Computer Architecture Lab: A bridge between electronics and computers

This paper presents a Computer Architecture Lab based on a hypothetical pedagogical computer and its corresponding software simulator designed at the University of Vigo. This computer simulator permits to access both the architecture and microarchitecture level of the computer. The paper shows the simulator features at both levels, and introduces the use of embedded core for the learning of SoC (System on a Chip) systems. Therefore students can reinforce the software perspective while they learn the design of complex hardware systems.