Getting Started with Verilog Beginner Projects Using FPGA Kits [2025 Update]
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Time to read 8 min
Why this topic matters
If you’re new to digital design, you’ve likely heard of Verilog but may not know where to begin. Verilog is a hardware description language (HDL) used to design and test circuits on FPGAs, and unlike C++ or Python it describes hardware directly, turning code into real logic on a chip. For beginners this can feel intimidating, but with the right FPGA kit and a set of structured projects the learning curve becomes much easier. By combining hands-on practice with clear guidance, you can quickly build both the knowledge and confidence to take on more advanced digital design challenges.
Table of contents
What is HDL and Why Verilog Matters FPGA: The All-Rounder of Digital Circuit Design FPGA vs Microcontroller: A Beginner-Friendly Comparison FPGA Architecture at a Glance Verilog and FPGA Development From Code to Hardware: The FPGA Design Flow Development Tools and IDEs Learning Made Simple with Our STEPFPGA WebIDE A Complete Example: From Verilog to FPGA Digital Design with Verilog Example: Design a 3-by-8 Decoder More to Discover
What is HDL and Why Verilog Matters
A Hardware Description Language (HDL) is not a typical programming language. Instead of writing instructions for a processor to execute, HDL describes how actual hardware behaves. With HDL, you can define logic gates, registers, counters, and even complex processors, then implement these designs on chips like FPGAs. This makes HDL the bridge between abstract digital theory and the physical circuits that run in real devices.
Two major HDLs dominate the field: Verilog and VHDL. Both can model combinational and sequential logic, but Verilog has a syntax closer to C, which makes it more approachable for beginners and project-based learning. VHDL, on the other hand, is often considered more verbose but also highly structured and strict, which some engineers prefer for large-scale systems. For learners starting out with FPGA projects, Verilog is usually the smoother entry point while still being widely used in both academia and industry.
FPGA: The All-Rounder of Digital Circuit Design
FPGA vs Microcontroller: A Beginner-Friendly Comparison
Most makers start with a microcontroller platform like Arduino, ESP32 or Raspberry Pi. A microcontroller executes instructions one by one on a CPU core, so your code essentially tells the chip what to do step by step. FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), on the other hand, doesn’t “run” instructions in sequence. Instead, it configures hardware resources to work in parallel.
If Arduino is like giving commands to a worker who does tasks one after another, FPGA is like hiring a team of workers who all act at the same time. To put it more visually:
Arduino = writing a recipe that one experienced cook follows step by step.
FPGA = designing a kitchen where every cook has their own station, so many steps happen at once.
This difference is exactly why FPGA projects feel so powerful: you’re not just coding, you’re actually designing custom digital hardware.
FPGA Architecture at a Glance
FPGAs are built from configurable logic blocks (CLBs), switch matrices (SMs), and I/O blocks (IOBs). These elements can be wired together in different ways to create logic circuits of almost any complexity. The diagram shows how CLBs act as building units, SMs provide routing flexibility, and IOBs connect your design to the outside world.
FPGA flexibility is best understood if you think of it as a collection of digital building blocks (just like many LEGO pieces). Each CLB can be combined with others to form counters, adders, or even full-scale digital systems. Verilog acts as the instruction set that tells you how to arrange these blocks into working designs.
Figure 2.1.3 in Fundamental Digital Circuits and FPGAs
If you’re curious how to move from theory to practice, our Digital Electronics with FPGA Learning Kit is designed for exactly this journey. With structured labs and real hardware, you can start from logic gates, decoders, registers and counters and gradually work your way up to finite state machines, and it has entire two big chapters working with actual experiements and projects that you use these digital modules to interface with hardware.
Verilog and FPGA Development
From Code to Hardware: The FPGA Design Flow
One of the biggest strengths of FPGA learning is that your Verilog code does not remain abstract. Instead, it goes through a well-defined flow that transforms text into working hardware.
- Design: Start with a logic idea
- HDL Coding: Describe the module in Verilog
- Synthesis: Tools convert your code into logic gates
- Place & Route: The design is mapped onto FPGA resources.
- Programming: Upload the bitstream, and the FPGA becomes your circuit.
Figure 2.2.1 of Fundamental Digital Circuits and FPGAs
Development Tools and IDEs
To support this workflow, major FPGA vendors provide their own development environments:
Xilinx (now AMD) offers Vivado and ISE, widely used in universities and industry.
Altera (Intel) provides Quartus Prime, with strong support for large FPGA families.
Lattice Semiconductor delivers Diamond and Radiant, focusing on lightweight and power-efficient FPGA devices.
These vendor IDEs come with strong advantages. They include built-in IP cores such as memory controllers, DSP blocks, and communication modules, which let engineers integrate complex functions without writing every detail in HDL. They also provide highly optimized flows that squeeze maximum performance out of specific FPGA families.
While these vendor IDEs are powerful, they often come with steep learning curves, large downloads, and installation requirements. For professional design teams, this trade-off is worthwhile. But for beginners just getting started with Verilog and FPGA projects, the complexity can become a barrier rather than a learning aid.
Learning Made Simple with Our STEPFPGA WebIDE
To lower these barriers, we provide a WebIDE designed specifically for beginners and project-based exploration. Instead of downloading and configuring large toolchains, you can simply open a browser, write Verilog, and test your design within minutes. This removes the need for complex installation steps or driver issues, letting you focus directly on the logic and the code.
A Complete Example: From Verilog to FPGA
Using the WebIDE: A Quick Overview
Our WebIDE is built to simplify the FPGA learning journey. Instead of spending hours configuring a toolchain, you log in through a browser, open a project, and start coding in Verilog right away. The interface provides a text editor, a compiler, and direct hardware integration.
Register an account, it's free and no credit card needed!
Digital Design with Verilog
Verilog is essentially a description language, but at the heart of digital design lies a solid grasp of logic fundamentals such as gates, flip-flops, and state machines. A full exploration of these topics is covered in our learning kit and textbook, so we won’t go into detail here.
The other "quick" method here is to use AI to generate code for us. For the purpose of this article let's just skip the long story and use Claude AI to design a 3-by-8 decoder using Verilog. Here is what I got.
Example: Design a 3-by-8 Decoder
Now I will be using the AI generated code above to continue the rest design. Note that these procedures are based on a piece of code that is "bug-free". Meanwhile, ensure your STEPFPGA board is plugged to your computer. No driver installation is needed, but to ensure the hardware functions correctly, you should observed a USB Flash MSD enumerates on your PC once the board is plugged. If not, check if you are using a proper USB cable with data wires.
STEP1: Create your project
STEP2: Write the code in </> source code section
STEP3: Synthesize the Code
STEP4: Pin-mapping the module's I/Os to FPGA pins
STEP5: Generate FPGA bitstream file
STEP6: Flash into STEPFPGA board
For a more complete walkthrough, here are two videos to better show the entire process, from writing the Verilog code to pin mapping and finally flash the bitstream file on STEPFPGA.
More to Discover
The best way to learn digital design is through hands-on practice: design digital modules, writing code, debugging, and resolving bugs. That’s why our learning kit includes not only an FPGA board but also a textbook and a wide range of electronic components and modules. Together, they provide a complete environment where you can explore Verilog, build real projects, and gain confidence by seeing your designs come alive. If you’re serious about learning, we strongly recommend starting with the full kit.
At the same time, you don’t need to wait until you own the kit to get started. Our WebIDE is free to access, and you can already try running Verilog code directly online. What’s more, it also supports Multisim simulation, giving you another way to test and visualize your designs. For a large library of example code and detailed simulation tutorials, check out our documentation page here.
Attention: while writing this blog we’re also working on an advanced edition that uses FPGA for embedded system design. It’s planned for early 2026 as a continuation of our current series. If you’re interested and don’t want to miss the launch, make sure to subscribe at the bottom.
Key Takeaways from This Article
HDL and Verilog: Verilog is a hardware description language that describes digital circuits, making it a practical entry point compared to VHDL for beginners.
FPGA Basics: Unlike microcontrollers, FPGAs run logic in parallel and let you design hardware directly, from simple counters to full systems.
Learning Tools: Vendor IDEs like Vivado, Quartus, and Radiant are powerful but complex; our WebIDE lowers the barrier with instant, browser-based coding.
Hands-On Projects: Starting with beginner projects such as logic gates, decoders, counters etc build both logic understanding and confidence, turning abstract code into working circuits.
Some FAQs on Verilog & FPGA
Is Verilog hard to learn for beginners?
Verilog is easier than it looks. Its syntax is similar to C, and with guided FPGA projects you can quickly see your code turn into real hardware behavior.
Do I need hardware to start learning Verilog?
Though I recommend using with FPGA but it is not a strict requirement. You can practice directly in our free WebIDE with built-in simulation. Hardware kits, however, make the learning experience much more engaging and practical.
How is FPGA different from Arduino?
Arduino runs instructions step by step on a CPU, while FPGA implements your logic in parallel as real circuits. This makes FPGA projects faster, more flexible, and closer to actual digital design.
Where do i find the learning resources related to this kit you recommended?
Check out our learning repository here.
Daniel Cao
Daniel Cao is the founder of EIM Technology, where he creates hands-on, beginner-friendly electronics education kits that blend practical hardware with clear, structured learning. With a background in engineering and a passion for teaching, he focuses on making complex concepts accessible to learners from all disciplines.
