ASM Chart

ASM CHART

Sooner or later you will discover that state diagrams can become very messy. In many cases just drawing a state diagram includes certain assumptions that are not true in general. Perhaps certain cases of inputs will never happen, hence the corresponding arcs are simply not drawn. Certain cases of outputs are not significant and sometimes are left out. An algorithmic state machine (ASM) diagram offers several advantages over state diagrams:

·              For larger state diagrams, often are easier to intpret

·              conditions for a proper state diagram are automatically satisfied

·              may be easily coverted to other forms

A key point to remember about ASM charts is that given a state, they do not enumerate all the possible inputs and outputs. Only the inputs that matter and the outputs that are asserted are indicated. It must be known whether a signal is positive or negative logic:

·              Positive logic signals that are high are said to be asserted

·              Negative logic singals that are low are said to be asserted

In this document, a _n suffix is added to indicate negative logic signals.

1. The ASM Block Diagram

An ASM chart has an entry point and is constructed with blocks. A block is constucted with the following type of symbols.

There is no rule saying that outputs are exclusively inside an a conditional output box or in a state box. An output written inside a state box is simply independent of the input, while in that state.

The idea is that flow passes from ASM block to ASM block, the decisision boxes decide the next state and conditional output. Consider the following example of an ASM diagram block. When state S0 is entered, output Z5 is always asserted. Z1_n however is asserted only if X2 is also high. Otherwise Z2 is asserted.

2. Certain Rules

The drawing of ASM charts must follow certain necessary rules:

The entrance paths to an ASM block lead to only one state box Of 'N' possible exit paths, for each possible valid input combination, only one exit path can be followed, that is there is only one valid next state.

No feedback internal to a state box is allowed. The following diagram indicates valid and invalid cases.

3. Parallel vs. Serial

We can bend the rules, several internal paths can be active, provided that they lead to a single exit path. Regardless of parallel or serial form, all tests are performed concurrently. Usually we have a preference for the serial form. The following two examples are equivalent.

4. Sequence Detector Example

The use of ASM charts is a trade-off. While the mechanics of ASM charts do reduce clutter in significant designs, its better to use an ordinary state diagrams for simple state machines. Here is an example Moore type state machine with input X and output Z. Once the flag sequence is received, the output is asserted for one clock cycle.

The corresponding ASM chart is to the right. Note that unlike the state diagram which illustrates the output value for each arc, the ASM chart indicates when the output Z only when it is asserted.

The following timing diagram illustrates the detection of the desired sequence. Here it is assumed that the state is updated with a rising clock edge. The key concept to observe is that regardless of the input, the output can only be asserted for one entire clock cycle.

5. Event Tables

Simply stated, timing diagrams are prone to a particular problem for the reader, in that there can be too much to see. Timing diagrams clearly expresses time relationships and delay. However, in synchonous sequential logic, all registers are updated at the rising edge of the system clock. The clock period is just set to an arbitrarily value. Provided that the input setup-and-hold requirements are satisfied, the details of the timing diagram are distracting.

The goal of an event table is that given a scenario, to neatly summarize the resultant behavior of synchronous sequential logic. In writing an event table, capitol T refers to the system clock period and nT means n times the system clock period. For asynchronous input changes, the time is given, assuming that the system output reacts instantaneously. For synchronous signals, the + symbol means a moment suitably after the given time, for the system to become settled. The - symbol however, means a moment suitably before the given time, satisfying the necessary setup time.

To reduce the clutter, be sure to fill in those signals that change state or are updated. The following event table summarizes the behavior in the above timing diagram. An empty entry will be interpreted to mean no-change to the corresponding signal during the corresponding clock cycle.

6. Asynchronous and Synchronous Output Example

The following is an example of an ASM chart with inputs X1 and X2, and outputs Z1 and Z2. In state S0 the outputs are immediately dependent on the input. In state S1, output Z1 is always asserted. In state S2, output Z1 is dependent on input X1 but Z2 is not asserted.

The following is the corresponding state diagram. The legend indicates how the input and output are associated with each arc. The 'd' symbol, which refers here to the don't-care condition helps to reduce the clutter. While the state diagram and ASM chart here are similar in complexity, state diagrams quickly become messy.

7. Clock Enable

Simply stated, a clock enable indicates when a state machine must pay attention to the system clock. The figure below has a clock signal and a clock enable, note that this clock enable is asserted for one clock period at a time. The clock enable concept is powerful as it allows a device to effectively be clocked at a rate slower than the system clock, while remaining entirely synchronous with the rest of the system. In this case the effective clock rate is one-third that of the system clock.

In the spirit of reducing clutter, a clock enable can be written next to a state box. When not asserted, the device remains in its current state. The following figues are equivalent. Further, it is assumed that devices controlled by such a state, as directly or indirectly enabled by the clock enable as well.