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A Re-configurable SoFPGA Architecture: The FPGA Design Learning Tool Abstract

In today’s world of advanced technology, numerous applications are computational intensive. This created an opportunity for the development of new System-on-FPGA (SoFPGA) design techniques to allow easy IP cores re-use and integration under time-to-market pressure. To create the infrastructure for this research to be conducted at the School of Technology, this paper first proposes introducing a senior level “FPGA programmable logic design using VHDL” course, which will be a new addition to the electrical engineering technology program at School of Technology. The paper discusses the goals of this course and relates the goals to industry needs of highly trained FPGA designers. The paper then proposes a re-configurable SoFPGA architecture, which will be based on interconnecting the basic re-configurable SoFPGA building blocks, IP cores (Intellectual Property). The skilled senior students at Electrical Engineering Technology program will be given the opportunity to conduct and participate effectively in the SoFPGA research activities.

1 Introduction

FPGA-based re-programmable logic design became more attractive during the last decade, and the use of FPGA in digital logic design is increasing rapidly. The need for highly qualified FPGA designers is increasing at a fast rate. To respond to the industry needs of FPGA designers, universities are updating their curriculum with courses in FPGA logic design. As a result, the School of Technology at Michigan Technological University is stepping up to this challenge by introducing the FPGA course. The new course will be the second in series of digital logic design, it introduces the fundamental basic concepts of hardware description language (HDL). The course covers the FPGA design flow utilizing XILINX ISE webPACK FPGA design tools integrated with ModelSim for design simulation.

The paper first describes the contents of FPGA logic design course, it also presents how this course can build the infrastructure of qualified senior students to conduct SoFGPA research project at the School of Technology.

2 Course Objectives

Due to increase demand of FPGA designers, the course major objectives are to give the students of Electrical Engineering Technology program the opportunity to learn and experience logic design using FPGA. This will create a pool of informed electrical engineering technologists from which industry can draw their potential staff. This common pool of students will be given the opportunity to conduct research in hardware design and modeling of the basic building blocks of SoFPGA research project. The intention of this course is to give students a real-world experience on FPGA logic design and give them the necessary training with industry widely used design tools, XILINX ISE webPACK and ModelSim simulation tool.

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Alaraje, N., & DeGroat, J., & Amos, S. (2006, June), A Re Configurable Sofpga Architecture: The Fpga Design Learning Tool Paper presented at 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. 10.18260/1-2--891