Week 5

Table of Contents

Week 5 Learning Log (June 16–20, 2025)
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Library Documentation
- Finalize docs 01–07 for RVSvKit
Repository & CI Scaffolding
- Set up the RVSvKit GitHub repo
- Add scaffolding scripts for build/test automation
Dependency Installation
- Verilator, Icarus, Dockerized Vivado
SystemVerilog Fundamentals
- Ports
- Nets vs. variables
- Tasks vs. functions

Docs 01 & 02
- Completed writing the Overview and Module Inventory documents.
Installed Verilator
- Installed via package manager; ran verilator --version to confirm toolchain.
SV Fundamentals – Ports
- Reviewed input/output/inout declarations, named vs. ordered port lists, and port-type semantics.

Docs 03 & 04
- Drafted Coding Conventions and Packages & Interfaces sections.
Installed Icarus
- Installed iverilog; verified v11.0.0 via iverilog --version.
SV Fundamentals – Nets vs. Variables
- Studied wire vs. logic/reg, implicit nets, driver resolution and multiple-driver rules.

Docs 05 & 06
- Wrote CI & Testing and Automation & Optimization chapters.
Dockerized Vivado Setup
- Created Dockerfile for Vivado 2024.2; built container and ran a simple synthesis smoke test.
SV Fundamentals – Tasks vs. Functions
- Compared syntax, side-effects, timing control; wrote examples to illustrate use cases.

Doc 07
- Finalized Contributing & Versioning, outlined future cache/MMU work and internship context.
Initialize RVSvKit Repo
- Created GitHub repo, pushed initial commit with all docs.
Add Scaffolding Scripts
- Added Makefile, GitHub Actions workflow for lint, simulation, and documentation checks.

Review & Proof
- Polished all seven docs for style consistency; updated cross-references.
Integrate Dependencies into CI
- Extended Actions workflow to install Verilator, Icarus, and Docker Vivado before tests.
Consolidated SV Notes
- Compiled a cheat-sheet covering ports, nets/variables, tasks/functions for quick reference.

Modular Documentation Workflow
Dividing the seven docs across days ensured steady progress and consistent style.
Early CI Integration
Scaffolding scripts and tool installs in CI guarantee reproducible builds and tests.
Containerized FPGA Toolchain
Dockerizing Vivado simplifies environment setup for all team members.
SV Fundamentals Mastery
Deepened understanding of port semantics, net/variable distinctions, and procedural constructs.