FPGA Capstone: Building FPGA Projects from Coursera

This course will give you hands-on FPGA design experience that uses all the concepts and skills you have developed up to now. You will need to purchase a DE10-Lite development kit. You will setup and test the MAX10 DE10-Lite board using the FPGA design tool Quartus Prime and the System Builder.

You will:

Design and test a Binary Coded Decimal Adder.

Design and test a PWM Circuit, with verification by simulation.

Design and test an ADC circuit, using Quartus Prime built-in tools to verify your circuit design.

Create hardware for the NIOS II soft processor, including many interfaces, using Qsys (Platform Designer). Instantiate this design into a top-level DE10-Lite HDL file.

Compile your completed hardware using Quartus Prime.

Enhance and test a working design, using most aspects of the Quartus Prime Design Flow and the NIOS II Software Build Tools (SBT) for Eclipse.

Create software for the NIOS II soft processor, including many interfaces, using Qsys (Platform Designer) and the SBT.

Compile your completed software using the SBT.

Use Quartus Prime to program both the FPGA hardware configuration and software code in you DE10-Lite development kit.

Record all your observations in a lab notebook pdf.

Submit your project files and lab notebook for grading.

This course consists of 4 modules, approximately 1 per week for 4 weeks. Each module will include an hour or less of video lectures, plus reading assignments, discussion prompts, and project assignment that involves creating hardware and/or software in the FPGA.

What's inside

Syllabus

Hands on: Altera MAX10 Hardware Setup

In this module you will begin your hands-on exploration of FPGA design by setting up a target board, the DE10-Lite based on the MAX10 Intel Altera FPGA. In this module you will  Setup and test the MAX10 board using the FPGA design tool Quartus Prime and the System Builder.  Design and test a Binary Coded Decimal Adder Record all your observations in a lab notebook pdf.  Submit your project files and lab notebook for grading. Completing this module will help prepare you for the work to be done in the modules that follow.

Develop a Mixed Signal System

The goal of this module is to develop a mixed-signal system. You will construct hardware that uses the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) inputs and Pulse Width Modulate (PWM) outputs to make a voltage measuring instrument. In this module you will  Create a working design, using most aspects of the Quartus Prime Design Flow.  Design and test a PWM Circuit, with verification by simulation.  Design and test an ADC circuit, using Quartus Prime built-in tools to verify your circuit design.  Record all your observations in a lab notebook pdf.  Submit your project files and lab notebook for grading. Completing this module will help prepare you for the work to be done in the modules that follow.

Create a System on a Chip with NIOS II

The goal of this module is to develop the hardware for a System on a Chip (SoC). You will construct hardware that creates a NIOS II soft processor along with several interfaces to devices on the DE10-Lite development kit. In this module you will  Create a working design, using most aspects of the Quartus Prime Design Flow.  Create hardware for the NIOS II soft processor, including many interfaces, using Qsys (Platform Builder). Instantiate this design into a top-level DE10-Lite HDL file.  Compile your completed hardware using Quartus Prime.  Record all your observations in a lab notebook.  Submit your project files and lab notebook for grading. Completing this module will provide a platform for the work to be done in the module that follows.

Software for a System on a Chip

The goal of this module is to develop the software for a System on a Chip (SoC). You will build software for a NIOS II soft processor you built in Module 3, using several interfaces to devices on the DE10-Lite development kit as well. In this module you will  Enhance and test a working design, using most aspects of the Quartus Prime Design Flow and the NIOS II Software Build Tools (SBT) for Eclipse.  Create software for the NIOS II soft processor, including many interfaces, using Qsys (Platform Builder) and the SBT.  Compile your completed software using the SBT.  Use Quartus Prime to program both the FPGA hardware configuration and software code in you DE10-Lite development kit. You will then test your new embedded system.  Record all your observations in a lab notebook pdf.  Submit your project files and lab notebook for grading. Completing this module will finish your work for this course.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops engineering skills via hands-on design experience, leading to a strong foundation for beginners

Provides opportunities for learners to enhance and test their working designs, fostering professional growth

Examines industry-standard practices and tools, preparing learners for real-world applications

Taught by Timothy Scherr, an experienced instructor in FPGA design

Requires purchase of a DE10-Lite development kit, which may pose a financial barrier for some learners

Focuses on Altera MAX10 hardware, which may limit its relevance to learners working with other FPGA technologies

Reviews summary

Well-received fpga course

Learners say this FPGA Capstone course is well received, with engaging practical tasks that apply knowledge learned in previous courses. Though some issues with the grading system and auto grader feedback were mentioned, learners largely enjoyed the course and found it valuable.

Course includes hands-on assignments that reinforce learning.

"Excellent integration of all the knowledge aquired in the previous courses."

"Requires knowledge of FPGA design flow (make sure to take 3 courses before this one), great practical tasks that complete the whole specialization."

Course effectively applies concepts from prior courses in the specialization.

"Excellent integration of all the knowledge aquired in the previous courses."

Course materials are not well-suited for Linux operating systems.

"if it is at all possible, use Microsoft Windows rather than Linux."

Required hardware (DE10-Lite) has become more expensive.

"The DE10-Lite is getting expensive."

Course lacks support for questions and exercises.

"In general a good course structure and content. It lacks support on question and exercises."

Feedback from the auto grader can be limited.

"the auto grader for assignments can be nonsensical and provide very limited feedback as to what you did wrong and how you can improve your grade (or learn from your mistakes)."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in FPGA Capstone: Building FPGA Projects with these activities:

Review Integrated Circuit (IC) Design

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This course builds upon the basics of IC design. You will need to review the basics before taking this course to ensure your success

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Review the basics of MOS transistors and their behavior
Review the different types of ICs and their applications
Review the basic steps involved in IC design

Read 'Digital Integrated Circuits: A Design Perspective' by Ken Martin

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of digital IC design. Reading this book will help you to better understand the concepts covered in this course

View Digital Integrated Circuit Design (The ^AOxford... on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly
Take notes on the key concepts
Work through the practice problems

Compile your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams

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This course will build upon concepts from previous courses and you will need to refer back to materials from those courses. Compiling your notes and materials will make it easier to review them

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Gather your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams from previous courses
Organize the materials by topic
Store the materials in a safe place where you can easily access them

Four other activities

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Follow tutorials on FPGA design

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This course involves using FPGAs. You will need to familiarize yourself with FPGAs before taking this course by following tutorials

Browse courses on FPGA

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Find tutorials on FPGA design online or in textbooks
Follow the tutorials step-by-step
Build the projects described in the tutorials

Practice designing digital circuits

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This course requires you to be able to design digital circuits. You can practice this skill by completing practice problems

Browse courses on Digital Logic

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Find practice problems online or in textbooks
Solve the problems on your own
Check your answers against the solutions

Create a blog or website about FPGA design

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This course will help you to develop your skills in FPGA design. You can share your knowledge with others by creating a blog or website about FPGA design

Browse courses on FPGA

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Choose a topic for your blog or website
Write articles or create videos about FPGA design
Promote your blog or website on social media

Develop a new FPGA design project

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This course will help you to develop your skills in FPGA design. You can apply your skills by developing a new FPGA design project

Browse courses on FPGA

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Brainstorm ideas for a new FPGA design project
Develop a plan for your project
Implement your project
Test and debug your project
Document your project

Career center

Learners who complete FPGA Capstone: Building FPGA Projects will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

FPGA Engineer

An FPGA Engineer designs and develops Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), which are semiconductor devices that can be programmed to perform a variety of functions. This course, FPGA Capstone: Building FPGA Projects, provides hands-on FPGA design experience that uses important concepts and skills that an FPGA Engineer should know, and will help build a solid foundation for a career in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for FPGA Engineer

Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer Hardware Engineers design, develop, and test computer hardware components, such as motherboards, processors, and memory. This course provides a foundation in FPGA design, which is used in many modern computer hardware components. Taking this course will help build a foundation for a successful career in Computer Hardware Engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Hardware Engineer

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design, develop, and test electrical systems and components. This course provides a foundation in FPGA design, which is used in many modern electrical systems and components. Taking this course will help build a foundation for a successful career in Electrical Engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and test software applications. This course provides a foundation in FPGA design, which is used in many modern software applications. Taking this course will help build a foundation for a successful career in Software Engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Electronics Engineer

Electronics Engineers design, develop, and test electronic devices and systems. This course provides a foundation in FPGA design, which is used in many modern electronic devices and systems. Taking this course will help build a foundation for a successful career in Electronics Engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electronics Engineer

Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers design, develop, and test complex systems, such as computer systems, communication systems, and control systems. This course provides a foundation in FPGA design, which is used in many modern systems. Taking this course will help build a foundation for a successful career in Systems Engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists design, develop, and test computer software and systems. This course provides a foundation in FPGA design, which is used in many modern computer software and systems. Taking this course will help build a foundation for a successful career in Computer Science.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist

Telecommunications Engineer

Telecommunications Engineers design, develop, and test telecommunications systems, such as telephone networks, data networks, and wireless networks. This course provides a foundation in FPGA design, which is used in many modern telecommunications systems. Taking this course may be useful for a career in Telecommunications Engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Telecommunications Engineer

Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace Engineers design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, and other aerospace systems. This course provides a foundation in FPGA design, which is used in many modern aerospace systems. Taking this course may be useful for a career in Aerospace Engineering.

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Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers design, develop, and test robots and other automated systems. This course provides a foundation in FPGA design, which is used in many modern robots and other automated systems. Taking this course may be useful for a career in Robotics Engineering.

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Automotive Engineer

Automotive Engineers design, develop, and test automobiles and other vehicles. This course provides a foundation in FPGA design, which is used in many modern automobiles and other vehicles. Taking this course may be useful for a career in Automotive Engineering.

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Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineers design, develop, and test medical devices and systems. This course provides a foundation in FPGA design, which is used in many modern medical devices and systems. Taking this course may be useful for a career in Biomedical Engineering.

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Mechatronic Engineer

Mechatronic Engineers design, develop, and test systems that combine mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. This course provides a foundation in FPGA design, which is used in many modern mechatronic systems. Taking this course may be useful for a career in Mechatronic Engineering.

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Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineers design, develop, and test chemical processes and plants. This course provides a foundation in FPGA design, which is used in many modern chemical processes and plants. Taking this course may be useful for a career in Chemical Engineering.

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Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design, develop, and test civil infrastructure, such as bridges, buildings, and roads. This course provides a foundation in FPGA design, which is used in many modern civil infrastructure projects. Taking this course may be useful for a career in Civil Engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer