5-day training course: Using FPGAS in reliable embedded systems
Developers of modern embedded systems have two main implementation options:
- Employ a “commercial off-the-shelf” (COTS) processor.
- Implement their design using a “field-programmable gate array” (FPGA) and a “soft” processor core.
As the cost of FPGAs continues to fall, the opportunity to implement embedded systems using soft processor cores is becoming of increasing interest. Using a practical mixture of informal seminars and “hands on” training sessions, this 5-day course has been designed to give you the key skills required to make effective use of FPGA technology when creating reliable embedded systems.
Where and when will this course be delivered next?
This course will be delivered as follows:
- 15-19 February 2010 in Leicester, UK.
Please contact us to reserve your place.
Course brochure
Two brochures are available:
- “Using FPGAs in reliable embedded systems” - 23-27 Jan 2010 - Malaysia;
- “Using FPGAs in reliable embedded systems” - 15-19 February 2010 - UK.
Price guide
Introductory fees for this module are £500 + VAT per seat (UK), RM 3,500 / seat in Malaysia. Terms and conditions apply for introductory rates (please contact us for details).
Please note that:
- This public course can be taken as a “stand alone” short course or as part of an MSc in Reliable Embedded Systems.
- This course can also be delivered (customised as required) on your company site, on dates of your choosing: please contact us for further details.
Trainer biodata
Dr. Devaraj Ayavoo received the B.Eng. and PhD degrees from University of Leicester, UK, in 2000 and 2006 respectively.
Having worked previously at Altera Corporations, Malaysia, Devaraj joined TTE Systems Ltd in 2006: he is now Technical Manager with the company and is responsible for the development of the RapidiTTy™ family of software development tools. Devaraj also holds the post of Teaching Associate at the University of Leicester.
Zemian Hughes received the M.Eng. degree from University of Leicester, UK, in 2004. He has recently submitted his PhD thesis (in computer architectures for reliable embedded systems) at the University of Leicester.
Zemian joined TTE Systems Ltd in 2009: he is now a Senior System Developer with the company. Zemian also holds the post of Teaching Associate at the University of Leicester.
Pre-requisites
No previous experience with FPGAs or VHDL is required.
Some previous programming experience in a high-level language (such as C, C++ or Java) is assumed at the start of the course. If you have not had this experience, suggestions for background reading can be provided.
Course contents
This course is conducted in two streams:
- During a series of 10 seminars, key techniques required to design reliable embedded processors are considered and discussed.
- During a series of 10 guided exercises, key skills required when using VHDL to configure FPGAs are discussed.
The two streams converge at the end of the module: by this time, participants will have used VHDL to create a complete embedded processor which can be programmed (in C) using standard programming tools.
Learning goals
- To learn the key design requirements for predictable embedded processors;
- To learn about field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technology;
- To learn how to configure FPGAs using VHDL;
- To learn how to design and implement a complete **reliable* embedded prcessor using VHDL;
- To learn how to program the above processor using C.
Methodology
This course is taught through a carefully-planned combination of seminars and practical (laboratory) classes. Problems will be set during seminars and in laboratory sessions. Case studies will be used extensively in the laboratory sessions.
Who should attend
The course is intended for anyone who is interested in working with FPGAs in the field of embedded systems. No previous experience of embedded systems is required, but some previous programming experience will be useful.
Links to the MSc programme in Reliable Embedded Systems
This course provides an starting point for people who are interested in joining the University of Leicester’s MSc programme in Reliable Embedded Systems.