Teaching Real-Time Video Processing Theory by Using an FPGA-Based Educational System and the "Learning-by-Doing" Method

In the present study, we introduce a FPGA-based educational system called RELI-EVA (REconfigurable-Logic-based system for Implementation and Evaluation of real-time Video processing and analysis of Algorithms), which has been integrated into a Computer and Electronic Engineering course by following the "learning-by-doing" approach. Therefore, the aim of this system is to provide engineering students with an intuitive tool in order to understand the main algorithms for real-time video processing and create and test some new algorithms before their real implementation in physical systems. Moreover, with the aim of demonstrating the potential of the developed FPGA-based system, the development of a practical example for edge detection is presented in order to support the theoretical basis of real-time video processing. Additionally, a qualitative research method was followed to evaluate the proposed tool. A high percentage of the surveyed students corroborated the success of RELI-EVA as part of an engineering course. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.