Teaching microcoding principles

Abstract

Students are typically exposed to programming in various languages as part of their experience in computer science. Assembly language and hardware concepts are considered standard knowledge in addition to other related topics. Teaching firmware, the integration of hardware and software, is the subject of this paper. The need for teaching firmware is presented, followed by a description of a project assigned to students. Lastly, a discussion of the portability of the concepts learned is presented.

A microprogram simulator and compiler for an enhanced version of Tanenbaum's MIC-1 machine

“…In most cases, however, access to microprogrammable hardware is not available. Although some instructors have utilized commercially available microprogrammable processors [1] or actually built microprogrammable hardware for classroom use [2], the most common approach has been to rely on software simulation of hardware at the microprogramming level [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. The simulation approach allows students to carry out a variety of exercises involving the implementation of a conventional machine language.…”

A microprogram simulator and compiler for an enhanced version of Tanenbaum's MIC-1 machine

“…In most cases, however, access to microprogrammable hardware is not available. Although some instructors have utilized commercially available microprogrammable processors [1] or actually built microprogrammable hardware for classroom use [2], the most common approach has been to rely on software simulation of hardware at the microprogramming level [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. The simulation approach allows students to carry out a variety of exercises involving the implementation of a conventional machine language.…”

MicMac: a microprogram simulator for courses in computer organization

“…Although microprogrammable processors, such as the Burroughs B1830, do exist and have been used in teaching computer organization [2], most colleges and universities do not have access to such machines.…”