- 1 - P. Marwedel, Univ. Dortmund, Informatik 12, 2003

Multimedia Components forthe Visualization of Dynamic Behavior

in Computer Architectures

Peter Marwedel, Birgit Sirocic

University of Dortmund, Germany

{marwedel | sirocic} @ls12.cs.uni-dortmund.de

- 2 - P. Marwedel, Univ. Dortmund, Informatik 12, 2003

Starting point

Experienced limitation of classical static media (such as books) in computer architecture class:

No visualization of dynamic behavior

Experienced limitation of classical static media (such as books) in computer architecture class:

No visualization of dynamic behavior

- 3 - P. Marwedel, Univ. Dortmund, Informatik 12, 2003

Project goals

• Visualization of dynamic behavior• Interactive-ness• Screen layout appropriate for classroom use• Availability for students• Easy integration of material into courses using

Hennessy/Patterson‘s books• Sustained usability of the material• Taking learning characteristics of students into

account, who are less familiar with the internals of computers.

• Visualization of dynamic behavior• Interactive-ness• Screen layout appropriate for classroom use• Availability for students• Easy integration of material into courses using

Hennessy/Patterson‘s books• Sustained usability of the material• Taking learning characteristics of students into

account, who are less familiar with the internals of computers.

- 4 - P. Marwedel, Univ. Dortmund, Informatik 12, 2003

Implementation

• Manpower for developing simulator not available building on top of HADES simulator from the

University of Hamburg• JAVA-based approach, enables Applet-design

• Manpower for developing simulator not available building on top of HADES simulator from the

University of Hamburg• JAVA-based approach, enables Applet-design

- 5 - P. Marwedel, Univ. Dortmund, Informatik 12, 2003

Demonstration of ravi components - Screenshot from ravi pipeline model -

The actual presentation focused on demonstrating ravi components pipeline, mesi, and cacheprotocol. These components can be downloaded at //ls12.cs.uni-dortmund.de/ravi

- 6 - P. Marwedel, Univ. Dortmund, Informatik 12, 2003

Results

• Available from our Web-site//ls12.cs.uni-dortmund.de/ravi

• Interactive visualization of the dynamic behavior has been appreciated very much by students as well as colleagues.

• Proving improved learning success seems to be extremely hard.

- 7 - P. Marwedel, Univ. Dortmund, Informatik 12, 2003

Conclusion

• Interactive multimedia components have been developed which help understanding the dynamics of computer architectures.

• The approach will be extended to other areas of computer engineering, such as embedded systems.

• Interactive multimedia components have been developed which help understanding the dynamics of computer architectures.

• The approach will be extended to other areas of computer engineering, such as embedded systems.