocking.
o Counters and state machines.

Module 4: Testing and Simulation

1. ChiselTest Introduction
o Writing testbenches and assertions.
o Running tests and debugging.
2. Waveform Analysis
o Generating and viewing waveforms with Verilator and GTKWave.
Module 5: Advanced Chisel Features

1. Parameterized Design
o Creating reusable and flexible modules.
o Examples: Parameterized ALUs and memory blocks.
2. Bundles and Vecs
o Structuring complex data types.
o Practical applications in real-world designs.
3. Conditional Hardware Generation
o Using when, elsewhen, and otherwise.

Module 6: Practical Digital Design with Chisel

1. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

o Building and testing a parameterized ALU.
2. Memory Design
o Designing synchronous RAM and ROM.
o FIFO and LIFO structures.
3. Finite State Machines
o Designing Mealy and Moore machines.
o Real-world example: Traffic light controller.

Module 7: RISC-V Processor Design

1. RISC-V ISA Basics

o Introduction to instruction set architecture.
o Overview of key RISC-V instructions.
2. Single-Cycle Processor
o Fetch-decode-execute design in Chisel.
o Testing with assembly programs.
3. Extending the Processor
o Adding custom instructions or peripherals.

Module 8: FPGA Development with Chisel

1. Integrating Chisel with FPGA Tools

o Generating Verilog for FPGA synthesis.
o Working with Vivado or Quartus.
 2. Deploying Designs on FPGA
o Examples: Blinking LED, simple processor.
3. Debugging Hardware Issues
o Tips for troubleshooting FPGA implementations.

Module 9: Real-World Projects

1. Project 1: RISC-V Processor Core

o Simple processor with extensions.
2. Project 2: UART Communication
o Transmitter and receiver with baud rate generation.
3. Project 3: Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Module
o Example: FIR filter design.
4. Project 4: Pipeline Design
o Multi-stage pipeline for an arithmetic processor.
5. Project 5: Traffic Management System
o Advanced FSM for multi-lane traffic control.

Module 10: Optimizing Chisel Designs

1. Performance Optimization
o Techniques to improve timing and area.
2. Coding Best Practices
o Writing clean and maintainable Chisel code.
3. Common Pitfalls
o Avoiding common design errors.

Module 11: Chisel in Industry

1. Case Studies
o Real-world hardware systems built with Chisel.
2. Collaborating in Teams
o Version control, code reviews, and CI/CD for hardware.
3. Open-Source Chisel Ecosystem
o Using libraries like RocketChip and SiFive's IP.

Module 12: Final Project

1. Project Planning:
o Identifying design goals.
o Structuring your project.
2. Implementation and Testing:
o Applying knowledge from all modules.
3. Documentation and Presentation:
o Creating a professional design report.
Module 1: Welcome to Chisel and Digital Design

 Introduction to Chisel
o What is Chisel?
o Why Chisel is the future of hardware design.
o Key differences between traditional HDLs and Chisel.
 Digital Design Essentials
o Quick review of combinational and sequential logic.
o Overview of modular design principles.
 Setting Up Your Development Environment
o Installing Scala, sbt, and Chisel.
o Integrating with IntelliJ IDEA or VS Code.
o Running your first Chisel program: A blinking LED example.

Module 2: Foundations of Scala for Hardware Designers

 Scala Basics
o Variables, functions, and control flow.
o Collections (Arrays, Lists, Maps).
 Functional Programming Essentials
o Immutability and higher-order functions.
o Map, reduce, and filter in hardware contexts.
 Chisel-Specific Scala
o Bundles, Vecs, and parameterization in Chisel.

Module 3: Chisel Fundamentals

 Building Blocks of Chisel

o Modules, I/O definitions, and hierarchy.
o Wiring up combinational circuits.
 Combinational Logic Design
o AND/OR gates, multiplexers, decoders.
o Building a 4-bit adder and multiplier.
 Sequential Logic Design
o Flip-flops, registers, and clocked logic.
o Designing counters and simple state machines.

Module 4: Testing and Debugging in Chisel

  Introduction to ChiselTest
o Writing testbenches for Chisel designs.
o Using assertions and test vectors.
 Waveform Analysis and Debugging
o Generating waveforms with Verilator.
o Using GTKWave to debug and analyze signals.

Module 5: Intermediate Chisel Techniques

 Parameterized Modules
o Creating reusable, scalable designs.
o Examples: Parameterized ALU and memory blocks.
 Bundles and Vecs
o Structuring and organizing complex data types.
 Finite State Machines (FSMs)
o Implementing FSMs with Chisel.
o Real-world example: Elevator controller.

Module 6: Advanced Topics in Chisel

 Pipeline Design
o Understanding pipelining concepts.
o Creating multi-stage pipelines for arithmetic operations.
 Memory Design
o Designing synchronous RAM and ROM.
o Building FIFO queues and cache structures.
 Custom Hardware Generation
o Using when, switch, and elsewhen effectively.
o Generating dynamic hardware using loops.

Module 7: Real-World Digital Design Projects

 UART Communication Module

o Transmitter and receiver with configurable baud rates.
 RISC-V Processor Core
o Building a simple single-cycle RISC-V processor.
o Extending the core with custom instructions.
 Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Design
o Designing a FIR filter for audio processing.
  Traffic Light Controller
o An FSM-based traffic control system with pedestrian crossing.
 LED Matrix Driver
o Designing a driver for a 16x16 LED matrix with animations.

Module 8: Chisel for FPGA Development

 Synthesizing Chisel Designs

o Generating Verilog code from Chisel.
o Importing Verilog into FPGA toolchains like Vivado or Quartus.
 Deploying Designs on FPGA
o Implementing a simple processor or blinking LED on an FPGA.
o Debugging hardware issues on FPGA.

Module 9: Chisel in the Real World

 Case Studies
o Industry applications of Chisel (e.g., SiFive and Google TPU).
o Open-source Chisel projects to explore.
 Collaborative Development
o Using Git for version control.
o Best practices for team-based hardware projects.
 Exploring RocketChip
o Introduction to RocketChip generator and SoC design.

Module 10: Optimization and Best Practices

 Performance Optimization
o Techniques for area, power, and timing optimization.
 Coding Standards
o Writing clean, maintainable, and reusable Chisel code.
 Avoiding Common Pitfalls
o Debugging tips and tricks.

Module 11: Final Project

 Project Selection
 o Suggested projects:
1. A multi-cycle RISC-V processor.
2. A neural network accelerator.
3. A VGA controller for video output.
4. A SPI master/slave interface.
5. A hardware-based encryption/decryption engine.
 Guided Implementation
o Step-by-step walkthrough of the project.
 Testing and Debugging
o Comprehensive testing with waveforms and ChiselTest.
 Presentation and Documentation
o Preparing the project for portfolios and interviews.

Module 12: Bonus Content

 Future of Chisel and Hardware Design

o Emerging trends in hardware development.
 Exploring Advanced Libraries
o Using ChiselDSP and other Chisel-based libraries.
 Resources for Continued Learning
o Books, research papers, and open-source repositories.