A simulator for micro programming and hardware simulation integrated in a computer hardware project

Abstract EN

Nowadays, micro-programming of machines becomes more common.

It is a technique used in several fields such as Computer Engineering.

Here it is worth mentioning that micro-programming is employed throughout the design process.

As well, designing the control unit of digital computers needs micro-programming, which is more complex than assembly languages.

In this field, micro-programs can be written as sequences of micro-instructions.

In this context, distinguished teaching of micro-programming of machines requires a suitable and carefully chosen Computer Simulation Tool (CST).

This research designs a computer hardware project that introduces a special simulator achieving an easy-to-use microprogramming environment and a user-friendly simulation tool.

This tool presents a visualization environment in order to display the execution behaviour of microprograms.

It is a model/tool designed as a java program to ensure platform independence.

This paper presents the Minimax simulator, which is used in the Minimax project.

This project is a part of a hardware practical course.

Therefore, it is a simulator for microprogramming and hardware simulation.

As a result, this simulator facilitates the process of micro-programming significantly enabling students to understand easily how a computer works.

Here, two formal measures and metrics were presented to assess the implemented program, the execution time and the program length.

Other results of this study showed how self-organized group work and project management can be accomplished.