Modern processors with just a few clicks

Abstract

Some educational programs in areas of engineering and technology often have difficulties providing their students with the necessary instruments to carry out experimental work. This may be due to financial difficulties or simply a lack of opportunities to purchase enough devices. In these cases, computer-aided design could be adopted to model a large number of devices with low operating costs. This article describes the use of the gem5 simulator as a tool that can be useful for higher education students in the areas of engineering and computer sciences. We will review the challenge for students of having access to modern prototyping boards and describe how the use of a simulator can solve this problem to some extent. Finally, we will illustrate step by step the use of the gem5 simulator to emulate a modern microprocessor.

Keywords

• arm
• risc-v
• gem5
• emulación de procesadores.