FPGA Based Low Cost Generic Reusable Module for the Rapid Prototyping of Subsystems

The development of a model for subsystem reuse and the evaluation of currently available rapid prototyping platforms has prompted the development of a GEneric Reusable Module (GERM). The GERM is a low-cost, stand-alone, reprogrammable development tool designed for prototyping reusable subsystems. The GERM, and associated templates, aid the designer in rapidly prototyping and reusing subsystem designs. The GERM addresses also the introduction of students to FPGA technology in an environment which they can continue to use for more complex designs. Extensions of the GERM include combining multiple GERMs together to prototype larger subsystems and systems. The reuse of subsystems has proven to be an eeective method of rapidly prototyping systems in an academic environment.