skip to main content
10.1145/800016.808223acmconferencesArticle/Chapter ViewAbstractPublication PagesmicroConference Proceedingsconference-collections
Article
Free Access

A “metasimulator” for microcoded processors

Published:01 December 1984Publication History

ABSTRACT

In a computer design project where software and hardware development proceed in parallel, it is essential that some form of simulation is available early so that the software can be breadboarded before the hardware is stable. The simulator must be readily modifiable to accommodate evolving hardware design. For a project at AT&T Bell Laboratories involving several processors of different designs, a program was constructed that generates a simulator from a description of the hardware block diagram. This paper describes the design of that program.

References

  1. 1.C. G. Bell and A. Newell, Computer Structures: Readings and Examples. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1971. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  2. 2.M. R. Barbacci, "Instruction Set Processor Specifications (ISPS): The notation and its applications," IEEE Trans. Comp., Vol. C-30, No. 1, pp. 29-40, January 1981.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  3. 3.M. R. Barbacci, The Design and Analysis of Instruction Set Processors. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1982. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  4. 4.C. W. Rose, G. M. Ordy, and P. J. Drongowski, "N.mPc: A Study in University-Industry Technology Transfer," IEEE Design and Test of Computers, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 44-56, February 1984.Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  5. 5.T. Uehara and M. Barbacci (ed.), Computer Hardware Description Languages and their Applications. Amsterdam: North-Holland, 1983. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  6. 6.M. Persson, "Design of Software Tools for Microprogrammable Microprocessor," Microprocessors and their Applications: Fifth EUROMICRO Symposium on Microprocessing and Microprogramming, pp. 119-127, August 1979.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  7. 7.J. L. Kelly, Jr., C. Lochbaum, and V. A. Vyssotsky, "A Block Diagram Compiler," Bell Syst. Tech. J., Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 669-676, May 1961.Google ScholarGoogle ScholarCross RefCross Ref
  8. 8.Alfred V. Aho, John E. Hopcroft, and Jeffrey D. Ullman, Data Structures and Algorithms. Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley, 1983. Google ScholarGoogle ScholarDigital LibraryDigital Library
  9. 9.VAK-11 Symbolic Debugger Reference Manual. Maynard, Massachusetts: Digital Equipment Corporation, 1981.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  10. 10.Bipolar Microprocessor Logic and Interface Data Book. Sunnyvale, California: Advanced Micro Devices, 1981.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  11. 11.R. L. Whitelaw, private communication.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar

Index Terms

  1. A “metasimulator” for microcoded processors

      Recommendations

      Comments

      Login options

      Check if you have access through your login credentials or your institution to get full access on this article.

      Sign in

      PDF Format

      View or Download as a PDF file.

      PDF

      eReader

      View online with eReader.

      eReader