Naslov
FRISC: Involving students in research and development of learning platform

Autori
Alen Duspara ; Daniel Hofman ; Mario Kovač

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, stručni

Izvornik
9th International Conference on Information Technologies and Information Society ITIS2017 / Levnajić, Zoran ; Mileva Boshkoska, Biljana ; Rončević, Borut ; Čefarin, Ana ; Grahek, Marjeta ; Gabrič, Jernej ; Zorčič, Maja - Novo Mesto : Fakultet za infomacijske študije, 2017, 12-13

Skup
9th International Conference on Information Technologies and Information Society (ITIS2017)

Mjesto i datum
Otočec, Slovenija, 09.11.2017. - 10.11.2017

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
computer architecture ; learning platform ; RISC ; processor ; FPGA ; VHDL

Sažetak
On the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing in Zagreb, a simple RISC processor was designed with the intent to improve the teaching methodology of introducing computer architecture to students. Through series of lessons, the process of architectural decision making is presented to students based on specific requirements in the example of FRISC system. Afterwards, students have the laboratory exercises where they use the platform with tools which supports breakpoints, step-by-step execution, memory and register watching, simulation of the peripheral devices and system event logging. In 2013, FRISC hardware design was developed by a group of students, enabling all students to validate their designs on the real hardware. The processor was designed in VHDL and synthesized on an FPGA chip. The design could execute FRISC machine code and communicate with peripheral devices through custom developed controllers. This system was successfully used on the alternative laboratory exercises for 3 years. Each year new functionalities were added to the FRISC system opening new opportunities to easily integrate a variety of input and output device modules like Bluetooth, LCD display, matrix keyboard, relays, sensors and others. Students gave very positive feedback while working on their assignments of making and validating on real hardware basic versions of a commonly used system like a cash register, heating controller, games, calculator, home security etc. Enabling students to work on the development of such system that is used in teaching curriculum is good practice because it enables constant development of teaching quality and methodology. The results of our work show that students have much more motivation to work on their thesis when they know that results of their research will have an impact on the system that is being constantly used. Also, new generations of students find using this platform very intuitive as they can relate to the students that were building it.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Računarstvo

POVEZANOST RADA