Optimized Real-Time Assembly in a RISC Simulator

Abstract

This article introduces the Assembly/Simulation Platform for Illustration of RISC-V in Education (ASPIRE), an integrated tool designed to teach RISC-V ISA and CPU architecture concepts. The authors evaluate two assembly algorithms that operate in real time while code is being edited within the simulator. A key innovation is an optimized algorithm that utilizes incremental assembly, limiting processing only to the specific portion of the program that has been changed to enhance overall run-time performance.

Report

Key Highlights

• New Platform Introduced: The article presents ASPIRE (Assembly/Simulation Platform for Illustration of RISC-V in Education), an integrated RISC-V assembler and simulator.
• Educational Focus: ASPIRE is specifically designed as a teaching aid to illustrate the RISC-V Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) and modern CPU concepts.
• Real-Time Assembly: The simulator incorporates assembly algorithms that execute in real time as the user edits the code.
• Incremental Optimization: The primary innovation is an optimized assembly algorithm that implements incremental assembly, limiting compilation scope strictly to the modified code sections.
• Performance Evaluation: Both the standard real-time and the optimized incremental assembly algorithms are evaluated based on their overall run-time performance.

Technical Details

• Target Architecture: RISC-V Instruction Set Architecture (ISA).
• Tool/Methodology: ASPIRE serves as both a code generator (assembler) and execution environment (simulator).
• Algorithms Evaluated: Two distinct real-time assembly algorithms were tested.
• Optimization Technique: The superior algorithm employs incremental assembly, meaning that the translation process is localized to the line or segment where code modifications occur, rather than recompiling the entire program.
• Metrics: Evaluation focused on measuring and comparing the overall run-time performance of the two assembly approaches.

Implications

• Improved Pedagogy: ASPIRE significantly enhances the quality of educational tools for computer science and engineering by providing interactive, real-time feedback on RISC-V assembly and architecture.
• Efficiency in Learning: Real-time and incremental assembly drastically reduces latency, allowing students to instantly see the results of their code changes, streamlining the process of debugging and conceptual understanding.
• Direct Support for RISC-V Ecosystem: As RISC-V adoption grows, robust and efficient educational simulators like ASPIRE are crucial for training future hardware and software architects.
• Simulator Design Benchmark: The optimized incremental assembly approach establishes a performance standard for future interactive RISC simulators, ensuring responsiveness even with complex or large assembly programs.