This course is part of the FPGA Design for Embedded Systems Specialization

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Timothy Scherr

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Part of the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree
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FPGA Design for Embedded Systems SpecializationUniversity of Colorado Boulder

About this Course

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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.

Flexible deadlines

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

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Course 1 of 4 in the

FPGA Design for Embedded Systems Specialization

Intermediate Level

Approx. 18 hours to complete

English

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Skills you will gain

Primality Test
Verilog
Digital Design
Static Timing Analysis

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Course 1 of 4 in the

FPGA Design for Embedded Systems Specialization

Intermediate Level

Approx. 18 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.55/5 (275 Ratings)

Timothy Scherr

Senior Instructor and Professor of Engineering Practice

Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering

83,609 Learners

5 Courses

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

Start working towards your Master's degree

This course is part of the 100% online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted to the full program, your courses count towards your degree learning.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating92%(4,113 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

5 hours to complete

What's this programmable logic stuff anyway? History and Architecture

What's this programmable logic stuff anyway? In Module 1 you learn about the history and architecture of programmable logic devices including Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). You will learn how to describe the difference between an FPGA, a CPLD, an ASSP, and an ASIC, recite the historical development of programmable logic devices; and design logic circuits using LUTs. Examples will include designs of digital adders and multipliers in FPGAs.

5 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 46 min), 5 readings, 2 quizzes

9 videos

Course Introduction1mCourse Overview6m1. Welcome to the world of programmable logic and FPGA design1m2. A Brief History of Programmable Logic9m3. CPLD Architecture5m4. LUTs and FPGA Architecture8m5. LUTs for Logic Design2m6. Designing Adders6m7. Designing Multipliers3m

5 readings

About This Course10mHardware Requirements10mIntroduction to FPGA Design for Embedded Systems Assessment Strategy10mWeek 1 Suggested Readings1h 20mWeek 2 Assignment Instructions and Files10m

1 practice exercise

Mission 002: Week 1 Quiz30m

Week2

Week 2

4 hours to complete

FPGA Design Tool Flow; An Example Design

In Module 2 you will install and use sophisticated FPGA design tools to create an example design. You will learn the steps in the standard FPGA design flow, how to use Intel Altera’s Quartus Prime Development Suite to create a pipelined multiplier, and how to verify the integrity of the design using the RTL Viewer and by simulation using ModelSim. Using the TimeQuest timing analyzer, you will analyze the timing of your design to achieve timing closure.

4 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 118 min), 2 readings, 3 quizzes

10 videos

1. The FPGA Design Flow4m3. Installing Quartus Prime2m4. Introducing Quartus Prime11m5. Create a design project in Quartus Prime7m6. Create a design in Quartus Prime13m7. Compile a Design17m8. View the RTL16m9. Timing Analysis with Time Quest I9m10. Timing Analysis with Time Quest II16m11. Simulate a design with ModelSim17m

2 readings

Week 2 Suggested Readings20mWeek 2 Required Reading and File Installation5m

2 practice exercises

Mission 003 : Practice Opportunity30mMission 005: Week 2 Quiz30m

Week3

Week 3

4 hours to complete

FPGA Architectures: SRAM, FLASH, and Anti-fuse

FPGAs are programmable, and the program resides in a memory which determines how the logic and routing in the device is configured. In Module 3 you will learn the pros and cons of FLASH-based, SRAM-based, and Anti-Fuse based FPGAs. A survey of modern FPGA architectures will give you the tools to determine which type of FPGA is the best fit for a design. Architectures will be explored from the basic core logic cell up to consideration of large Intellectual Property (IP) blocks that are available on many FPGAs.

4 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 80 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

Week4

Week 4

6 hours to complete

Programmable logic design using schematic entry design tools

In module 4 you will extend and enhance your design from module 2, completing the design by adding IP blocks, implementing pin assignments and creating a programming file for the FPGA. One outcome will be improved design productivity, by use of design techniques like pipelining, and by the use of system design tools like Qsys, the system design tool in Quartus Prime. You will complete a Qsys system design by creating a NIOS II softcore processor design, which quickly gives you the powerful ability to customize a processor to meet your specific needs.

6 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 180 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes

10 videos

1. FPGA Design Expertise5m2. Advanced Schematic Entry for FPGA Design- Drawing and Hierarchy26m3. Improving Productivity with IP Blocks25m4. Improving Timing with Pipelining18m5. FPGA IO: Getting In and Getting Out8m6. Pin Assignments: Making them Spot On!20m7. Programming the FPGA10m8. Becoming one with Q: Qsys System Design20m9.a Becoming one with Q Part II: Qsys System Design Finishing Touches25m9.b Becoming one with Q Part III: Qsys System Design Finishing Touches19m

1 reading

Week 4 Suggested Readings1h 10m

1 practice exercise

Mission 008: Week 4 Quiz30m

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TOP REVIEWS FROM INTRODUCTION TO FPGA DESIGN FOR EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

by SMMay 4, 2020

The course was exceptional with very structured and organized way of delivering content to the students. A must do course for all FPGA beginner's.

by KPNov 15, 2018

It had been quiet a knowledgeable course with the best aiding CAD tools and elobarate walk-through to work with it. Definitely a good starter into world of FPGA design.

by GFJun 28, 2018

I really enjoyed this course. The instructor is by far the best I have encountered on any on-line (or classroom) course. I'm now waiting for the rest of the specialisation.

by MHApr 28, 2018

Must take course to master the FPGA EDA Tools skills. Excellent examples,with great elaboration. Thank you so much coursera for such a nice course.

View all reviews

About the FPGA Design for Embedded Systems Specialization

The objective of this course is to acquire proficiency with Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA)s for the purpose of creating prototypes or products for a variety of applications. Although FPGA design can be a complex topic, we will introduce it so that, with a little bit of effort, the basic concepts will be easily learned, while also providing a challenge for the more experienced designer. We will explore complexities, capabilities and trends of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) and Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLD). Conception, design, implementation, and debugging skills will be practiced. We will learn specifics around embedded IP and processor cores, including tradeoffs between implementing versus acquiring IP. Projects will involve the latest software and FPGA development tools and hardware platforms to help develop a broad perspective of the capabilities of various Programmable SoC solutions. Topics include:

Verilog, VHDL, and RTL design for FPGA and CPLD architectures FPGA development tools flow: specify, synthesize, simulate, compile, program and debug Configurable embedded processors and embedded software Use of soft-core and hard-core processors and OS options FPGA System engineering, software-hardware integration, and testing IP development and incorporating 3rd-party IP The capstone course will give the learner the opportunity to practice and implement the concepts covered by building FPGA systems based on low cost evaluation boards.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

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Introduction to FPGA Design for Embedded Systems

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