LC3uArch: a graphical simulator of the LC-3 microarchitecture

ABSTRACT

The small instruction set size of the LC-3 as well as its similarities to more powerful instruction sets make it an ideal hypothetical machine for introductory computer science and computer engineering students. Several tools are available for working with this hypothetical machine including simulators, and assemblers for various platforms. We have created an additional tool, LC3uArch, that is useful for debugging LC-3 programs like the existing simulators, but unlike existing simulators also helps student to develop an understanding of the LC-3 microarchitecture. The results of a student survey on the use of LC3uArch indicate our students find LC3uArch a valuable learning tool.

REFERENCES

• 1: http://www.crhc.uiuc.edu/~awise/.
• 2: Special Issue on General Computer Architecture Simulators: ACM Journal of Educational Resources in Computing (JERIC), 1(4), December 2001.
• 3: William (Bill) Yurcik, Special issue on specialized computer architecture simulators that see the present and may hold the future, Journal on Educational Resources in Computing (JERIC), v.2 n.1, p.1-3, March 2002 [doi>10.1145/545197.545198]
• 4: Yale N. Patt , Sanjay J. Patel, Introduction to Computing Systems: From bits & gates to C & beyond, McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, NY, 2003
• 5: Gregory S. Wolffe , William Yurcik , Hugh Osborne , Mark A. Holliday, Teaching computer organization/architecture with limited resources using simulators, Proceedings of the 33rd SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education, February 27-March 03, 2002, Cincinnati, Kentucky

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.0 GENERAL
      Subjects: Modeling of computer architecture

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Computer science education

General Terms:
Languages

Keywords:
computer architecture, computer organization