r/FPGA • u/Just_Purpose_9544 • 23h ago

Need help regarding a self-learning project

Hi all, I am an FPGA engineer but in my current organisation doing some other work which is not at all based around FPGAs, so i am scared that i might start forgetting concepts, so to keep myself learned and stick to FPGAs i am thinking of starting a new project (which has to be complex). So I am looking for project ideasand also is there any online resource where i can check (virtually) that my project is working on the FPGA.
Need help!

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u/Imaginary-Island799 FPGA Know-It-All 23h ago

You have several options, you can work without FPGA board only simulation, or you buy some low cost FPGA board, or you use Arrow virtual lab

https://www.arrow.com/en/resources/digital-test-drive-remote-hardware-testing.html

It's up to you!

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u/Just_Purpose_9544 22h ago

thanks, this is what i was looking for

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u/captain_wiggles_ 21h ago

So I am looking for project ideas

There's a million threads asking for project ideas, without providing additional context like your interests (academic and non-academic) you aren't going to get any different answers. So fuck it, go implement a RISC-V processor, or blink some LEDs, or maybe something in between.

lso is there any online resource where i can check (virtually) that my project is working on the FPGA.

Nothing substitutes for actual hardware. You have simulation but if you make the same faulty assumption in the RTL as in the testbench then you're not going to pick up the issue. You have something like the AWS FPGAs but honestly it'd probably be cheaper just to buy your own beard, and while I've never used those, I imagine that getting started with those would be a pain in the ass, and also it lacks the IO you might want to work with, e.g. I often suggest implementing an audio synth as a good project. That isn't going to go so well on remote / virtual hardware. Honestly you should just buy a board. Pick a project, pick a board that suits the project's needs, then save up for it, you'll not really need hardware for a couple of months anyway while you get the initial R&D work done.

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u/nixiebunny 14h ago

Choose a project that is in the general field of your employer’s needs if you want to stay there. Otherwise choose a subject you enjoy and make something related to it. I have had fun making LED video screens.