Design and application of reconfigurable circuits and systems

Open Acces

Can my chip behave like my brain?

Many decades ago, Carver Mead established the foundations of neuromorphic systems. Neuromorphic systems are analog circuits that emulate biology. These circuits utilize subthreshold dynamics of CMOS transistors to mimic the behavior of neurons. The objective is to not only simulate the human brain, but also to build useful applications using these bio-inspired circuits for ultra low power speech processing, image processing, and robotics. This can be achieved using reconfigurable hardware, like field programmable analog arrays (FPAAs), which enable configuring different applications on a cross platform system. As digital systems saturate in terms of power efficiency, this alternate approach has the potential to improve computational efficiency by approximately eight orders of magnitude. These systems, which include analog, digital, and neuromorphic elements combine to result in a very powerful reconfigurable processing machine.Ph.D

Constructivist Multi-Access Lab Approach in Teaching FPGA Systems Design with LabVIEW

Embedded systems play vital role in modern applications [1]. They can be found in autos, washing machines, electrical appliances and even in toys. FPGAs are the most recent computing technology that is used in embedded systems. There is an increasing demand on FPGA based embedded systems, in particular, for applications that require rapid time responses. Engineering education curricula needs to respond to the increasing industrial demand of using FPGAs by introducing new syllabus for teaching and learning this subject. This paper describes the development of new course material for teaching FPGA-based embedded systems design by using ‘G’ Programming Language of LabVIEW. A general overview of FPGA role in engineering education is provided. A survey of available Hardware Programming Languages for FPGAs is presented. A survey about LabVIEW utilization in engineering education is investigated; this is followed by a motivation section of why to use LabVIEW graphical programming in teaching and its capabilities. Then, a section of choosing a suitable kit for the course is laid down. Later, constructivist closed-loop model the FPGA course has been proposed in accordance with [2- 4; 80,86,89,92]. The paper is proposing a pedagogical framework for FPGA teaching; pedagogical evaluation will be conducted in future studies. The complete study has been done at the Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Aleppo University

Experiential Learning in Computer Engineering using Medium Complexity Logic Design Circuits

Abstract- One of the main tracks of research is about Low-cost computing devices in engineering educations. This track face the problem that conventual methods are either too trivial demonstrative educational examples, or too abstracted that it hides away the necessary details students should learn, or too complex industry grade demonstrations. This research targets to utilize lost cost computing devices, and produce medium complexity educational component using analog to digital, digital to analogy circuits integrated with Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) devices. A medium level complexity example is illustrated in this paper using Analog to Digital and Digital to Analog converter board attached to FPGA development board. A comparison between conventional methods and proposed methods is also presented showing advantages of FPGA based logic design implementations.A medium level complexity example is illustrated in this paper using Analog to Digital and Digital to Analog converter board attached to FPGA development board. A comparison between conventional methods and proposed methods is also presented showing advantages of FPGA based logic design implementations