Signal Processing and new Modulations Formats are usually developed using MATLAB and then back tested off-line with recorded signals. Once an algorithm is proven useful it has to be implemented in an FPGA to be tested live. In this project, the student will study the main parameters of advanced modulation formats, transfer MATLAB based algorithm to an FPGA, polish and optimize the FPGA software, experimentally test in a real-time scenario the implementation.

The Objective involved realizing a PRBS-BERT to analyze the optical link performance. The configuration of the board for the application involved studying the daughter board, the interconnect (i.e. HSMC) and thereby establishing connection between the Cyclone III Starter Kit and the THDB_ADA daughter board. Finally, the PRBS design was downloaded and verified in the setup. Another important study involved analyzing the necessary precautions to be taken with regard to the board design.