Verilog problems / Combinational Design
What you must build
Convert two separate BCD digits (tens and units) into their actual binary decimal value, 0-99.
Engineers use “2-Digit BCD to Binary Converter” as a building block in combinational design. Interviewers ask for the same ports and the same corner cases this judge covers. Completing it in the browser is the same skill as writing synthesizable RTL at work, minus the EDA license.
binary = tens*10 + units. It's tempting to just concatenate the two nibbles ({tens,units}), but that reproduces the encoded bit pattern, not the actual decimal value it represents.Port contract
The judge instantiates exactly these ports. Extra ports or a different module name fail to elaborate.
| Name | Dir | Width | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| tens | input | 4 | Tens BCD digit, 0-9 |
| units | input | 4 | Units BCD digit, 0-9 |
| binary | output | 7 | Binary value, 0-99 |
How to approach this kata
This is an introductory kata. Prefer a clear continuous assignment or a small combinational always block. Name the module top_module and keep the port list identical to the table — the hidden testbench instantiates that name.
Hidden tests instantiate top_module, drive the ports, and compare every sample against a golden model. They do not grade coding style. They do grade X/Z, off-by-one counters, and ignoring enables. Sign in only when you want the run saved on the leaderboard — the specification below is public.
Starter shape
Copy this skeleton into the editor (or press Reset starter). Fill the body; do not rename the module.
module top_module( input [3:0] tens, input [3:0] units, output [6:0] binary ); // Your code here — binary = tens*10 + units. endmodule
Why this shows up in interviews
2-Digit BCD to Binary Converter sits under Combinational Design (combinational, arithmetic). Concept: BCD digits are already decimal — the tens digit just needs to be scaled and added: binary = tens*10 + units . It's tempting to just concatenate the two nibbles ( {tens,units} ), but that reproduces the encoded bit pattern, not the actual decimal value it represents.
A passing solution is synthesizable intent: no delays in the DUT, no initial blocks inside top_module, and no reference to testbench tasks. Use blocking assignments only in combinational always blocks; use non-blocking for registers clocked by clk.
Related problems
- 2-to-1 Multiplexer — Select between two 1-bit inputs using sel. When sel=0 output a; when sel=1 output b.
- 1-Bit Full Adder — Compute sum and carry-out for a + b + cin.
- 4-to-1 Multiplexer — Select one of four 1-bit inputs using a 2-bit sel. sel=00→in0, 01→in1, 10→in2, 11→in3.
- 4-to-2 Priority Encoder — Output the index of the highest-priority (MSB-most) set bit in a 4-bit input, plus a valid flag when any bit is set.
FAQ
What does this problem require?
What does the 2-Digit BCD to Binary Converter problem ask for? Convert two separate BCD digits (tens and units) into their actual binary decimal value, 0-99. Implement it as Verilog module top_module with the listed ports.
Combinational or sequential?
Is 2-Digit BCD to Binary Converter combinational or sequential? Tags: combinational, arithmetic. Follow the clock/reset ports if they appear in the table; if there is no clock, use continuous assignment or combinational always @(*).
How does the auto-grader work?
How is 2-Digit BCD to Binary Converter graded? A hidden SystemVerilog/Verilog testbench in the EcrioniX judge simulates your module in the browser. You pass when every directed vector matches, including the waveform contract shown on this page.