Interactive application for learning RTL code structures

A web based application has been developed to provide students practice in mapping HDL (hardware description language) code samples to the corresponding RTL (register transfer level) circuit architecture. This work is motivated by observations of difficulties students have both in interpreting existing HDL code and in using HDL to implement hardware designs which behave in the intended manner. The application was used for the first time in Fall 2010. Survey data indicates that most students found the tool very helpful in preparing for exam questions that require the students to determine how a given code sample will map to hardware.