VHDL-Code within Labview

[Andreas]

Hi @all,
I've to admit, that I don't know Labview by now, therefor I've a
question on a topic I couldn't find a satisfying answer on in the internet.

My intention is to control test board using a digital I/O-card (no
FPGA). For the development of the test board (or more precisely the
chips on that board) a VHDL-Simulation has been used and a
VHDL-Testbench has been implemented.
I could synthesize the VHDL-testbench on a FPGA-Board, but I would
prefer to Labview and a digital I/O-card.

My question is: Is it possible to implement VHDL-Entities in LabView?
If yes, which LavView Modules do a need? I've read something about a
"HDL Interface Node" included in "LabVIEW FPGA Module" since v.7.1, but
I don't have the "LabVIEW FPGA Module" and I don't won't to program a
FPGA. I only want to use my existing (complex) VHDL-statemachine to
assign a few ouputs. Timing and speed are not a problem.
Is there a way to do that with Labview?

Thanks,
Andreas

[RyanB]

It sounds like your are asking for the ability to use LabVIEW to simulate your VHDL files.  You would then use these HDL simulation results as digital test vectors for a DIO board.  LabVIEW today does not natively include this capabiliity.  I believe you have a few options:

1 - Many VHDL simulation software packages can be called from the command line.  You could build a LabVIEW VI to call your simulation tool, run your testbench and parse the results into a digital waveform for your DIO board.  NI Multisim may allow for this as well (I'm not sure, so you'll need to do some Multisim research before going this route).

2 - Use the NI Digital Waveform Editor to import your simulation output as a test vector.  You can then verify the waveforms, make any changes, and save it for use with your DIO board.  Here is a link: https://www.ni.com/en-us/shop/product/digital-waveform-editor.html

3 - The HDL node available in LV FPGA allows you to synthesize custom HDL into a LV FPGA target.  If you prefer the DIO board as your interface, then this would not work for you.

Based on your notes, I would look into the Digital Waveform Editor's VCD importing feature first (option 2 above). 

Which DIO board are you using?  And what do you use for VHDL simulation/synthesis for your test board?

-RB