Project Requirements

It is a course requirement that you (meaning ``each project group'') design a central processing unit that supports an instruction set to be given to you. Specifically, it will be a small subset of the instructions of an embedded processor called CR-16. This common requirement will help us structure the course and help provide a set of core issues that we can discuss and thus reinforce our learning.

You will be required to extend the core instruction set to include additional instructions. There is no hard and fast rule on what these extensions should be; here are some thoughts:

• New instructions that perform special-purpose arithmetic functions, such as multipication, new kinds of bit-vector operations (e.g., blit), or inner product (used during matrix multiplication).
• New instructions, or new conventions with respect to existing instructions (e.g., special semantics when certain special addresses or registers are employed) to facilitate the handling of I/O devices. The XSA/XST board combination has the following peripherals that you can use in creative ways:
  • A stereo codec
  • A PS/2 interface
  • A VGA interface
  • A/D and D/A converters
  • (many more; check the documentation)
  In addition, you can procure new peripherals (e.g., a solid-state accelerometer) and interface them to your computer.
• New items of software, such as a good simulator for your computer, an in-depth study of the SDRAM controller, a more flexible SDRAM controller that allows you to use the memory chip more efficiently, etc.
• Innovative designs to components of the computer (e.g., better arbiters).
• Adding interrupts to your computer, including perhaps priority interrupts, and system calls.

The real trick is to get the main (required parts) working, thoroughly tested and documented, and then carefully assess the difficulty of a proposed extension, and then allow enough time to accomplish the same.