The use of programmable logic devices in computer architecture course laboratories

This paper addresses the use of programmable logic devices (PLDs) in undergraduate computer architecture course laboratories. It is argued that using these devices provides a mechanism for introducing students to topics that are of critical importance to the competitiveness of industry. Specifically, factors such as the probability of implementing a correct design solution, eliminating the need for a prototype of a circuit through simulation, and the speed with which a solution can be found are factors that by using PLDs one can introduce in a meaningful way to the computer architecture laboratory experience.