Processor Models

This page contains information and links to the processor models included on this CD.

Contents:

• picoProcessor model (VHDL)
• TinyMIPS model (GateSim)

picoProcessor

The picoProcessor (pP) is an 8-bit processor intended for education purposes. It is similar to typical 8-bit microprocessors for small embedded applications, but has an instruction set architecture more similar to RISC processors. The VHDL model suite includes a behavioral model, a model of an unpipelined implementation that performs each instruction in a single clock cycle, and an unpipelined implementation that performs each instruction in several clock cycles.

Documentation

• Instruction Set Architecture
• Implementation Notes
• Test Suite Notes

Source Files

• VHDL source and test files

Exercises

• The implementation notes and test suite notes include suggestions for exercises to extend and improve the picoProcessor model.

The picoProcessor model and associated documentation were written by Peter J. Ashenden. The test suite and associated notes were written by Matt Lowry.

TinyMIPS

TinyMIPS is an implementation of a small subset of the MIPS instruction set, using the GateSim simulator. GateSim is included on this CD; click here for more information and installation instructions.

TinyMIPS is more or less compatible with the Spim simulator (also included on this CD). MIPS assembly language programs can be assembled in Spim, then the result saved as a log file that TinyMIPS can read and decode.

Documentation

• TinyMIPS in GateSim

Source File

• TinyMIPS.txt

Exercises

• Click here for exercises to extend and improve the TinyMIPS model.

The TinyMIPS model and associated documentation were written by Tom Pittman.