Hardware Description Languages for FPGA Design (Coursera)

Hardware Description Languages for FPGA Design (Coursera)

Hardware Description Languages for Logic Design enables students to design circuits using VHDL and Verilog, the most widespread design methods for FPGA Design. It uses natural learning processes to make learning the languages easy. Simple first examples are presented, then language rules and syntax, followed by more complex examples, and then finally use of test bench simulations to verify correctness of the designs.

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

Lecture presentations are reinforced by many programming example problems so that skill in the languages is obtained. After completing this course, each student will have fundamental proficiency in both languages, and more importantly enough knowledge to continue learning and gaining expertise in Verilog and VHDL on their own.
Course 2 of 4 in the FPGA Design for Embedded Systems Specialization

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Basics of VHDL
This module introduces the basics of the VHDL language for logic design. It describes the use of VHDL as a design entry method for logic design in FPGAs and ASICs. To provide context, it shows where VHDL is used in the FPGA design flow. Then a simple example, a 4-bit comparator, is used as a first phrase in the language. VHDL rules and syntax are explained, along with statements, identifiers and keywords. Finally, use of simulation as a means of testing VHDL circuit designs is demonstrated using ModelSim, a simulator software tool. Programming assignments are used to develop skills and reinforce the concepts presented.

WEEK 2
VHDL Logic Design Techniques
In this module use of the VHDL language to perform logic design is explored further. Many examples of combinatorial and synchronous logic circuits are presented and explained, including flip-flops, counters, registers, memories, tri-state buffers and finite state machines. Methods of hierarchical design and modular design techniques are explained and demonstrated. How to create test benches is described as a means for design verification. Students are giving ample opportunity to practice and refined their design technique using the programming assignments.

WEEK 3
Basics of Verilog
This module introduces the basics of the Verilog language for logic design. It describes the use of Verilog as a design entry method for logic design in FPGAs and ASICs, including the history of Verilog's development. Then a simple example, a 4-bit comparator, is used as a first phrase in the language. Verilog rules and syntax are explained, along with statements, operators and keywords. Finally, use of simulation as a means of testing Verilog circuit designs is demonstrated using ModelSim, a simulator tool. Programming assignments are used to develop skills and reinforce the concepts presented.

WEEK 4
Verilog and System Verilog Design Techniques
In this module use of the Verilog language to perform logic design is explored further. Many examples of combinatorial and synchronous logic circuits are presented and explained, including flip-flops, counters, registers, memories, tri-state buffers and finite state machines. Methods of hierarchical design and modular design techniques are explained and demonstrated. How to create test benches is described as a means for design verification. Students are giving ample opportunity to practice and refined their design technique by writing code as required by the programming assignments.

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

Related Courses

Developing FPGA-accelerated cloud applications with SDAccel: Theory (Coursera) Coursera
Politecnico di Milano

Developing FPGA-accelerated cloud applications with SDAccel: Theory (Coursera)

This course is for anyone passionate in learning how to develop FPGA-accelerated applications with SDAccel! We are entering in an era in which technology progress induces paradigm shifts in computing! As a tradeoff between the two extreme characteristics of GPP and ASIC, we can find a new concept, a new idea of computing... the reconfigurable computing, which has combined the advantages of both the previous worlds.

Nov 16th 2026
4 Weeks
Developing FPGA-accelerated cloud applications with SDAccel: Practice (POK) Polimi OPEN KNOWLEDGE
Politecnico di Milano

Developing FPGA-accelerated cloud applications with SDAccel: Practice (POK)

This course, which is the fourth one of a “series”, is for anyone passionate about practicing how to develop FPGA-accelerated applications with SDAccel. This course will present several scenarios where the workloads require more performance than can be obtained even by using the fastest CPUs. This scenario is turning cloud and data center architectures toward accelerated computing.

Available
5-12 Weeks
Estrategias para ganar. Meteorología en la vuelta al mundo (Coursera) Coursera
University of Barcelona

Estrategias para ganar. Meteorología en la vuelta al mundo (Coursera)

Tanto si eres o no aficionado a la navegación, en este curso aprenderás cuáles son los principales motores del tiempo en la Tierra y lo que los navegantes deben saber de ellos. Conocerás cuáles son las bases de la meteorología oceánica, cómo se generan los archivos digitales a partir de los modelos de predicción y cómo los navegantes los reciben a bordo, vía satélite, para integrarlos al software de alta competición.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Building a RISC-V CPU Core (edX) EdX
Linux Foundation,LinuxFoundationX

Building a RISC-V CPU Core (edX)

Create a RISC-V CPU with modern open source circuit design tools, methodologies, and microarchitecture, all from your browser. Building a RISC-V CPU Core is designed for anyone with a technical inclination who is interested in learning more about hardware. Whether you are new to digital logic or are a seasoned veteran, students will take away new skills that can be applied immediately. No prior knowledge of digital logic design is required.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Desenho para Diário Gráfico (iversity) Iversity
Universidade Lusófona

Desenho para Diário Gráfico (iversity)

Gostava de aprender a desenhar mas acha que não tem jeito para o desenho? Neste curso você irá aprender técnicas simples e inovadoras para desenhar o seu próprio diário gráfico. A formação em desenho consiste numa das matérias mais aliciantes da capacidade expressiva do ser humano. O deslumbramento sobre uma linguagem completa de técnica, de perceções sensoriais e persistência.

Self-Paced
Self-Paced
How to create stamp brush in Procreate and paint in traditional Chinese style (Skillshare) Skillshare
Skillshare

How to create stamp brush in Procreate and paint in traditional Chinese style (Skillshare)

Today I will teach you, how to create stamp brushes and how to paint in Chinese traditional style. I will show you my whole process from the start till finish. And as a bonus I will share with you my stamp brushes that I created. I will also add png files of texture paper, sketch and my picture that i drew. You can find all of it in the section “Projects and Resources”.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Introducción al diseño de hardware con Verilog (edX) EdX
Galileo University,GalileoX

Introducción al diseño de hardware con Verilog (edX)

Aprende el lenguaje de descripción de hardware Verilog, utilizado en la industria en el diseño de hardware digital y microprocesadores a la medida. En la actualidad, el hardware de soporte en sistemas digitales se suele diseñar en un solo circuito integrado FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), en parte debido al abundante espacio físico que ocuparía una implementación con varios circuitos integrados dedicados para este fin.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Create Logos with Meaning: Type as Shape (Skillshare) Skillshare
Skillshare

Create Logos with Meaning: Type as Shape (Skillshare)

Learn how to transform your logo into clever, double meaning designs by incorporating typography. In this class, you'll learn how to manipulate type to create logo designs that are loaded with meaning. Learn how companies like FedEx, Goodwill, and many others have learned to think about design, and begin finding innovative ways to create logos. Through learning how to correctly research and brief a client, and changing how you think of type, you'll have another great resource in your designer toolbelt.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Introduction to FPGA Design for Embedded Systems (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Introduction to FPGA Design for Embedded Systems (Coursera)

Programmable Logic has become more and more common as a core technology used to build electronic systems. By integrating soft-core or hardcore processors, these devices have become complete systems on a chip, steadily displacing general purpose processors and ASICs. In particular, high performance systems are now almost always implemented with FPGAs. This course will give you the foundation for FPGA design in Embedded Systems along with practical design skills.

Nov 2nd 2026
4 Weeks
Digital design with FPGAs (Coursera) Coursera
Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University

Digital design with FPGAs (Coursera)

Welcome to the Digital design with FPGAs course! We are glad to see you as a student of our course! The course will be of interest to a wide audience: undergraduate and graduate students in the field of digital signal processing and the development of digital devices, specialists who plan to start developing digital devices.

Aug 1st 2022
4 Weeks