Programmable logic devices supporting embedded system design curriculum

This paper argues towards the usage of programmable logic devices as supporting platforms for experimentation, from introductory to advanced courses, including microprocessor-based system design, within a typical "embedded systems track" course structure in the framework of a Electrical and Computer Engineering curriculum. We argue that the usage of programmable logic devices is adequate to be adopted as common implementation platform, whenever the design of digital and embedded systems should be introduced. A remote laboratory, taking advantage of dynamic reconfiguration of programmable logic devices, is proposed, giving adequate support for remote experimentation, and additional opportunities to the students to get involved with experimentation, on top of simulation environments already in use and physical experimentation in crowded laboratories.