Table of Contents

Tachometer.................................................................................................................................................3
Introduction.............................................................................................................................3
Need for a Tachometer............................................................................................................3
Abstract......................................................................................................................................................5
Research Focus........................................................................................................................5
Issue(s) Addressed...................................................................................................................5
Research Method.....................................................................................................................5
Conclusions and Recommendations........................................................................................5
Operation..........................................................................................................................................6
RPM transducer.......................................................................................................................6
Clock Generator......................................................................................................................6
Digital To Analog Converter...................................................................................................7
Pointer.....................................................................................................................................7
RTL Schematic...........................................................................................................................................8
CLOCKDIV............................................................................................................................8
TMETER.................................................................................................................................8
VHDL Code...............................................................................................................................................9
System..............................................................................................................................................9
CLKDIV...................................................................................................................................................11
TMETER..................................................................................................................................................12
VHDL Simulation....................................................................................................................................14
System Overview..................................................................................................................15
System Detail -1....................................................................................................................16
System Detail -2....................................................................................................................17
Reset Action..........................................................................................................................18
CLKDIV................................................................................................................................19
TMETER...............................................................................................................................20
Implementation Report............................................................................................................................21
CPLD Fitter Report...............................................................................................................21
Resources summary...............................................................................................................21
Pin resources.........................................................................................................................21
Global resources....................................................................................................................21
Power Data............................................................................................................................21
Inputs........................................................................................................................................................22
Function Blocks.......................................................................................................................................22
Compiler Options.....................................................................................................................................22
Pin List.....................................................................................................................................................23
Implementation Diagram.........................................................................................................................25
Conclusions..............................................................................................................................................26
Bibliography.............................................................................................................................................27
Tachometer

Introduction
A tachometer (also called a revolution-counter, "Tach", rev-counter, or RPM gauge) is
an instrument that measures the rotation speed of a shaft or disk, as in a motor or
other machine. The device usually displays the revolutions per minute (RPM) on a
calibrated analogue dial, but digital displays are increasingly common. The term comes
from Greek Ταχος,, "speed", and metron, "to measure".

Illustration 1: Automobile Tachometer

Need for a Tachometer

Tachometers or rev counters on automobiles, aircraft, and other vehicles show the rate
of rotation of the engine's crankshaft, and typically have markings indicating a safe
range of rotation speeds. This can assist the driver in selecting appropriate throttle and
gear settings for the driving conditions. Prolonged use at high speeds may cause
inadequate lubrication, overheating (exceeding capability of the cooling system),
exceeding speed capability of sub-parts of the engine (for example spring retracted
valves) thus causing excessive wear or permanent damage or failure of engines.
On analogue tachometers, speeds above maximum safe operating speed are typically
indicated by an area of the gauge marked in red, giving rise to the expression of
"redlining" an engine — revving the engine up to the maximum safe limit.
In vehicles such as tractors and trucks, the tachometer often has other markings,
usually a green arc showing the speed range in which the engine produces maximum
torque, which is of prime interest to operators of such vehicles. Tractors fitted with a
power take off (PTO) system have tachometers showing the engine speed needed to
rotate the PTO at the standardized speed required by most PTO-driven implements. In
many countries, tractors are required to have a speedometer for use on a road. To save
fitting a second dial, the vehicle's tachometer is often marked with a second scale in
units of speed. This scale is only accurate in a certain gear, but since many tractors
only have one gear that is practical for use on-road, this is sufficient. Tractors with
multiple 'road gears' often have tachometers with more than one speed scale. Aircraft
tachometers have a green arc showing the engine's designed cruising speed range.
A tachometer is vital is preventing engine over-speed.
Overspeed is a condition in which an engine is allowed or forced to turn beyond its
design limit. The consequences of running an engine too fast vary by engine type and
model and depend upon several factors, chief amongst them the duration of the
overspeed and by the speed attained. With some engines even a momentary overspeed
can result in greatly reduced engine life or even catastrophic failure. The speed of an
engine is ordinarily measured in revolutions per minute (RPM).
Typical maximal RPMs of performance engines are provided in the following table:

Automobile Maximum Engine Speed

Audi R8 V8 8000 rpm
Audi Q7 6.0 V12 diesel 4750 rpm
Bugatti Veyron turbocharged W16 6500 rpm
Honda S2000 I4 8200 rpm
Lexus LFA V10 9000 rpm
Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0TSI I4 6500 rpm
Nissan GTR turbocharged V6 7000 rpm
Ferrari Enzo V12 8000 rpm
Table 1: Typical Engine Speed Ratings

As an example of what a tachometer can be used for, think of driving a car up a hill. By
watching the tachometer, you will know if you should shift gears. This gives a visual
cue to help you drive your car in the most efficient manner.
Thus a tachometer is a vital instrument which allows a vehicle operator to select the
correct gear for maximum efficiency and performance, and allows him or her to
operate the engine within safe parameters.
Abstract

Research Focus
The objective of this project is to design, implement, simulate and synthesize the logic
required for the operations of a Tachometer. The prime focus of the design was to
match the accuracy and reliability of analog tachometers, while at the same time
reducing cost of the instrument by minimizing mechanical parts. The output is to be
obtained by driving a mechanical pointer, since it is more convenient to read during
driving.

Issue(s) Addressed
Two constraints were kept in mind during the design of the circuit. First, the design
was to have the maximum possible clock speed, in order for the precision of the device
not to be sacrifices. The second, to minimize cost, the design was to be fitted inside a
CPLD with 108 macrocells1.
During simulation, propagation delays in the internal latches were reducing the speed
of operation. This issue was resolved by splitting the design internally into multiple
blocks.
The timing generation was derived internally by dividing a 10Mhz clock and setting up
a PWM2, in a block separate from the counter to enhance customizable and reduce the
need for external components.

Research Method
The design was described in VHDL3 and compiled and simulated in ModelSim III XE. It
was then implemented in Xilinx ISE Project Navigator and was targeted on an
Automotive XC95108. Synthesis and Fitting of the logic was then carried out. The
Automotive part was chosen for its higher reliability.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The design was successfully synthesized on a XC95108 CPLD with a maximum possible
clock of 83.33 Mhz. We found that by targeting a newer device like the CoolRunner2,
the clock speed may be increased to 140+ Mhz, using the same design.

1 A macrocell array is a prefabricated array of higher-level logic functions such as flip-flops, ALU functions, registers etc.
2 PWM = Pulse Width Modulation
3 VHSIC hardware description language. VHSIC: very-high-speed integrated circuit
Operation
The block diagram of the system is shown below:

The main components of the system are:

1. RPM Transducer
2. Clock Generator
3. Digital to Analog convertor
4. Pointer Display

RPM transducer
A contactless ferromagnetic sensor can be used to measure the spinning speed of the
engine without causing frictional losses. The RPM Transducer PR 9376 is ideally suited
for such measurement. Due to high resolution, fast internal electronic and the sharp
edged output pulses the PR 9376 is suitable for measurement of extremely high as well
as very low rotational speeds with high resolution.

Clock Generator
The CDCS502 is a spread spectrum capable, fundamental mode crystal oscillator with
selectable frequency multiplication. It features an advanced gain controlled
fundamental mode crystal oscillator stage with a built-in load capacitance of 10pF. This
oscillator stage accepts crystals from 8MHz to 32MHz with an ESR of up to 180 Ω . The
stage can be used with crystals with power dissipation of 50 µ W and up. The input
signal is processed by a PLL, whose output frequency is either equal to the input
frequency or multiplied by the factor of 4, depending on the mode selected.
Digital To Analog Converter
The AD5543/AD5553 are precision 16-/14-bit, low power, current output, small form
factor digital-to-analog converters (DACs). They are designed to operate from a single 5
V supply with a ±10 V multiplying reference. The applied external reference, VREF,
determines the full-scale output current. An internal feedback resistor (RFB) facilitates
the R-2R and temperature tracking for voltage conversion when combined with an
external op amp. These can accurately convert the digital output to drive the pointer.

Illustration 2: Galvanometer

Pointer
A galvanometer may be used for displaying the reading to the vehicle operator. A
galvanometer is a type of ammeter: an instrument for detecting and measuring electric
current. It is an analog electromechanical transducer4 that produces a rotary deflection
of some type of pointer in response to electric current flowing through its coil. The
term has expanded to include uses of the same mechanism in recording, positioning,
and servomechanism equipment.
A analog meter is preferred because it is easier for a vehicle operator to read while
driving the machine.

4 transducer is a device that converts one type of energy to another.

 RTL Schematic

Illustration 3: Entity Diagram

The system consists of two main sub-circuits.

1. CLOCKDIV
2. TMETER

CLOCKDIV
It divides the master CLOCK signal such that a pulse of 80% duty cycle and adequate
duration is setup up. By modifying this block the device can be made to measure faster
or slower spin speeds.

TMETER
This consists of a 16 bit counter, gating and auto-reset logic. This counts the rotations
per gate pulse and outputs the result on the RESULT [0:15] bus. That in turn drives a
DAC and hence the pointer.
VHDL Code

System

-- *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
-- _____ _ _
-- |_ _|_ _ ___| |__ ___ _ __ ___ ___| |_ ___ _ __
-- | |/ _` |/ __| '_ \ / _ \| '_ ` _ \ / _ \ __/ _ \ '__|
-- | | (_| | (__| | | | (_) | | | | | | __/ || __/ |
-- |_|\__,_|\___|_| |_|\___/|_| |_| |_|\___|\__\___|_|
--
-- *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
-- +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+
-- |S|h|a|u|n|a|k| |D|e| |a|n|d| |N|i|k|h|i|l| |A|.|
-- +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+

-- VHDL Code to ganetare timing, control logig and

-- measure RPM of an rotating part. eg: Engine.
--
-- The Ports are as follows:
-- INPUT: CLOCK, MOTORIN, RST
-- OUTPUT: RESULT
--
-- 15 OCT 2010, V1.1
-- *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

LIBRARY IEEE;
USE IEEE.STD_LOGIC_1164.ALL;
USE IEEE.STD_LOGIC_ARITH.ALL;
USE IEEE.STD_LOGIC_UNSIGNED.ALL;

ENTITY SYSTEM IS
PORT(
CLOCK: IN STD_LOGIC;
MOTORIN: IN STD_LOGIC;
RST: IN STD_LOGIC;
RESULT: OUT INTEGER RANGE 0 TO 65535
);
END SYSTEM;

ARCHITECTURE SYS OF SYSTEM IS

COMPONENT TMETER IS PORT( GATE: IN STD_LOGIC; -- MASTER

MOTOR: IN STD_LOGIC;
RESET : IN STD_LOGIC;
 SSD: OUT INTEGER RANGE 0 TO 65535
);
END COMPONENT;

COMPONENT CLKDIV IS PORT(

CLK: IN STD_LOGIC;
CLKOUT: OUT STD_LOGIC
);
END COMPONENT;

SIGNAL CLKTRN: STD_LOGIC;

BEGIN

CLOCKDIV: CLKDIV PORT MAP (CLK=>CLOCK, CLKOUT=>CLKTRN);

TACHMETER: TMETER PORT MAP (GATE=>CLKTRN, MOTOR=>MOTORIN, RESET =>
RST, SSD=>RESULT);

END SYS;
CLKDIV
-- *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
-- Entity to set up PWM pulses and divide master clock.
-- Ports of the entity are as follows:
-- IN: CLK
-- OUT: CLKOUT
-- 15 OCT 2010, V1.1
-- *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

LIBRARY IEEE;
USE IEEE.STD_LOGIC_1164.ALL;
USE IEEE.STD_LOGIC_ARITH.ALL;
USE IEEE.STD_LOGIC_UNSIGNED.ALL;

ENTITY CLKDIV IS
PORT(
CLK: IN STD_LOGIC;
CLKOUT: OUT STD_LOGIC
);
END CLKDIV;

ARCHITECTURE DIV OF CLKDIV IS

BEGIN

PROCESS (CLK)

VARIABLE COUNT: INTEGER RANGE 0 TO 12501 :=0;

VARIABLE STATE: STD_LOGIC := '1';

BEGIN
IF(CLK'EVENT and CLK='1') THEN -- SET UP COUNTER

IF(COUNT=12500)THEN
COUNT:=0;
STATE:= '1';
ELSE
COUNT := COUNT+1;
END IF;

IF(COUNT=10000)THEN -- SET UP PWM

STATE:= NOT STATE;
END IF;

END IF;
CLKOUT <= STATE;

END PROCESS;
END DIV;
TMETER
-- *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
-- Entity to count gated pulses and auto reset.
--
-- Ports of the entity are as follows:
-- IN: GATE, MOTOR, RESET
-- OUT: SSD
--
-- 15 OCT 2010, V1.1
-- *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

LIBRARY IEEE;
USE IEEE.STD_LOGIC_1164.ALL;
USE IEEE.STD_LOGIC_ARITH.ALL;
USE IEEE.STD_LOGIC_UNSIGNED.ALL;

ENTITY TMETER IS
PORT( GATE: IN STD_LOGIC; -- ENABLE GATE
MOTOR: IN STD_LOGIC; -- COUNTER
CLOCK
RESET : IN STD_LOGIC; -- ASYNC
RESET
SSD: OUT INTEGER RANGE 0 TO 65535 -- OUTPUT
);
END TMETER;

ARCHITECTURE TACH OF TMETER IS

BEGIN

PROCESS (MOTOR, GATE, RESET)

VARIABLE N:INTEGER RANGE 0 TO 65535 := 0;

BEGIN

IF GATE='1' AND GATE'EVENT THEN -- AUTO

RESET SYSTEM ON GATE ROLL
N := 0;
END IF;

IF N=65535 THEN
N := 0;
END IF;

IF MOTOR='1' AND GATE='1' THEN -- COUNT MOTOR

TICKS
N := N+1;
END IF;
 IF GATE='0' THEN -- LATCH
COUNT TO OUTPUT LINES
SSD <= N;
END IF;

IF RESET='1' THEN -- ASYNC

RESET LOGIC
N:=0;
SSD <=N;
END IF;

END PROCESS;

END TACH;
VHDL Simulation
VHDL code attached above was compiled and simulated in ModelSim XE III (Started
Edition).
Simulation was with a 100 picoseconds clock. The results were then split into various
different timescales to allow observations on all features of the circuit.
The circuit was implemented in ISE Project Navigator 12.2
The results of the simulation and Implementation reports are attached ahead.

Illustration 4: Simulation in ModelSim

System Overview
System Detail -1
System Detail -2
Reset Action
CLKDIV
TMETER
Implementation Report
The design was implemented in ISE Project Navigator on an Automotive XC95108
device. The result of the implementation are as follows:

CPLD Fitter Report

Design Name SYSTEM
Fitting Status Successful
Software Version M.63c
Device Used XC95108-7-PC84
Date 10-17-2010, 11:55PM

Resources summary
Macrocells Function Block
Pterms Used Registers Used Pins Used
Used Inputs Used
91/108 (85%) 222/540 (42%) 31/108 (29%) 19/69 (28%) 175/216 (82%)

Pin resources

Signal Type Required Mapped

Input 2 2
Output 16 16
Bidirectional 0 0
GCK 1 1
GTS 0 0
GSR 0 0

Global resources
Signal mapped onto global clock net
CLOCK
(GCK1)

Power Data
Macrocells in high performance mode
91
(MCHP)
Macrocells in low power mode (MCLP) 0
Total macrocells used (MC) 91
Inputs
Function Macrocel Pin Pin Pin
Signal Name
Block l Number Type Use
I/O/GC
CLOCK FB1 MC12 9 GCK
K1
MOTORIN FB5 MC17 44 I/O I
RST FB2 MC3 72 I/O I

Function Blocks
Pins
Function Macrocells Function Block Product Terms
Used/Tota
Block Used/Total Inputs Used/Total Used/Total
l
FB1 12 / 18 27 / 36 24 / 90 1 / 12
FB2 16 / 18 32 / 36 42 / 90 4 / 12
FB3 16 / 18 32 / 36 47 / 90 4 / 12
FB4 16 / 18 32 / 36 43 / 90 4 / 11
FB5 15 / 18 32 / 36 39 / 90 3 / 11
FB6 16 / 18 20 / 36 27 / 90 2 / 11

Compiler Options
Following is a list of all global compiler options used by the fitter run.

Device(s) Specified : xc95108-7-PC84

Optimization Method : DENSITY
Multi-Level Logic Optimization : ON
Ignore Timing Specifications : OFF
Default Register Power Up Value : LOW
Keep User Location Constraints : ON
What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get : OFF
Exhaustive Fitting : OFF
Keep Unused Inputs : OFF
Slew Rate : FAST
Power Mode : STD
Ground on Unused IOs : OFF
Global Clock Optimization : ON
Global Set/Reset Optimization : ON
Global Ouput Enable Optimization : ON
FASTConnect/UIM optimzation : ON
Local Feedback : ON
Pin Feedback : ON
Input Limit : 36
Pterm Limit : 25
Pin List
Device : XC95108-7-PC84

--------------------------------------------------------------
/11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 84 83 82 81 80 79 78 77 76 75 \
| 12 74 |
| 13 73 |
| 14 72 |
| 15 71 |
| 16 70 |
| 17 69 |
| 18 68 |
| 19 67 |
| 20 66 |
| 21 XC95108-7-PC84 65 |
| 22 64 |
| 23 63 |
| 24 62 |
| 25 61 |
| 26 60 |
| 27 59 |
| 28 58 |
| 29 57 |
| 30 56 |
| 31 55 |
| 32 54 |
\ 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 /
--------------------------------------------------------------

Pin Signal Pin Signal

No. Name No. Name
1 RESULT<0> 43 TIE
2 TIE 44 MOTORIN
3 TIE 45 RESULT<15>
4 TIE 46 TIE
5 TIE 47 TIE
6 TIE 48 TIE
7 TIE 49 GND
8 GND 50 TIE
9 CLOCK 51 TIE
10 TIE 52 RESULT<1>
11 TIE 53 TIE
12 TIE 54 TIE
13 TIE 55 TIE
14 RESULT<3> 56 TIE
15 TIE 57 RESULT<2>
16 GND 58 TIE
17 TIE 59 TDO
18 RESULT<4> 60 GND
19 TIE 61 TIE
20 TIE 62 RESULT<7>
21 RESULT<5> 63 TIE
22 VCC 64 VCC
23 TIE 65 TIE
24 TIE 66 RESULT<8>
 25 RESULT<6> 67 TIE
26 TIE 68 TIE
27 GND 69 RESULT<9>
28 TDI 70 TIE
29 TMS 71 RESULT<10>
30 TCK 72 RST
31 TIE 73 VCC
32 RESULT<13> 74 TIE
33 TIE 75 TIE
34 TIE 76 TIE
35 TIE 77 TIE
36 TIE 78 VCC
37 TIE 79 RESULT<11>
38 VCC 80 TIE
39 RESULT<14> 81 TIE
40 TIE 82 RESULT<12>
41 TIE 83 TIE
42 GND 84 TIE

Legend : NC = Not Connected, unbonded pin

PGND = Unused I/O configured as additional Ground pin
TIE = Unused I/O floating -- must tie to VCC, GND or other signal
VCC = Dedicated Power Pin
GND = Dedicated Ground Pin
TDI = Test Data In, JTAG pin
TDO = Test Data Out, JTAG pin
TCK = Test Clock, JTAG pin
TMS = Test Mode Select, JTAG pin
PROHIBITED = User reserved pin
Implementation Diagram
Conclusions
The counting engine for the Tachometer was successfully implemented in VHDL and
simulated using ModelSim III XE (starter edition). The code behaves as required for the
purpose of counting and displaying, and has been tested to remove any bugs.
The design was realized on a Xilinx XC95108 in ISE Project Navigator <12.2>.

Through the project we have enlisted the following CAD tools:

• ModelSim III XE: Simulation and VHDL compiler
• Ghostscript: Printing of simulation results to PDF.
• GIMP: Image and graph editing.
• ISE Project navigator: Implementation on CPLD

The project can hence be synthesized for transfer on a CPLD/FPGA solution, or

processed for manufacture.
Bibliography
Books:
• VHDL Primer – Third Edition – J. Bhasker
• Digital Design, 3E – M. Morris Mano,
• Circuit Design with VHDL - Volnei A. Pedroni

Websites:
• NJIT UG course:
architecture.njit.edu/academics/undergraduate/artanddesign/dd-brochure.pdf
• ModelSim basics:
www.tkt.cs.tut.fi/tools/public/tutorials/mentor/modelsim/getting_started/gms.ht
ml
• ModelSim Environment Setup: www.ece.msstate.edu/~reese/EE8993/setup.html
• EDNC VHDL 101:
www.ednc.com/bbs/data/file/pds/6734cd03_IntroModelSim60GUI.pdf
• VHDL primer: www.seas.upenn.edu/~ese201/vhdl/vhdl_primer.html
• VHDL resources: esd.cs.ucr.edu/labs/tutorial/VHDL_Page.html
• Tachometer: auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/safety-regulatory-
devices/speedometer.htm
Illustration Index
Illustration 1: Automobile Tachometer......................................................................................................3
Illustration 2: Galvanometer......................................................................................................................7
Illustration 3: Entity Diagram....................................................................................................................8
Illustration 4: Simulation in ModelSim...................................................................................................14

Alphabetical Index
duty cycle ..................................................................................................................................................8
Function Block.........................................................................................................................................22
galvanometer .............................................................................................................................................7
instrument...................................................................................................................................................4
ISE Project Navigator..............................................................................................................................14
macrocells..................................................................................................................................................5
ModelSim XE III.....................................................................................................................................14
R-2R...........................................................................................................................................................7
redlining.....................................................................................................................................................3
RPM Transducer........................................................................................................................................6
tachometer..................................................................................................................................................3
TIE...........................................................................................................................................................24
XC95108..................................................................................................................................................21