Field Programmable Logic in Education: a Case Study

This paper presents a new undergraduate laboratory oriented to digital circuit design training based on Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). The target of the course has been to introduce concepts of ASIC design methodology using a low cost alternative and a design-oriented, hands-on learning approach. FPGAs have permitted us to implement a massive VLSI-like design course, not only for future specialists but also for all Electrical Engineering and Computer Science students. Nowadays, about 450 students in their third year attend the laboratory at the School of Telecommunications of Madrid, Spain.