Ethernet development in RTL

[Tajira]

Has anyone done Ethernet protocols development using RTL Codes on FPGA? I got some questions.
I will use some kit to develop an RTL based system that will receive some free Ethernet streams( or may be paid) and draw some graphs over time on computer.
Now I will not use expensive xilinx IPs, and Vivado as I don't have money to spend on this. What I can do is to develop RTL Codes which will drive the emac and other chips which are necessary to drive ethernet traffic.
Now my questions are :
- Which development board to choose under 300 dollars? Xilinx preferably.
- What parts of code I need to develop in order to receive and send Ethernet packets ( most probably udp ).
- Do I need some oscilloscope to test ? Which one do you suggest?

I mean these questions are very crude and basic but answers to these will get me started.

Thank you for your patience and help in advance.

 

[ahsrabrifat]

You can take a look at the Digilent Arty A7 (Artix-7 FPGA). https://digilent.com/shop/arty-a7-1...TNe3G9b3KmVVluymhek2tEi4_R8KTyVRtv8L7xfi11jc-

 

[dpaul]

@Tajira
Now my questions are :
- Which development board to choose under 300 dollars? Xilinx preferably.
Ans> You essentially need a dev board which has an RJ45 connectecor to be able to test your design. Options are many, but if you want to use Xilinx IPs then you have to use a Xilinx FPGA.

- What parts of code I need to develop in order to receive and send Ethernet packets ( most probably udp ).
Ans> You need to implement the data-link-layer of the Ethernet protocol at the FPGA. It is popularly called as the MAC.
The AXI Ethernet MAC 10/100 speed is free to use from AMD. But the 10/100/1000 Mbps MAC, called the TEMAC needs a license for long term use (you can still use the TEMAC core's 'Hardware Evaluation License' in which the TEMAC IP core will function for a couple of hours after bitstream generation).
Developing own MAC core is also not very difficult, search for help at the internet.
What is important additionally is what interface the Ethernet PHY chip board has at your development board of choice. It might have RGMII/RMII/SGMII/XGMII/etc. Accordingly you to use the protocol to connect the PHY and the MAC.
To avoid inital confusions, I would advise you to read the Xilinx PG051 Ethernet MAC documentation and use the TEMAC IP core (run the example_design simulation to understand stuff). Advantages are good documentation and support forum!

- Do I need some oscilloscope to test ? Which one do you suggest?
Ans> No not needed for the Ethernet interface. But how to use a debug core or ILA will be necessary. Your Ethernet design would talk to partner, so I would use a PC with an Ethernet card to have such communication.