Learning the relationship between computer architecture and technology by reconfiguring

Abstract

This paper proposes an approach for teaching Computer Organization and Architecture which is based on building knowledge from the bottom up. Students should design three processors with increased complexity and measure their performances. These processor designs are assigned during a sequence of three 15-week courses and are implemented using a low-cost FPGA-based reconfigurable platform developed at University of Las Palmas G.C. Emphasis is placed on comparing the relation of computer performance with hardware requirements to what has been experimented during the recent history of computers. Our experience shows that students understand better the architecture-technology relation and gain a sense of accomplishment on the computer design when given the opportunity to use real hardware. It is demonstrated here that the learning curve can be modelled as an exponential function of time.