FPGA-based stepper motor controller: An FPGA-based design project to improve level of the complexity in project-based learning

Course for programmable devices is frequently taught by utilizing FPGA (field programmable gate arrays) board and HDL to prototype an FPGA-based design project, specifically for a teaching method with PBL (project-based learning). By the insufficient level of complexity, the FPGA-based project is easily accomplished without any learning process that commonly evolves through a sufficient R&D activity. In addition, the students who take this course at higher semester should also have a chance to acquire the hands-on type of experience and skills for various applications in some different areas. The aim of this work is to share a teaching experience in a way to improve the complexity level of the FPGA-based design project for the PBL. By the sufficient level of complexity, an FPGA-based stepper motor controller for open loop control system has been applied to expose the students to one of the real FPGA-based applications in a control system area. The open loop system for the controller has been developed by utilizing the Xilinx's FPGA prototyping board along with VHDL, stepper motor, power driver circuit and tachometer. This paper is a final representation of this work carried out for several weeks/months by evolving the sufficient R&D activity. Furthermore, it can be well adopted for other departments for a similar course.