Lab 8 - Model the Datapath

Introduction

In groups of up to three students from the same lecture section, create a non-trivial model of some aspect of a processor’s datapath and/or control. The model should somehow represent data flowing from one component to another to carry out some kind of instruction.

You will have time to form a group and brainstorm in lab on Tuesday, November 3rd. You will present your model in lab on Tuesday, November 17. This presentation, along with written documentation for your model, will comprise assignment 9.

Specifics

1. Send me an email today to let me know who you will be working with.

2. Your model can be made of just about anything. You can build it out of Popsicle sticks, Legos, real wires, lasers, phasers, light sabers, cake, candy, whatever! But remember that it should somehow convey the idea that data is moving through it from one stage to another. Computer-based models (animations, webpages, etc.) are also acceptable.

3. You may include pipelining or other concepts we haven’t yet encountered in class, but you certainly are not required to do so. If your model demonstrates sufficiently advanced concepts, you may receive extra credit.

4. Within the next week, email me a brief description of your planned model.

5. You will have eight minutes to present your model in lab on November 17th. Make sure you have enough time to demonstrate the model and explain the process it represents.

6. Your documentation should adequately explain the workings of your model; that is, a person reading the documentation would get the same information as in your presentation. You should incorporate diagrams, photos, or videos to support your written explanation of the model. You should conclude by critiquing your model: What does it represent especially well? What is misrepresented or left out?

7. Your document should be in HTML or PDF format, suitable for publishing on the Web. (However, I will not publish it beyond our class without your permission.)

8. While the model can be whimsical, especially in the materials, the documentation should be of a high standard. It should include a title and the names of all group members. It should be clear and easy to read.

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgment: This lab was developed by Janet Davis, who in turn adapted it from an assignment by Mike Gousie. Reference: Michael B. Gousie and James D. Teresco. 2013. Helping students understand the datapath with simulators and crazy models. In Proceedings of the 44th ACM technical symposium on Computer science education (SIGCSE ‘13). ACM, New York, NY, USA, 329-334. DOI=10.1145/2445196.2445295.

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