Introduction to FPGA Design for Embedded Systems

Course Overview

What does this course tell?
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This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5360, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.Programmable Logic has become more and more common as a core technology used to build electronic systems. By integrating soft-core or hardcore processors, these devices have become complete systems on a chip, steadily displacing general purpose processors and ASICs. In particular, high performance systems are now almost always implemented with FPGAs. This course will give you the foundation for FPGA design in Embedded Systems along with practical design skills. You will learn what an FPGA is and how this technology was developed, how to select the best FPGA architecture for a given application, how to use state of the art software tools for FPGA development, and solve critical digital design problems using FPGAs. You use FPGA development tools to complete several example designs, including a custom processor. If you are thinking of a career in Electronics Design or an engineer looking at a career change, this is a great course to enhance your career opportunities. Hardware Requirements: You must have access to computer resources to run the development tools, a PC running either Windows 7, 8, or 10 or a recent Linux OS which must be RHEL 6.5 or CentOS Linux 6.5 or later. Either Linux OS could be run as a virtual machine under Windows 8 or 10. The tools do not run on Apple Mac computers. Whatever the OS, the computer must have at least 8 GB of RAM. Most new laptops will have this, or it may be possible to upgrade the memory.

We consider the value of this course from multiple aspects, and finally summarize it for you from three aspects: personal skills, career development, and further study:
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What skills and knowledge will you acquire during this course?
The student taking Introduction to FPGA Design for Embedded Systems will acquire a range of skills and knowledge. They will learn what an FPGA is and how it was developed, how to select the best FPGA architecture for a given application, and how to use state of the art software tools for FPGA development. They will also gain an understanding of how to solve critical digital design problems using FPGAs. Additionally, the student will gain practical design skills by completing several example designs, including a custom processor. Finally, the student will gain an understanding of the hardware requirements necessary to run the development tools.

How does this course contribute to professional growth?
Taking the course "Introduction to FPGA Design for Embedded Systems" can greatly contribute to one's professional growth. By gaining knowledge and practical skills in FPGA design, individuals can enhance their career opportunities in the field of Electronics Design or even consider a career change.

The course provides a solid foundation in FPGA design for embedded systems, which is a highly sought-after skill in the industry. As programmable logic becomes more prevalent in electronic systems, integrating soft-core or hardcore processors into FPGAs has become a common practice. By understanding FPGA technology and its development, individuals can stay up-to-date with the latest advancements and trends in the field.

Moreover, the course teaches students how to select the best FPGA architecture for a given application. This skill is crucial in designing high-performance systems, as FPGAs are now almost always used in such cases. By learning how to choose the most suitable FPGA architecture, individuals can ensure optimal performance and efficiency in their designs.

The course also focuses on practical design skills and the use of state-of-the-art software tools for FPGA development. By gaining hands-on experience with these tools, individuals can become proficient in solving critical digital design problems using FPGAs. This practical knowledge is highly valuable in the industry, as it allows engineers to effectively design and implement FPGA-based systems.

Throughout the course, students are required to complete several example designs, including a custom processor. This hands-on approach not only reinforces the theoretical concepts learned but also provides individuals with real-world experience in FPGA design. This practical experience can greatly enhance one's professional growth and make them more competitive in the job market.

In terms of hardware requirements, the course emphasizes the need for access to computer resources with specific specifications. This requirement ensures that students have the necessary tools to run the FPGA development software effectively. By working with these tools, individuals can become proficient in their usage, further enhancing their professional growth.

Overall, taking the course "Introduction to FPGA Design for Embedded Systems" can significantly contribute to one's professional growth. By gaining knowledge, practical skills, and hands-on experience in FPGA design, individuals can enhance their career opportunities in Electronics Design or explore new career paths.

Is this course suitable for preparing further education?
Yes, this course is suitable for preparing further education. It provides a comprehensive introduction to FPGA design for embedded systems, and the hardware requirements are clearly outlined. Additionally, the course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.