June 15, 2014
June 15, 2014
June 18, 2014
Computers in Education
24.1303.1 - 24.1303.16
Use of a CPLD in an Introductory Logic Circuits Course with Software and Hardware UpgradeAbstractThis paper documents our continued efforts to integrate the use of complex programmable logicdevices (CPLD) into our introductory logic circuits course at [University Name]. Althoughprogrammable logic devices (PLDs) have been long introduced in our advanced courses, thewidespread acceptance demands that PLDs be introduced earlier in the electrical and computerengineering curriculum. In the fall semester of 2011, we selected CPLD as the choice of PLDs tobe used in the introductory logic circuits course, because CPLD allows for an experience thatincludes modern design tools and devices, as well as hands-on activities. Our CPLD moduleallows such a device to be used with a classic breadboard. In prior research we found that usingthis module, students can easily identify the CPLD and with modest wiring they can constructcircuits that they feel are both satisfying and engaging.In this paper, the most recent developments, which include both software and hardwareupgrades, along with student feedback, are documented. With the Xilinx XC9536 CPLDs nowobsolete we adopted a newer CPLD, and designed a new logic circuits trainer. The newerXC9536XL CPLDs require 3.3V signals and power, which is not compatible with anycommercially available trainer that we are aware of. Facing this inevitable trend to lower Voltagelogic, we decided to adopt the 3.3V CPLD devices and design our own trainer that provides 3.3Vpower and I/O signal. The artwork for the module and trainer are available under free softwarelicense, for your use.On the software front, we revised our tutorial and we now have our students working with testbench files. Our CAD software was upgraded from Xilinx ISE Version 10.1 to Version 13.2. Inthe past, we specifically chose Xilinx ISE 10.1 32-bit version for its graphical test benchgenerator which is very convenient for students to use when performing simulation.Unfortunately, this feature is absent in the 64-bit version as well as the subsequent versions ofXilinx ISE, including 13.2. On the other hand, version 13.2 is much more stable and bug-free incomparison to version 10.1. In adopting version 13.2, the biggest concern was how studentswould generate the simulation test bench, which involves modifying VHDL codes, since studentsdo not learn to write hardware description language (HDL) in an introductory logic circuitscourse. ISE provides an aid in generating a skeleton which with our revised tutorial, our studentsare able to modify for their own use.New lecture material was developed to help students understand these upgrades includinghistorical context. New lab content was developed to address some concerns from our previousexperience, which include: a) start-up activities to help students master the CAD software betterand earlier in the course; b) incorporating the use of hierarchical design earlier and in moreexperiments. Students’ experience and feedback, instructors’ observations are presentedconcerning both the hardware and software upgrades along with other changes made. In the end,we present future plans.
Yu, Y., & Hill, K. M. (2014, June), Use of a CPLD in an Introductory Logic Circuits Course with Software and Hardware Upgrade Paper presented at 2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Indianapolis, Indiana. 10.18260/1-2--23236
ASEE holds the copyright on this document. It may be read by the public free of charge. Authors may archive their work on personal websites or in institutional repositories with the following citation: © 2014 American Society for Engineering Education. Other scholars may excerpt or quote from these materials with the same citation. When excerpting or quoting from Conference Proceedings, authors should, in addition to noting the ASEE copyright, list all the original authors and their institutions and name the host city of the conference. - Last updated April 1, 2015