• Course Title

• Course Description

• Course instructional level

• Course Duration

• Course Images

• Course Coordinator's Profile

• Prerequisites, if any

• Syllabus

• Course Outcomes

Course Title:

Certificate course on System on Chip (SoC) Design

Course Description:

This certificate course offers an in-depth exploration of System-on Chip (SoC) design, focusing on ARM Cortex processors and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) implementation. Participants will gain comprehensive knowledge of essential concepts, design methodologies, and hands-on experience needed to build modern embedded systems. The course is meticulously structured to balance theoretical understanding with practical application, ensuring that participants not only learn the fundamentals but also apply them through real-world projects and labs.

Throughout the course, participants will delve into various aspects of SoC design, including architecture, hardware-software partitioning, and integration of standard IP blocks like processors, memory, and I/O peripherals. Special emphasis is placed on the ARM Cortex processors, which are widely used in embedded systems due to their efficiency and versatility. Additionally, the course covers FPGA implementation, where participants will learn how to configure hardware using FPGA technology, making it a crucial part of the curriculum for those aspiring to work in FPGA-based design.

The course spans 100 to 120 hours, blending theoretical lectures with practical lab sessions and project work. This format ensures participants develop a holistic understanding of SoC design, from the initial architectural phases to the final implementation. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for careers in embedded systems, SoC development, and FPGA-based hardware design, making them well-prepared for roles in both industry and research

Course instructional level:

Intermediate

Course Duration:

6 Months (divided into theoretical lectures, practical labs, and project work)

Course Images

Course coordinator's profile(s):

Prof. Sandeep R Pandey

Prerequisites, if any:

Nil

Syllabus (Course content):

Module 1: Introduction to SoC Design

• Overview of System-on-Chip (SoC) architecture.
• Role of ARM Cortex processors in embedded systems.
• Introduction to FPGA-based SoC design.
• Tools and methodologies for SoC development.

Module 2: ARM Cortex Processor Architecture

• Overview of ARM Cortex-M and Cortex-A series processors.
• Features, pipelines, and instruction sets.
• Memory management and interrupt handling.

Module 3: FPGA Basics and Implementation

• Introduction to Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs).
• FPGA architecture and resources (logic elements, block RAM, DSP blocks).
• Programming FPGA using HDL (Verilog/VHDL).

Module 4: ARM Cortex-M SoC Design on FPGA

• Design flow for implementing ARM Cortex-M SoCs on FPGA.
• Integration of ARM Cortex-M processor with FPGA peripherals.
• AXI bus protocols and IP core integration.

Module 5: Development Tools and Environment

• Overview of development tools: Xilinx Vivado, ARM Keil, GNU Compiler Collection (GCC).
• Simulation and debugging techniques for SoC design.
• Hands-on lab: Setting up development environment.

Module 6: Embedded Software Development

• Introduction to embedded software development for ARM Cortex-M.
• Writing, compiling, and debugging firmware using ARM Keil or GCC.
• Real-time operating systems (RTOS) for ARM Cortex-M SoCs.

Module 7: Advanced Topics in SoC Design

• Interfacing peripherals: UART, SPI, I2C.
• Energy-efficient design techniques for SoCs.
• Case studies: Designing custom SoCs for specific applications.

Module 8: Guided Project Work

• Guided project: Design and implement a small-scale SoC using ARM CortexM on FPGA.
• Project presentation and demonstration.
• Evaluation and feedback.

Lab Sessions:

• All the modules mentioned above are supported with hands-on lab.

Course Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the architecture and components of ARM Cortex processors.
• Design and implement SoCs using ARM Cortex processors on FPGA platforms.
• Utilize industry-standard tools for SoC design, simulation, and verification.
• Develop proficiency in FPGA programming and interfacing with ARM processors.
• Implement practical projects demonstrating SoC design principles and FPGA integration.