A quick code to turn off every single segment onto a FPGA board.

For this tutorial we use the Altera DE1 board.

So if you have another one, just replace HEX0, HEX1, HEX2, HEX3 by your assignment.

Explanation

Each number is a pin onto the board.
As there are 4 * 7 segments = 28 segments to light, so 28 pins.

So, to turn off all segments of a display, it’s necessary to use 7’b1111111 as value.

Because by default, a “0” value is equal to light the corresponding segment.

Let’s have a look to this diagram.

     _0_  
 5 |       | 1  
    |_6_|  
 4 |       | 2  
    |___|  
        3  

If 0 = ON and 1 = OFF, then:

  • 0 = 1111110
  • 1 = 1111101
  • 2 = 1111011
  • 3 = 1110111
  • 4 = 1101111
  • 5 = 1011111
  • 6 = 0111111

Code

top1.v

// top-level entity: module top1
module top1(
output wire [6:0] HEX0, HEX1, HEX2, HEX3
);
// call nested module
segment_remove_all(
.h0(HEX0),
.h1(HEX1),
.h2(HEX2),
.h3(HEX3)
);
endmodule

segment_remove_all.v

// generic module: segment_remove_all
module segment_remove_all(
output reg [6:0] h0, h1, h2, h3
);
// parameter
parameter off = 7'b1111111;
// always
always @(*) begin
h0 <= off;
h1 <= off;
h2 <= off;
h3 <= off;
end
endmodule

Conclusion

Your 7-segment displays are now turned off.
And your eyes thank you for removing this red light.

Well done, you’ve made it.