An Academic Approach to FPGA Design Based on a Distance Meter Circuit

Abstract

Digital design learning at Register Transfer (RT) level requires practical and complex examples as learning progresses. FPGAs and development boards offer a suitable platform for the implementation of these designs. However, classroom practice sessions usually last two hours, which does not allow the complexity of the designs be high enough. For this reason, interesting designs that can be made in several sessions are required. In this paper, the construction of a distance measuring system is presented. For this purpose, a distance measurement module based on ultrasound is available, the results are displayed in 7-segment displays on a Nexys4 board. This approach has been applied to three Electronic subjects at the University of Seville. The degree of satisfaction on the part of the students as well as the result of the evaluation of the experience by the teachers involved are shown.