When working with digital signal processing (DSP) applications, converting decimal numbers to binary is an essential task. In this tutorial, we will explore how to convert decimal numbers to binary using SystemVerilog. We will also discuss some of the challenges and limitations of floating-point computations and introduce a simple fixed-point approach.

In Verilog, we can use the built-in functions for converting decimal numbers to binary. The `str.atobin()` function is particularly useful for this purpose. This function takes a string as input and returns the equivalent binary value. For example, if you pass the string '1024' to `str.atobin()`, it will return the binary representation of 1024.

The `str.atobin()` function scans all leading digits and underscore characters (_ ) in the input string and stops as soon as it encounters any other character or the end of the string. This makes it easy to convert decimal numbers to binary, even if they have a large number of digits.

In addition to using built-in functions like `str.atobin()`, we can also use fixed-point arithmetic for converting decimal numbers to binary. Most FPGAs have dedicated DSP blocks that make multiplication and addition of integers fast, which makes them suitable for fixed-point computations. This approach is often simpler and more efficient than floating-point computation, especially when dealing with small-scale applications.

However, sometimes you may need more precision than integers can provide, in which case floating-point computation becomes necessary. Floating-point computation is not trivial, as it requires understanding of IEEE 754 standard and other nuances of floating-point arithmetic. In such cases, using a library or IP block for floating-point computations can be helpful.

In conclusion, converting decimal numbers to binary in Verilog is a straightforward task that can be accomplished using built-in functions like `str.atobin()` or fixed-point arithmetic. By understanding the limitations and challenges of floating-point computation, you can choose the most suitable approach for your specific application.

Decimal to binary in verilog