FPGA Capstone: Building FPGA Projects (Coursera)

FPGA Capstone: Building FPGA Projects (Coursera)

This course will give you hands-on FPGA design experience that uses all the concepts and skills you have developed up to now. You will need to purchase a DE10-Lite development kit. You will setup and test the MAX10 DE10-Lite board using the FPGA design tool Quartus Prime and the System Builder.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

You will:

  • Design and test a Binary Coded Decimal Adder.
  • Design and test a PWM Circuit, with verification by simulation.
  • Design and test an ADC circuit, using Quartus Prime built-in tools to verify your circuit design.
  • Create hardware for the NIOS II soft processor, including many interfaces, using Qsys (Platform Designer). Instantiate this design into a top-level DE10-Lite HDL file.
  • Compile your completed hardware using Quartus Prime.
  • Enhance and test a working design, using most aspects of the Quartus Prime Design Flow and the NIOS II Software Build Tools (SBT) for Eclipse.
  • Create software for the NIOS II soft processor, including many interfaces, using Qsys (Platform Designer) and the SBT.
  • Compile your completed software using the SBT.
  • Use Quartus Prime to program both the FPGA hardware configuration and software code in you DE10-Lite development kit.

Record all your observations in a lab notebook pdf.
Submit your project files and lab notebook for grading.
This course consists of 4 modules, approximately 1 per week for 4 weeks. Each module will include an hour or less of video lectures, plus reading assignments, discussion prompts, and project assignment that involves creating hardware and/or software in the FPGA.
Course 3 of 3 in the FPGA Design for Embedded Systems Specialization.

What You Will Learn

  • Create a working FPGA design using Quartus Prime and run it on an evaluation board
  • Understand and practice all aspects of FPGA development, including conception, design, implementation, and debugging.
  • Create in the FPGA a working system on a chip design with Nios II soft processor, RAM and FLASH memory, and several peripherals.
  • Become familiar with the FGPA development flow, particularly in the case of a SoC with software development flow included.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Hands on: Altera MAX10 Hardware Setup
In this module you will begin your hands-on exploration of FPGA design by setting up a target board, the DE10-Lite based on the MAX10 Intel Altera FPGA. In this module you will:

  • Setup and test the MAX10 board using the FPGA design tool Quartus Prime and the System Builder. - Design and test a Binary Coded Decimal Adder.
  • Record all your observations in a lab notebook pdf.
  • Submit your project files and lab notebook for grading. Completing this module will help prepare you for the work to be done in the modules that follow.

WEEK 2
Develop a Mixed Signal System
The goal of this module is to develop a mixed-signal system. You will construct hardware that uses the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) inputs and Pulse Width Modulate (PWM) outputs to make a voltage measuring instrument. In this module you will:

  • Create a working design, using most aspects of the Quartus Prime Design Flow. Design and test a PWM Circuit, with verification by simulation.
  • Design and test an ADC circuit, using Quartus Prime built-in tools to verify your circuit design. - Record all your observations in a lab notebook pdf.
  • Submit your project files and lab notebook for grading. Completing this module will help prepare you for the work to be done in the modules that follow.

WEEK 3
Create a System on a Chip with NIOS II
The goal of this module is to develop the hardware for a System on a Chip (SoC). You will construct hardware that creates a NIOS II soft processor along with several interfaces to devices on the DE10-Lite development kit. In this module you will:

  • Create a working design, using most aspects of the Quartus Prime Design Flow.
  • Create hardware for the NIOS II soft processor, including many interfaces, using Qsys (Platform Builder). Instantiate this design into a top-level DE10-Lite HDL file.
  • Compile your completed hardware using Quartus Prime.
  • Record all your observations in a lab notebook.
  • Submit your project files and lab notebook for grading. Completing this module will provide a platform for the work to be done in the module that follows.

WEEK 4
Software for a System on a Chip
The goal of this module is to develop the software for a System on a Chip (SoC). You will build software for a NIOS II soft processor you built in Module 3, using several interfaces to devices on the DE10-Lite development kit as well. In this module you will

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

The Arduino Platform and C Programming (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

The Arduino Platform and C Programming (Coursera)

The Arduino is an open-source computer hardware/software platform for building digital devices and interactive objects that can sense and control the physical world around them. In this class you will learn how the Arduino platform works in terms of the physical board and libraries and the IDE (integrated development environment). You will also learn about shields, which are smaller boards that plug into the main Arduino board to perform other functions such as sensing light, heat, GPS tracking, or providing a user interface display. The course will also cover programming the Arduino using C code and accessing the pins on the board via the software to control external devices.

Aug 31st 2026
4 Weeks
Excel/VBA for Creative Problem Solving, Part 1 (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Excel/VBA for Creative Problem Solving, Part 1 (Coursera)

Excel/VBA for Creative Problem Solving, Part 1" is aimed at learners who are seeking to augment, expand, optimize, and increase the efficiency of their Excel spreadsheet skills by tapping into the powerful programming, automation, and customization capabilities available with Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).

Aug 24th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Productivity and Systems Development (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

Productivity and Systems Development (Coursera)

This course provides hands-on experience with technology-based productivity tools, as well as foundational knowledge and understanding of system design and development. The course is designed to integrate concepts of hardware, software, and the Internet. This course also provides an overview of data security, data privacy, and ways to increase productivity and efficiency. Students will also investigate technology career paths and some of the various certifications available in the industry.

Aug 31st 2026
3 Weeks
Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software (Coursera) Coursera
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - HKUST

Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software (Coursera)

In this course, you will learn the following essential computer skills for the digital age: major hardware components of a computer system; different types of software on a computer system; photo Editing using GIMP; and word processing applications, including MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint.

Aug 31st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to Computers (Coursera) Coursera
Microsoft

Introduction to Computers (Coursera)

This course has been designed for individuals seeking entry-level positions in IT support. Whether you're a recent graduate, a career changer, or someone looking to kickstart your career in the tech industry, it will provide you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to excel in the field of IT support.

Aug 31st 2026
4 Weeks
Interagir com sistemas operativos (Coursera) Coursera
Google

Interagir com sistemas operativos (Coursera)

Neste curso, através de uma combinação de palestras em vídeo, demonstrações e experiências práticas, vai adquirir conhecimentos acerca dos componentes principais de um sistema operativo e como realizar tarefas críticas, como gerir software e utilizadores e configurar hardware. Vamos terminar com um exemplo de como este conteúdo pode surgir no contexto de uma entrevista.

Aug 31st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Advanced Modeling for Discrete Optimization (Coursera) Coursera
University of Melbourne,The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Advanced Modeling for Discrete Optimization (Coursera)

Optimization is a common form of decision making, and is ubiquitous in our society. Its applications range from solving Sudoku puzzles to arranging seating in a wedding banquet. The same technology can schedule planes and their crews, coordinate the production of steel, and organize the transportation of iron ore from the mines to the ports. Good decisions in manpower and material resources management also allow corporations to improve profit by millions of dollars.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Embedded Hardware and Operating Systems (Coursera) Coursera
EIT Digital

Embedded Hardware and Operating Systems (Coursera)

This course is intended for the Bachelor and Master's students, who like practical programming and making IoTs applications! In this course we will talk about two components of a cyber physical system, namely hardware and operating systems. After completing this course, you will have the knowledge of both hardware components and operating systems. You are able to plan and use embedded operating systems in resource-constraint devices for Internet-of-Things (cyber physical system) applications.

Aug 24th 2026
4 Weeks
Architecting Smart IoT Devices (Coursera) Coursera
EIT Digital

Architecting Smart IoT Devices (Coursera)

This course will teach you how to develop an embedded systems device. In order to reduce the time to market, many pre-made hardware and software components are available today. You'll discover all the available hardware and software components, such as processor families, operating systems, boards and networks. You'll also learn how to actually use and integrate these components.

Aug 24th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Interfacing with the Arduino (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

Interfacing with the Arduino (Coursera)

Arduino senses the environment by receiving inputs from add-on devices such as sensors, and can control the world around it by adjusting lights, motors, and other actuators. In this class you will learn how and when to use the different types of sensors and how to connect them to the Arduino. Since the external world uses continuous or analog signals and the hardware is digital you will learn how these signals are converted back-and-forth and how this must be considered as you program your device. You'll also learn about the use of Arduino-specific shields and the shields software libraries to interface with the real world.

Aug 31st 2026
4 Weeks