Finite State Machines

• Design methodology for sequential logic

-- identify distinct states
-- create state transition diagram
-- choose state encoding
-- write combinational Verilog for next-state logic
-- write combinational Verilog for output signals
• Lots of examples

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 1

 Finite State Machines
• Finite State Machines (FSMs) are a useful abstraction for
sequential circuits with centralized “states” of operation
• At each clock edge, combinational logic computes outputs and
next state as a function of inputs and present state

inputs Combinational outputs

+ Logic +
present next
state state

n n

Q D
Registers
CLK

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 2

 Two Types of FSMs
Moore and Mealy FSMs : different output generation
• Moore FSM:
next
state
S+
inputs D Q outputs
Comb. Comb.
x0...xn Logic
n Registers
Logic yk = fk(S)
CLK
n

present state S

• Mealy FSM:
direct combinational path!
outputs
yk = fk(S, x0...xn)
inputs S+ Comb.
x0...xn Comb. D Q
n Registers Logic
Logic
CLK
n

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 3

 Design Example: Level-to-Pulse
• A level-to-pulse converter produces a single-
cycle pulse each time its input goes high.
• It’s a synchronous rising-edge detector.
• Sample uses:
– Buttons and switches pressed by humans for
arbitrary periods of time
– Single-cycle enable signals for counters

Level to
L Pulse P
Converter
...output P produces a
Whenever input L goes
single pulse, one clock
from low to high...
CLK period wide.

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 4

 Step 1: State Transition Diagram
• Block diagram of desired system:
Synchronizer Edge Detector

unsynchronized Level to
user input
D Q D Q L Pulse P
FSM
CLK

• State transition diagram is a useful FSM representation and

design aid:
“if L=1 at the clock edge,
then jump to state 01.”
L=1 L=1 Binary values of states

00 11
11
L=0 01
Low input, High input,
Waiting for rise
Edge Detected!
Waiting for fall
L=1
P=0 P=1 P=0
L=0
L=0 This is the output that results
“if L=0 at the clock
edge, then stay in state from this state. (Moore or
00.” Mealy?)

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 5

 Valid State Transition Diagrams

L=1 L=1

00 11
L=0 01
Low input, High input,
Waiting for rise
Edge Detected!
Waiting for fall
L=1
P=0 P=1 P=0
L=0
L=0

• Arcs leaving a state are mutually exclusive, i.e., for any

combination input values there’s at most one applicable arc
• Arcs leaving a state are collectively exhaustive, i.e., for any
combination of input values there’s at least one applicable arc
• So for each state: for any combination of input values there’s
exactly one applicable arc
• Often a starting state is specified
• Each state specifies values for all outputs (Moore)
6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 6
 Choosing State Representation

Choice #1: binary encoding

For N states, use ceil(log2N) bits to encode the state with each
state represented by a unique combination of the bits.
Tradeoffs: most efficient use of state registers, but requires
more complicated combinational logic to detect when in a
particular state.

Choice #2: “one-hot” encoding

For N states, use N bits to encode the state where the bit
corresponding to the current state is 1, all the others 0.
Tradeoffs: more state registers, but often much less
combinational logic since state decoding is trivial.

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 7

 Step 2: Logic Derivation
Current Next
Transition diagram is readily converted to a State
In
State
Out
state transition table (just a truth table)
S1 S0 L S1+ S0+ P
L=1 L=1
0 0 0 0 0 0
L=0
00 11
L=1 0 0 1 0 1 0
01
Low input,
Edge Detected!
High input, 0 1 0 0 0 1
Waiting for rise Waiting for fall
P=0 P=1 P=0 0 1 1 1 1 1
L=0 L=0 1 1 0 0 0 0
1 1 1 1 1 0

• Combinational logic may be derived using Karnaugh maps

S1S0 for S1 :
+

L 00 01 11 10
0 0 0 0 X
L S+ P
1 0 1 1 X Comb. D Q Comb.
n Registers S1
for P:
S1S0 for S0
+: Logic Logic
CLK S0 0 1
L 00 01 11 10 n
0 0 X
0 0 0 0 X S
S1+ = LS0 P = S1S0 1 1 0
1 1 1 1 X S0+ = L

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 8

 Moore Level-to-Pulse Converter
next
state
S+
inputs D Q outputs
Comb. Comb.
x0...xn Logic
n Registers
Logic yk = fk(S)
CLK
n

present state S
S1+ = LS0 P = S1S0
S0+ = L

Moore FSM circuit implementation of level-to-pulse converter:

S0+ S0
L D Q
P
CLK Q

D Q
S1+ S1
Q

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 9

 Design of a Mealy Level-to-Pulse
direct combinational path!

S+ Comb.
Comb. D Q
n Registers Logic
Logic
CLK
n
S
• Since outputs are determined by state and inputs, Mealy FSMs may
need fewer states than Moore FSM implementations
1. When L=1 and S=0, this output is
asserted immediately and until the
state transition occurs (or L L 1
changes). 2
P
L=1 | P=1 Clock
L=0 | P=0 0 1 Stat
Input is low Input is high e
Output transitions immediately.
L=0 | P=0
State transitions at the clock
L=1 | P=0 edge.
2. While in state S=1 and as long as L remains
at 1, this output is asserted until next clock.

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 10

 Mealy Level-to-Pulse Converter
Next
Pres.
L=1 | P=1 State
In Stat Out
e
0 1
Input is low Input is high S L S+ P

L=0 | P=0 0 0 0 0
L=0 | P=0 L=1 | P=0 0 1 1 1
1 1 1 0
1 0 0 0

Mealy FSM circuit implementation of level-to-pulse converter:

P
S+ S
L D Q

CLK Q
S

• FSM’s state simply remembers the previous value of L

• Circuit benefits from the Mealy FSM’s implicit single-cycle
assertion of outputs during state transitions

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 11

 Moore/Mealy Trade-Offs

• How are they different?

– Moore: outputs = f( state ) only
– Mealy outputs = f( state and input )
– Mealy outputs generally occur one cycle earlier than a Moore:

Moore: delayed assertion of P Mealy: immediate assertion of P

L L
P P

Clock Clock

State[ State
0]

• Compared to a Moore FSM, a Mealy FSM might...

– Be more difficult to conceptualize and design
– Have fewer states

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 12

 Example: Intersection Traffic Lights
• Design a controller for the traffic lights at the intersection of
two streets – two sets of traffic lights, one for each of the
streets.
• Step 1: Draw starting state transition diagram. Just handle the
usual green-yellow-red cycle for both streets. How many states?
Well, how many different combinations of the two sets of lights
are needed?
• Step 2: add support for a walk button and walk lights to your
state transition diagram.
• Step 3: add support for a traffic sensor for each of the streets
– when the sensor detects traffic the green cycle for that street
is extended.

Example to be worked collaboratively on the board…

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 13

 FSM Example
GOAL:
Build an electronic combination lock with a reset
button, two number buttons (0 and 1), and an unlock
output. The combination should be 01011.
RESET
“0” UNLOCK
“1”

STEPS:
1. Design lock FSM (block diagram, state transitions)
2. Write Verilog module(s) for FSM

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 14

 Step 1A: Block Diagram

lock
Clock
fsm_clock fsm
generator

unlock Unlock
reset button LED
Button
reset
Enter

Button b0_in button

b0 LED
0
DISPLAY
state
Button b1_in
button b1
1

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 15

 Step 1B: State transition diagram

RESET
1
1 0

RESET 0 “0” 1 “01”

Unlock = 0 Unlock = 0 Unlock = 0

0
1 0
0
“01011” 1 “0101” 1 “010”
Unlock = 1 Unlock = 0 Unlock = 0

0
6 states  3 bits
6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 16
 Step 2: Write Verilog
module lock(input clk,reset_in,b0_in,b1_in,
output out);

// synchronize push buttons, convert to pulses

// implement state transition diagram

reg [2:0] state,next_state;
always @(*) begin
// combinational logic!
next_state = ???;
end
always @(posedge clk) state <= next_state;

// generate output
assign out = ???;

// debugging?
endmodule

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 17

 Step 2A: Synchronize buttons
// button
// push button synchronizer and level-to-pulse converter
// OUT goes high for one cycle of CLK whenever IN makes a
// low-to-high transition.
out
module button(
r1 r2 r3
input clk,in, in D Q D Q D Q
output out
);
clk
reg r1,r2,r3;
always @(posedge clk) synchronizer state
begin
r1 <= in; // first reg in synchronizer
r2 <= r1; // second reg in synchronizer, output is in sync!
r3 <= r2; // remembers previous state of button
end

// rising edge = old value is 0, new value is 1

assign out = ~r3 & r2;
endmodule
6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 18
 Step 2B: state transition diagram
parameter S_RESET = 0; // state assignments
parameter S_0 = 1; RESET
parameter S_01 = 2; 0
1
1
parameter S_010 = 3; RESET 0 “0” 1 “01”
parameter S_0101 = 4; Unlock = 0 Unlock = 0 Unlock = 0

parameter S_01011 = 5; 0
1 0
0
reg [2:0] state, next_state; “01011 ” 1 “0101 ” 1 “010”
Unlock = 1 Unlock = 0 Unlock = 0
always @(*) begin
// implement state transition diagram 0

if (reset) next_state = S_RESET;

else case (state)
S_RESET: next_state = b0 ? S_0 : b1 ? S_RESET : state;
S_0: next_state = b0 ? S_0 : b1 ? S_01 : state;
S_01: next_state = b0 ? S_010 : b1 ? S_RESET : state;
S_010: next_state = b0 ? S_0 : b1 ? S_0101 : state;
S_0101: next_state = b0 ? S_010 : b1 ? S_01011 : state;
S_01011: next_state = b0 ? S_0 : b1 ? S_RESET : state;
default: next_state = S_RESET; // handle unused states
endcase
end

always @(posedge clk) state <= next_state;

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 19
 Step 2C: generate output

// it’s a Moore machine! Output only depends on current state

assign out = (state == S_01011);

Step 2D: debugging?

// hmmm. What would be useful to know? Current state?

// hex_display on labkit shows 16 four bit values

assign hex_display = {60’b0, 1'b0, state[2:0]};

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 20

 Step 2: final Verilog implementation
module lock(input clk,reset_in,b0_in,b1_in,
output out, output [3:0] hex_display);

wire reset, b0, b1; // synchronize push buttons, convert to pulses

button b_reset(clk,reset_in,reset);
button b_0(clk,b0_in,b0);
button b_1(clk,b1_in,b1);

parameter S_RESET = 0; parameter S_0 = 1; // state assignments

parameter S_01 = 2; parameter S_010 = 3;
parameter S_0101 = 4; parameter S_01011 = 5;

reg [2:0] state,next_state;

always @(*) begin // implement state transition diagram
if (reset) next_state = S_RESET;
else case (state)
S_RESET: next_state = b0 ? S_0 : b1 ? S_RESET : state;
S_0: next_state = b0 ? S_0 : b1 ? S_01 : state;
S_01: next_state = b0 ? S_010 : b1 ? S_RESET : state;
S_010: next_state = b0 ? S_0 : b1 ? S_0101 : state;
S_0101: next_state = b0 ? S_010 : b1 ? S_01011 : state;
S_01011: next_state = b0 ? S_0 : b1 ? S_RESET : state;
default: next_state = S_RESET; // handle unused states
endcase
end
always @ (posedge clk) state <= next_state;

assign out = (state == S_01011); // assign output: Moore machine

assign hex_display = {1'b0,state}; // debugging
endmodule

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 21

 Real FSM Security System

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 22

 The 6.111 Vending Machine

• Lab assistants demand a new soda

machine for the 6.111 lab. You
design the FSM controller. 30¢ 30¢
• All selections are $0.30.
• The machine makes change.
COINS ONLY

(Dimes and nickels only.) 25¢

10¢ 5¢

• Inputs: limit 1 per clock Co

– Q - quarter inserted Sprite
– D - dime inserted Jolt

– N - nickel inserted Water

• Outputs: limit 1 per clock LS163

– DC - dispense can
– DD - dispense dime
– DN - dispense nickel

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 23

 What States are in the System?
• A starting (idle) state:
idle
• A state for each possible amount of money captured:

got5c got10c got15c ...

• What’s the maximum amount of money captured before purchase?

25 cents (just shy of a purchase) + one quarter (largest coin)
... got35c got40c got45c got50c

• States to dispense change (one per coin dispensed):

Dispense Dispense
got45c Dime Nickel

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 24

 A Moore Vender
Here’s a first cut at the idle
state transition N=1
D=1 got5c
diagram. N=1
D=1 got10c Q=1

N=1
D=1 got15c
N=1 Q=1
D=1 got20c
N=1 Q=1
D=1 got25c *
N=1 Q=1
See a better way?
D=1 got30c
So do we. DC=1 *
Don’t go away... Q=1
got35c chg35
DC=1 DN=1
*
got40c chg40
* *
DD=1
DC=1
*
got45c
DC=1
* chg45
DD=1
chg45b
DN=1 *
got50c chg50 chg50b
DC=1
* DD=1 DD=1

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 25

 State Reduction
Duplicate states have: idle
 The same outputs, and N=1
idle  The same transitions D=1 got5c
N=1 N=1
There are two duplicates
D=1 got5c Q=1
in our original diagram. D=1 got10c
N=1
N=1
got10c Q=1
D=1
N=1
D=1 got15c *
D=1 got15c N=1 Q=1
N=1 Q=1 D=1 got20c
D=1 got20c N=1
Q=1
N=1 D=1 got25c
D=1 got25c Q=1
N=1 Q=1
* *
N=1
Q=1 D=1 got30c
D=1 got30c DC=1
DC=1 * Q=1
Q=1
got35c chg35 got35c rtn5
DN=1 17 states 15 states DC=1 DN=1
DC=1
*
* 5 state bits 4 state bits *
got40c chg40 * got40c rtn10
DC=1
* DD=1 DD=1 *
DC=1
*
got45c * chg45 chg45b
DC=1 DD=1 DN=1 * got45c * rtn15
DC=1 DD=1 *
got50c chg50 chg50b
DC=1
* DD=1 DD=1 got50c rtn20
DC=1
* DD=1

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 26

 Verilog for the Moore Vender
module mooreVender (
input N, D, Q, clk, reset,
output DC, DN, DD,
output reg [3:0] state);
Comb. n
DState Q Comb.
Logic Register Logic reg next;
CLK
n
States defined with parameter keyword
parameter IDLE = 0;
FSMs are easy in Verilog. parameter
parameter
GOT_5c = 1;
GOT_10c = 2;
Simply write one of each: parameter
parameter
GOT_15c = 3;
GOT_20c = 4;
parameter GOT_25c = 5;
 State register parameter
parameter
GOT_30c = 6;
GOT_35c = 7;
(sequential always block) parameter GOT_40c = 8;
parameter GOT_45c = 9;
 Next-state parameter GOT_50c = 10;

combinational logic
parameter RETURN_20c = 11;
parameter RETURN_15c = 12;
(comb. always block with case) parameter
parameter
RETURN_10c = 13;
RETURN_5c = 14;

 Output combinational State register defined with sequential

logic block always block
(comb. always block or assign
statements) always @ (posedge clk or negedge reset)
if (!reset) state <= IDLE;
else state <= next;

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 27

 Verilog for the Moore Vender
GOT_25c: if (Q) next = GOT_50c;
Next-state logic within a else if (D) next = GOT_35c;
else if (N) next = GOT_30c;
combinational always block else next = GOT_25c;

GOT_30c: next = IDLE;

always @ (state or N or D or Q) begin
GOT_35c: next = RETURN_5c;
GOT_40c: next = RETURN_10c;
case (state)
GOT_45c: next = RETURN_15c;
IDLE: if (Q) next = GOT_25c;
GOT_50c: next = RETURN_20c;
else if (D) next = GOT_10c;
else if (N) next = GOT_5c;
RETURN_20c: next = RETURN_10c;
else next = IDLE;
RETURN_15c: next = RETURN_5c;
RETURN_10c: next = IDLE;
GOT_5c: if (Q) next = GOT_30c;
RETURN_5c: next = IDLE;
else if (D) next = GOT_15c;
else if (N) next = GOT_10c;
default: next = IDLE;
else next = GOT_5c;
endcase
end
GOT_10c: if (Q) next = GOT_35c;
else if (D) next = GOT_20c;
else if (N) next = GOT_15c;
else next = GOT_10c;
Combinational output assignment
GOT_15c: if (Q) next = GOT_40c; assign DC = (state == GOT_30c || state == GOT_35c ||
else if (D) next = GOT_25c; state == GOT_40c || state == GOT_45c ||
else if (N) next = GOT_20c; state == GOT_50c);
else next = GOT_15c; assign DN = (state == RETURN_5c);
assign DD = (state == RETURN_20c || state == RETURN_15c ||
GOT_20c: if (Q) next = GOT_45c; state == RETURN_10c);
else if (D) next = GOT_30c; endmodule
else if (N) next = GOT_25c;
else next = GOT_20c;

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 28

 Simulation of Moore Vender

idle got5c got20c rtn15 idle

State got15c got45c rtn5

Output 10¢ 5¢

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 29

 FSM Output Glitching
 FSM state bits may not transition at precisely the same
time
 Combinational logic for outputs may contain hazards
 Result: your FSM outputs may glitch!
...causing the DC
during this state ...the state registers may output to glitch
transition... transtion like this... like this!

got10c 0010 got10c 0

D=1 0110 got30c 1 glitch

got20c 0100 got20c 0

assign DC = (state == GOT_30c || state == GOT_35c ||

state == GOT_40c || state == GOT_45c ||
state == GOT_50c);

If the soda dispenser is glitch-sensitive, your customers can get a 20-cent soda!

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 30

 Registered FSM Outputs are
Glitch-Free
Output D Output Q
registered
Comb. outputs
Registers
Logic CLK

next
Next- state
inputs State D State Q
n
Comb. Registers
Logic CLK
n

present state S

 Move output generation reg DC,DN,DD;

into the sequential // Sequential always block for state assignment

always block
always @ (posedge clk or negedge reset) begin
if (!reset) state <= IDLE;
else if (clk) state <= next;
 Calculate outputs based
on next state
DC <= (next == GOT_30c || next == GOT_35c ||
next == GOT_40c || next == GOT_45c ||
next == GOT_50c);
 Delays outputs by one DN <= (next == RETURN_5c);

clock cycle. Problematic

DD <= (next == RETURN_20c || next == RETURN_15c ||
next == RETURN_10c);
in some application. end

6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 31

 Where should CLK come from?
• Option 1: external crystal
– Stable, known frequency, typically 50% duty cycle
• Option 2: internal signals
– Option 2A: output of combinational logic

• No! If inputs to logic change, output may make several

transitions before settling to final value  several rising edges,
not just one! Hard to design away output glitches…
– Option 2B: output of a register
• Okay, but timing of CLK2 won’t line up with CLK1

D Q CLK2

CLK1 CLK1
6.111 Fall 2017 Lecture 6 32