11.4.8 Dual Architecture Coding in VHDL

It is possible to maintain technology independence after instantiating an SmartGen core into your design. By adding a second technology independent architecture, you can maintain two functionally equivalent architectures of the same entity in your design. The SmartGen core is Microchip specific and instantiated in your design to take advantage of the architectural features of the target Microchip FPGA. This allows you to meet your design goals quickly. The technology independent architecture is functionally equivalent to the Microchip specific architecture (verified by simulation) and can be used to synthesize the design to another technology if necessary. The following example shows the technology independent (RTL) and Microchip specific (structural) architecture for a counter called “CNT5” and illustrates how to write your code so that you can choose which architecture to use.