EE 417/CMPEN 417 (was EE/CSE 478) – Digital Design Using Field Programmable Devices

Designation:

Senior/Grad-level technical elective for Electrical Engineering students

Catalog Data:

Field programmable device architecture and technologies; rapid prototyping using top down design techniques; quick response systems. Prerequisite: CMPEN 331/CSE 331 .

Prerequisites by topic:

1. Understanding of basic digital logic circuits.
2. Understanding of basic computer architecture.
3. Understanding of basic programming concept.
4. Understanding of basic circuit analysis.
5. Understanding of basic test equipment (logic/oscilloscope, function generator, power supply).

Course Objectives:

This course provides the students with fundamental FPGA chip knowledge and its application to rapid digital system implementation using top down design in VHDL. Through lectures and laboratory assignments, students are provided learning experiences that enable them to accomplish the program outcomes as listed below.

Topics:

1. Overview of ASIC technology and FPGA (5 classes)
2. Programmable logic circuits and rapid prototyping (5 classes)
3. CAD tools and design flow (5 classes)
4. VHDL (5 classes)
5. FPGA logic cells (4 classes)
6. FPGA I/O cells (4 classes)
7. FPGA interconnects (4 classes)
8. Logic synthesis (4 classes)
9. Simulation (3 classes)
10. Test (3 classes)

Class/laboratory schedule:

Three 50-minute lectures and 2-hour laboratory homework per week.

Computer Usage:

1. Extensive CAD tool use: Design Entry, Simulation, Synthesize, Implementation, Verification, FPGA Chip Programming, and FPGA board I/O Controlling.
2. Homework design projects involving formal technical reports require the use of word processing and graphics software for their presentation.

Laboratory projects and assignments:

1. Seven design projects as homework assignments are required for the course.
2. Each student team is assigned with take-home FPGA board, PC parallel port cable, and a power supply unit.
3. Design and debugging can be done inside or outside of the laboratory but the project demonstrations must be in the laboratory. Laboratory access is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
4. Top-down and modular design methodology, systematic debugging, working in teams, and technical writing skills are emphasized for the design projects demonstrated in the laboratory.
5. Laboratory demonstration involves the use of basic test equipment (digital logic/oscilloscope, function generator, power supply) and a personal computer that are part of each laboratory workstation.

Contribution to meeting the professional component:

This course provides a design emphasis in the area of digital, computer, and electronic circuits. It is designed for the senior-level system designing. Topics pertaining to economics and time-to-market analysis are considered in the context of electronic and computer product development.

Relationship to program outcome:

As primary outcomes students:

1. Design the electronic/logic circuits that form the basic building blocks of a computer system.
2. Demonstrate basic laboratory skills, including the use of standard laboratory equipment.
3. Design, implement, verify and evaluate the operation of digital system.
4. Demonstrate independent learning by using unfamiliar computer systems and software tools to solve technical problems.
5. Interpret the specifications of general and special purpose programming language, and use these languages to design computer programs that are correct and efficient.

As secondary outcomes students:

1. Apply the principles of electricity, magnetism and modern physics to design and analysis of circuit, systems, and devices.
2. Design the architecture and organization of the basic components of a computer system.
3. Develop algorithms and data structures from software specifications.
4. Develop computer code.
5. Analyze algorithms or computer code for correctness.
6. Use probabilistic and statistical methods to evaluate the performance of software and/or hardware system.
7. Write clear and effective technical prose for a technical audience.
8. Be able to discuss major trends in industry and current research activities within the discipline.