Resources Related to the Paper
A Microprogramming Animation
by
Steven Robbins and Kay A. Robbins
Division of Computer Science
University of Texas at San Antonio
Abstract
This paper describes a successful project using computer animation
to teach the concepts of microprogramming to lower division computer
science majors. The students
write a simulator for the Mic-1 horizontal microcontroller
described in the book Structured Computer Organization by
Andrew Tanenbaum.
The simulation is enhanced by the use of a
graphical representation of the machine which animates the simulation.
This creative use of computer animation enables the students to
see the results of their simulation without having to write
an extensive user interface. They can concentrate on implementing
the instruction cycle which directly enhances
their understanding of the Mic-1.
The XTANGO animation package is used, making this portable to any Unix
system with an X display.
The user interface is available via the web.
Paper:
A Microprogramming Animation, IEEE Transactions on Education,
November 1998
PostscriptPDF
Resources for animation programmers:
Download these resources if you wish to develop a MIC-1 animation.
You may also wish to download the resources for animation users
so that you can see what a finished animation should look like.
Resources for animation users:
Download these resources if you want to run the MIC-1 the sample
simulator. You can use this simulator as a debugger for MAC-1 code
or you can add microcode for new MAC-1 instructions.