2. Generic Map

2.1 Generic Map

A generic map is the process of associating a generic value in an entity with a value in the architecture. Generics are parameters used to configure a component.

Some important points:

• Generic: A parameter to change the characteristics of an entity.
• Generic Map: Sets the value of the generic during instantiation.
• Default Value: Used if a value is not explicitly set.

2.2 Generic Map Example

entity Counter is
  generic (
    WIDTH: positive := 8;
    ENABLED: boolean := true
  );
  port (
    clk: in std_logic;
    reset: in std_logic;
    count: out std_logic_vector(WIDTH-1 downto 0)
  );
end entity;

architecture RTL of MyDesign is
  signal my_counter_output: std_logic_vector(7 downto 0);
begin
  my_counter_inst: Counter
    generic map (
      WIDTH => 8,
      ENABLED => true
    )
    port map (
      clk => system_clock,
      reset => reset_signal,
      count => my_counter_output
    );
end architecture;