Rapid Prototyping for Embedded System Applications Via High Level Development Tools

该项目正在开发一种新的独特的教科书补充，使本科生能够设计、验证和综合复杂的数字设计，只需最少的硬件描述语言(HDL)知识。该教科书附录以及附带的交互式matlab软件，重点介绍了如何使用Xilinx的高级、兼容PCmatLab/Simulink的XSG 6.2工具对现场可编程门阵列(FPGA)设计进行快速原型制作。Xilinx的斯巴达III 90 nm FPGA技术作为主要的合成平台。这本教科书附录的目标是信号处理、通信、控制、低功率电子、机器人和生物传感器中的应用程序和算法。虽然使用最小数学(例如描述性图片)来解释算法，但重点放在可选的算法实现、特定于应用的问题和权衡上。正在开发便于检查替代实现的MatLab图形用户界面。在上述每个领域中，都有特殊的核心例子贯穿于整个附录中，以激励、发展和说明所有概念。正在包括全面的例子，以说明如何将概念结合在一起来合成复杂的系统(例如，医学图像增强、无线电接收器、CVD炉/机器人控制、生物传感器线性化)。这些例子是为了反映尖端应用而选择的，它们代表了另一个主要的教学贡献。该团队正在与一名工程教育评估专家合作评估这些材料，几所主要大学的教职员工正在就这些材料提供反馈。传播计划包括期刊和会议论文，一家主流出版商表示有兴趣将完成的材料以平装书的形式出版。

This project is developing a new unique textbook supplement that will enable undergraduate students to design, validate, and synthesize complex digital designs with minimal knowledge of Hardware Description Languages (HDL). The textbook supplement, with accompanying interactive MATLAB software, focuses on the use of Xilinx' high-level, PCMATLAB/Simulink compatible XSG 6.2 tool for rapid prototyping of Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) designs. Xilinx's Spartan III 90 nm FPGA technology serves as the main synthesis platform. The textbook supplement targets applications and algorithms in signal processing, communications, controls, low power electronics, robotics, and biosensors. While algorithms are explained using minimal mathematics (e.g. descriptive pictures), focus is placed on alternative algorithm implementations, application-specific issues, and tradeoffs. MATLAB GUIs that facilitate the examination of alternative implementations are being developed. Special core examples, in each of the above areas, are carried throughout the supplement to motivate, develop, and illustrate all concepts. Comprehensive examples to illustrate how concepts can be brought together to synthesize complex systems (e.g. medical image enhancement, radio receiver, CVD furnace/robot control, biosensor linearization) are being included. These examples, selected to reflect cutting-edge applications, represent another central pedagogical contribution. The team is working with an engineering education assessment specialist to evaluate the material and faculty at several major universities are providing feedback on the material. Dissemination plans include journal and conference papers and a mainstream publisher has expressed interest in publishing the completed material as a paperback book.