Using FPGAs to Simulate and Implement Digital Design Systems in the Classroom

Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) have gained widespread popularity in digital design laboratories. Their flexibility and relatively low cost mak e them ideal pedagogical resources. When FPGAs are used as the primary platform in a digital design laboratory, increased flexibility and topical integration is provided to the instructor. Topics that have traditionally been taug ht in separate, independent laboratory assignments can be bridged together to form a cohesive series of laboratory projects based on a single problem scenario. This paper will present a series of laboratory exercises that center around a model train track with multiple tracks, trains, sensors, and switches.