Abstract:
The topics of computer architecture are always taught using an Assembly dialect as an example. The most commonly used textbooks in this field use the MIPS64 Instruction S...Show MoreMetadata
Abstract:
The topics of computer architecture are always taught using an Assembly dialect as an example. The most commonly used textbooks in this field use the MIPS64 Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) to help students in learning the fundamentals of computer architecture because of its orthogonality and its suitability for real-world applications. This paper shows how to use the EduMIPS64 visual CPU Simulator as a supporting tool for teaching the standard topics covered by an undergraduate course in computer architecture. The proposed approach is first compared to other similar works in the field, then after a short description of the simulator, the paper focuses on how it can be used for teaching specific topics in an undergraduate computer architecture course. This discussion is then followed by a quantitative assessment of the suitability of the simulator by means of a survey compiled by students themselves; the results show that EduMIPS64 is suitable for the purpose for which it was built-that is, supporting the learning process of computer architecture topics.
Published in: IEEE Transactions on Education ( Volume: 55, Issue: 3, August 2012)
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica, Elettronica ed Informatica, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Davide Patti (M'06) received the Laurea and Ph.D. degrees in computer engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 2003 and 2007, respectively.
He is currently a Research Assistant with the University of Catania. His research focuses on platform-based system design, design space exploration, low-power techniques for embedded systems, and Network-on-Chip architectures.
Davide Patti (M'06) received the Laurea and Ph.D. degrees in computer engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 2003 and 2007, respectively.
He is currently a Research Assistant with the University of Catania. His research focuses on platform-based system design, design space exploration, low-power techniques for embedded systems, and Network-on-Chip architectures.View more
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica, Elettronica ed Informatica, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Andrea Spadaccini (S'11) received the M.S. degree (with honors) in computer engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 2008, and is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree at the University of Catania.
He is the project leader of EduMIPS64 and is one of its core developers. His research activity is focused on biometric recognition, novel biometrics, speaker recognition, and signal processing.
Andrea Spadaccini (S'11) received the M.S. degree (with honors) in computer engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 2008, and is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree at the University of Catania.
He is the project leader of EduMIPS64 and is one of its core developers. His research activity is focused on biometric recognition, novel biometrics, speaker recognition, and signal processing.View more
Kore University, Enna, Italy
Maurizio Palesi (M'06) received the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in computer engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 1999 and 2003, respectively.
Since November 2010, he has been an Assistant Professor with Kore University, Enna, Italy. He has served as a Guest Editor for the VLSI Design Journal, the International Journal of High Performance Systems Architecture, MICPRO Journal, and the Transactions on Emb...Show More
Maurizio Palesi (M'06) received the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in computer engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 1999 and 2003, respectively.
Since November 2010, he has been an Assistant Professor with Kore University, Enna, Italy. He has served as a Guest Editor for the VLSI Design Journal, the International Journal of High Performance Systems Architecture, MICPRO Journal, and the Transactions on Emb...View more
NVIDIA, Inc., Bristol, UK
Fabrizio Fazzino (M'08) received the M.S. degree in computer engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 1997.
Until 2001, he was responsible for the functional verification of 32-bit lines of microprocessors at STMicroelectronics, Catania, Italy. Since 2004, he has collaborated with the Department of Computer and Telecommunications Engineering, University of Catania. He is a Ssilicon Engineer with NVIDI...Show More
Fabrizio Fazzino (M'08) received the M.S. degree in computer engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 1997.
Until 2001, he was responsible for the functional verification of 32-bit lines of microprocessors at STMicroelectronics, Catania, Italy. Since 2004, he has collaborated with the Department of Computer and Telecommunications Engineering, University of Catania. He is a Ssilicon Engineer with NVIDI...View more
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica, Elettronica ed Informatica, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Vincenzo Catania received the M.S. degree (with honors) in electrical engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 1982.
Since 1985, he has cooperated in research on advanced computer architectures and computer networks with the Department of Computer Science and Telecommunications Engineering, University of Catania, where he is currently a Full Professor of computer science. Since November 2006, he has a...Show More
Vincenzo Catania received the M.S. degree (with honors) in electrical engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 1982.
Since 1985, he has cooperated in research on advanced computer architectures and computer networks with the Department of Computer Science and Telecommunications Engineering, University of Catania, where he is currently a Full Professor of computer science. Since November 2006, he has a...View more
Contents Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica, Elettronica ed Informatica, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Davide Patti (M'06) received the Laurea and Ph.D. degrees in computer engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 2003 and 2007, respectively.
He is currently a Research Assistant with the University of Catania. His research focuses on platform-based system design, design space exploration, low-power techniques for embedded systems, and Network-on-Chip architectures.
Davide Patti (M'06) received the Laurea and Ph.D. degrees in computer engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 2003 and 2007, respectively.
He is currently a Research Assistant with the University of Catania. His research focuses on platform-based system design, design space exploration, low-power techniques for embedded systems, and Network-on-Chip architectures.View more
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica, Elettronica ed Informatica, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Andrea Spadaccini (S'11) received the M.S. degree (with honors) in computer engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 2008, and is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree at the University of Catania.
He is the project leader of EduMIPS64 and is one of its core developers. His research activity is focused on biometric recognition, novel biometrics, speaker recognition, and signal processing.
Andrea Spadaccini (S'11) received the M.S. degree (with honors) in computer engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 2008, and is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree at the University of Catania.
He is the project leader of EduMIPS64 and is one of its core developers. His research activity is focused on biometric recognition, novel biometrics, speaker recognition, and signal processing.View more
Kore University, Enna, Italy
Maurizio Palesi (M'06) received the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in computer engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 1999 and 2003, respectively.
Since November 2010, he has been an Assistant Professor with Kore University, Enna, Italy. He has served as a Guest Editor for the VLSI Design Journal, the International Journal of High Performance Systems Architecture, MICPRO Journal, and the Transactions on Embedded Computing Systems.
Maurizio Palesi (M'06) received the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in computer engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 1999 and 2003, respectively.
Since November 2010, he has been an Assistant Professor with Kore University, Enna, Italy. He has served as a Guest Editor for the VLSI Design Journal, the International Journal of High Performance Systems Architecture, MICPRO Journal, and the Transactions on Embedded Computing Systems.View more
NVIDIA, Inc., Bristol, UK
Fabrizio Fazzino (M'08) received the M.S. degree in computer engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 1997.
Until 2001, he was responsible for the functional verification of 32-bit lines of microprocessors at STMicroelectronics, Catania, Italy. Since 2004, he has collaborated with the Department of Computer and Telecommunications Engineering, University of Catania. He is a Ssilicon Engineer with NVIDIA, Inc, Bristol, U.K.
Fabrizio Fazzino (M'08) received the M.S. degree in computer engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 1997.
Until 2001, he was responsible for the functional verification of 32-bit lines of microprocessors at STMicroelectronics, Catania, Italy. Since 2004, he has collaborated with the Department of Computer and Telecommunications Engineering, University of Catania. He is a Ssilicon Engineer with NVIDIA, Inc, Bristol, U.K.View more
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica, Elettronica ed Informatica, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Vincenzo Catania received the M.S. degree (with honors) in electrical engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 1982.
Since 1985, he has cooperated in research on advanced computer architectures and computer networks with the Department of Computer Science and Telecommunications Engineering, University of Catania, where he is currently a Full Professor of computer science. Since November 2006, he has also been the Director of the department. Currently, his research focuses on pervasive embedded systems, network-on-chip architectures, and mobile terminal platform and services.
Vincenzo Catania received the M.S. degree (with honors) in electrical engineering from the University of Catania, Catania, Italy, in 1982.
Since 1985, he has cooperated in research on advanced computer architectures and computer networks with the Department of Computer Science and Telecommunications Engineering, University of Catania, where he is currently a Full Professor of computer science. Since November 2006, he has also been the Director of the department. Currently, his research focuses on pervasive embedded systems, network-on-chip architectures, and mobile terminal platform and services.View more
