Reddit mentions of FPGA Prototyping by VHDL Examples: Xilinx Spartan-3 Version

No, this would be a completely unsuitable book to learn from. It's a collection of academic papers, not an instructional text.

I'd personally recommend FPGA Prototyping by Verilog Examples (or the equivalent VHDL version). It's an older book, but still a pretty good introduction.

VHDL was what I first was exposed to. I was initially reluctant to switch to Verilog because it is a lot less verbose and less strict. The less strict part can cause issues when you make assumptions and don't verify what the synthesis tools produce. Now I prefer Verilog and feel I am able to create faster with Verilog.

Altera, Xilinx, Microsemi, or Lattice all offer free software tools you can download. Get yourself an evaluation board then read related documentation for the tools and particular FPGA used on the board.

Here are my book suggestions.

Advanced Chip Design, Practical Examples in Verilog [Paperback]
http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Design-Practical-Examples-Verilog/dp/1482593335/
Cheap book that covers a lot of material from a practicing engineer.

Digital Design and Computer Architecture, Second Edition
http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Design-Computer-Architecture-Second/dp/0123944244/
This book covers Digital Design, Computer Architecture, VHDL, and Verilog.

Embedded SoPC Design with Nios II Processor and Verilog Examples

http://www.amazon.com/Embedded-Design-Processor-Verilog-Examples/dp/1118011031/

This book covers a some verilog and then moves on into Altera SOPC builder.

FPGA Prototyping By VHDL or Verilog Examples: Xilinx Spartan-3 Version
http://www.amazon.com/FPGA-Prototyping-VHDL-Examples-Spartan-3/dp/0470185317/

http://www.amazon.com/FPGA-Prototyping-Verilog-Examples-Spartan-3/dp/0470185325/

Well, you need to learn some HDL(s) first, VHDL or Verilog for exemple. I would recommend you to pick up a reference book like the Volnei Pedroni VHDL, or Pong. P. Chu.


http://www.amazon.com.br/Circuit-Design-Simulation-Volnei-Pedroni/dp/0262014335

http://www.amazon.com/FPGA-Prototyping-VHDL-Examples-Spartan-3/dp/0470185317/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8


And you can practice here: http://www.edaplayground.com/ without having to download any tool. After you stick to the HDL methodology, you start to think about prototyping, placing, routing, layout on a physical FPGA. I would recommend you to take a look in hardware verification and testbench design, depending on what you're implement it will be crucial to have a robust verification enviroment to avoid huge debugging efforts and lots of headaches.

I had this same dilemna a week ago. I had NO knowledge of how to program on fpgas at all, so my choice was mainly based on how much documentation was available at the time. For this reason I decided to purchase the nexys 2 with the spartan 3E. This was the best book I found for programming with fpgas, and it uses the spartan 3. In hindsight, I might have been able to use a spartan 6. I'm not entirely sure.

If your background is more SW than HW, as mine is, then you might like https://www.amazon.com/FPGA-Prototyping-VHDL-Examples-Spartan-3/dp/0470185317 . It really got the pacing, and the balance between explaining and coding right. At least for me.

BTW, no reason to pay full price for a new copy when there are plenty of used ones around in great condition.

I used this book with my Digilent Nexys 2 board (same chip as you have) and I think the pair works well together.

Before taking one really good course at my home university, I was self-tought using only this book: http://www.amazon.com/FPGA-Prototyping-VHDL-Examples-Spartan-3/dp/0470185317/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1412842171&sr=8-4&keywords=vhdl

http://valentfx.com/

Either the LOGi-Pi or the LOGi-Bone, with the LOGi-EDU package.

The EDU package is built to allow you to follow the examples in either one of these books:

http://www.amazon.com/FPGA-Prototyping-Verilog-Examples-Spartan-3/dp/0470185325/

http://www.amazon.com/FPGA-Prototyping-VHDL-Examples-Spartan-3/dp/0470185317/

There's also a bunch of demos on their wiki.

For an introduction to FPGAs, protocols, and VHDL/Verilog I would highly recommend:

http://www.amazon.com/FPGA-Prototyping-VHDL-Examples-Spartan-3/dp/0470185317

(or the equivalent Verilog book - Chu does two versions)

This is an excellent book for learning how to interface with peripherals and work with different protocols.