
Computer Science Internship: Benchmarking Open-Source Alternatives to MATLAB for HDL Code Generation in Model-Based Design
- Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant
- Training
- Voltijds
- Define a representative reference design (e.g., a digital filter, PID controller, or signal processing block).
- Implement the design in:
- MATLAB/Simulink (using HDL Coder)
- GNU Octave (with HDL packages)
- Scilab (with Scicos and HDL export tools)
- Python (using MyHDL or similar frameworks)
- Generate HDL code from each implementation.
- Simulate and synthesize the HDL using a common FPGA toolchain (e.g., Vivado, Quartus, or open-source tools like Yosys).
- Benchmark the results based on:
- Logic resource usage
- Timing performance
- Code readability and maintainability
- Toolchain usability and maturity
- Document the workflow, challenges, and findings.
- Present a comparative analysis and recommendations for future toolchain diversification.
- Create a poster for a possible conference.
- Understand the workflow of model-based design and HDL code generation.
- Gain hands-on experience with MATLAB, Octave, Scilab, and Python-based HDL tools.
- Learn benchmarking techniques for comparing HDL implementations.
- Contribute to strategic tooling decisions by evaluating open-source alternatives.
- Have a curious, analytical, and methodical mindset.
- Have strong interest in HDL Programming (VHDL/Verilog), Model-Based Design(MATLAB, Simulink), Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and Control Systems.
- Preferably have familiarity with FPGA architectures and programming.
- Have the willingness to explore new tools with a problem-solving mindset.
- You are enrolled at an educational institute for the entire duration of the internship;
- You need to be located in the Netherlands to be perform your internship. In case you ‘re currently living/studying outside of the Netherlands, your CV/motivation letter includes the willingness to relocate.
- If you are a non-EU citizen, studying in the Netherlands, your university is willing to sign the documents relevant for doing an internship (i.e., Nuffic agreement).