Transcript GUI For Computer Architecture

GUI For Computer Architecture
May01-05
Team Members:
Neil Hansen
Ben Jones
Jon Mathews
Sergey Sannikov
CprE
CprE
CprE
CprE
Clients/Advisors:
Manimaran Govindarasu
Arun Somani
April 25, 2001
Presentation Outline
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Problem Statement
Design Objectives
End Product Description
Assumptions and Limitations
Project Risks and Concerns
Technical Approach
Recommendations for Further Work
Evaluation of Project Success
Human and Financial Budgets
Lessons Learned
Closing Summary
Questions
Problem Statement
Verilog and SimpleScalar are tools that aid in
the study of computer architecture, but they
lack a flexible graphical user interface (GUI).
 Professors in computer engineering at Iowa
State would like to enhance the visualization
of the computer architecture that the
students are studying.
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Design Objectives
Develop a GUI for a computer architecture
simulator that:
 Allows
students to see the process of
instruction execution.
 Is
simple to use and understand. Layers
are used to show and hide information and
to improve clarity.
End Product Description
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The product is a GUI educational tool
for students studying micro-architecture.
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It animates the execution of MIPS assembly
programs cycle by cycle.
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The animation is based on data generated by
a Verilog simulation of the computer
architecture.
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Instructors can simulate new programs with
the provided tools for distribution to the
students.
Program Screenshot
Assumptions and Limitations
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The micro-architecture is limited to a
simplified version of MIPS architecture as
described in CprE 305.
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Users are expected to be familiar with the
MIPS instruction set.
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Animations consist of less than 60 cycles.
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The simulator must be capable of producing
text output.
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Screen size limits the effective display of
information.
Project Risks and Concerns
Possible Risks:
 Not finishing on time.
 Losing a team member.
 Pitfalls of learning a new language.
Risks Encountered:
 Complexity of the architecture.
 Preferred version of Verilog hard to find.
 Security issues with Java.
 Source management.
Technical Approach
 Micro-architecture
 Translator
 GUI
Simulator
simulator (Verilog)
(Perl)
software (Java)
Translator
GUI
Technical Approach (cont.)
Micro-architecture Simulation and Tools
Assembly
Source
Code
Assembler
Verilog
Instruction
Memories
Verilog
Output
Verilog
Model
Technical Approach (cont.)
The Translator
Verilog
Output
Translator
Assembly
Program
Traces
Technical Approach (cont.)
GUI
Program
Traces
Recommendations for Further Work
Support advanced architecture features.
 A server version of the software would allow
students to submit their own code for
animation.
 Enhance the quality of the animation with
multimedia.
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Evaluation of Project Success
Milestones:
 Assembler
 Verilog
model of architecture.
 Translator
 GUI
to create Verilog programs.
from Verilog to GUI.
software.
 User
and Instructor Manuals
 Code
documentation.
Project Success (cont.)
Testing Approaches
 System test
 Evaluation test by graduate students and faculty:
 Provides feedback on the effectiveness of the tool
 Determines the suitability as a presentation tool
 User test by students currently taking CprE 305 to
provide feedback on the usability of the tool.
Human and Financial Budgets
250
200
210
195
220
220
215
200
180
174
150
Estimated
Hours
Total Hours
100
50
0
Ben
Jon
Neil
Sergey
Human and Financial (cont.)
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
50
44
Estimated Cost
Total Cost
Poster
Lessons Learned
Start early on all deliverables.
 Software can disappear from the labs.
 Contingency plans are helpful.
 Goals and milestones keep the project
on track.
 Communication and teamwork make for
smooth sailing.
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Closing Summary
This software allows students to better
visualize the internal processes of a
micro-architecture.
 Instructors are able to present course
material in more flexible format.
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Questions?
Comments…?
Concerns…?