Rania Hussein | Searcharxiv

arXiv2026

FPGA Meets Breadboard: Integrating a Virtual Breadboard with Real FPGA Boards for Remote Access in Digital Design Courses

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.

cs.CY↗

arXiv2026

Effectiveness of Using Remote Laboratory in Promoting Simulation and Verification Tools

The transition to remote learning during the pandemic has necessitated the development of new methods for conducting hands-on experiments. One significant challenge in this transition has been providing students with reliable and sustainable access to necessary hardware components, particularly for courses that require substantial equipment. Additionally, industry partners have high expectations for students to be proficient in simulation and verification tools. To address these challenges, we implemented a virtual breadboard feature that allows students to remotely access Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) hardware and complete lab assignments. Our evaluation of this approach, which included surveys of students and industry partners, revealed that it effectively transformed a traditionally in-person lab assignment into an online modality. Furthermore, this paper presents the perspective of industry professionals on verification and simulation tools as a highly desirable skill in the industry, a skill that remote labs tend to emphasize which makes remote labs a viable educational solution that can continue to be utilized even after the pandemic.

cs.CY↗