Software Instructions

This class uses several different software packages that freely available to everyone. Students can download and install this software on their personal computer and work on their class assignments outside the lab.  You will be able to simulate your Verilog/Python projects on your personal computers. However, all custom boards and instruments are only available in the ECEB 4022 lab. To fully test your projects, you will need to use the computers and hardware in the labs.

We are running 64-bit version of Windows 10 on the lab computers and these links are tailored for this operating system. Here is the list of software and link where you can download it:


  1. Xilinx Vivado 2018.3 – This is Xilinx development environment for Windows. You will need to create an account on Xilinx website before you can download the software. If you are using other operating system, click here to download Vivado.

  2. Front Panel 5.02 – This is software provided by OpalKelly that enables communication with the custom FPGA boards. It also contains all the APIs for Python, C/C++ and Vivado. Software only available to registered students in the class.

  3. Anaconda3-5.2.0-Windows-x86_64.exe – Since FrontPanel 5.02 software only works with Python 3.6., we will use Anaconda3-5.2.0. Do not use the latest version of Anaconda as it will not work with the FrontPanel. You will need to download Anaconda3-5.3.0 version which supports Python 3.6. You can download Anaconda for different operating systems here.

  4. Once Anaconda is installed, open the Anaconda Console as an administrator.You can do so by right clicking on the Anaconda Prompt and select “Run as administrator”. You will install several support libraries by typing the following commands:

    conda install -c conda-forge pyvisa
    conda install matplotlib
    conda install numpy

    python -m pip install --upgrade pip

    pip install https://github.com/pyvisa/pyvisa-py/tarball/master