VELS: VHDL E-Learning System for Automatic Generation and Evaluation of Per-Student Randomized Assignments

Learning digital design with VHDL requires extensive practice with solving many assignments independently, which is difficult to provide in a university setting with high student-teacher ratio. Automated assessment systems can help by facilitating a flexible, satisfying learning environment for students. This paper describes the VHDL E-learning system VELS, its implementation, and our experience over the last three years with approximately 1000 students. VELS is a flexible system with key features including a uniform task system with parameterized tasks, non-static testbenches, communication over email, a tool that aids in creating new tasks, flexible configuration possibilities with different course modes, exchangeable simulator backend and multi language support.