Configurable Chips Meld Software and Hardware

Processors that can be configured by end users promise to combine hardware's speed and efficiency with software's flexibility. Developments in configurable computing increasingly blur the line between hardware and software, a trend that represents a major shift in computing practice. To keep their offerings current and relevant, universities should modify their computer science curricula to better prepare students for this new era. Although hardware design is much more software-oriented now, aspiring computing students still need courses that cover hardware synthesis techniques, codesign methodologies, and module reuse strategies. Students should also experience working in teams. At our institute, we have developed such a new curriculum. By offering several hardware courses at both the elementary and advanced levels, we help students obtain a deeper and broader knowledge of configurable hardware design. Moreover, over the past few years we have invested in the design and construction of several FPGA-based boards for use as teaching platforms. These boards let students gain hands-on experience with technologies they'll use in real-world jobs. For example, using the Labomat board, a three-student team designed and tested a simplified floating-point unit in five three-hour sessions.