FPGA Meets Breadboard: Integrating a Virtual Breadboard with Real FPGA Boards for Remote Access in Digital Design Courses
2026-07-12 • Computers and Society
Computers and Society
AI summaryⓘ
The authors address the problem of doing hardware-based lab work remotely due to the shift to online learning. They created a virtual breadboard system that connects students to real FPGA hardware placed on their campus, allowing students to do hardware labs from afar. This setup helps students complete their assignments without needing physical access to the hardware. The authors share their experience implementing this remote lab approach.
remote instructionhands-on labsFPGAvirtual breadboardhardware componentsremote accesslab assignmentsuniversity campushardware interfaceonline learning
Authors
Shuowei Li, Heran Wang, Luis Rodriguez-Gil, Pablo Orduna, Rania Hussein
Abstract
With the transition to remote instruction, new modalities for conducting hands-on labs are needed. In particular, courses that entail major hardware components faced challenges in making the hardware available for students in a reliable and sustainable way. This paper presents our experience in implementing a virtual breadboard feature to interface with real Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) boards located on the University of Washington's campus, where students can access the boards remotely to complete their lab assignments.