Introductions

Hello!

I'm an old-time Altera user from way back; I started with the EPM5000 series parts and MaxPlus II 2.something way back in 1992. Moved to MAX7000s, then wrote software for a few years, then got back into the saddle with Quartus on an Apex 20KE a couple years ago, and now I'm on Cyclones. It's been a ride. My projects are defense-related, so please understand that I have to be vague at times...

I've used AHDL for all that up until a couple months ago when I learned Verilog. VHDL left a bad taste in my mouth back when I used it in school, so any suggestion that I dump Verilog for VHDL will be met with hearty laughter and a slap on the back. Now I'm just waiting for Altera to finish supporting Verilog 2001; the lack of support for multidimensional arrays and vectors of modules kinda cripples my preferred (heavily-parameterized) coding style...

Right now, I'm waiting for my Nios II update. They say a Nios II/e will take about 20% of my EP1C3; the Nios-16 I have in there now takes 50% (granted, that includes peripherals, but still...). I'll believe it when I see it, of course.

And thanks for Nios. It was well worth the look on my coworker's face when I told him that I smashed a couple PWM generators, ADC controllers, DDR serial controllers, FIFOs, and the microcontroller that runs the show into the aforementioned Cyclone and still had room left...

Have fun!