Development System For Undergraduate Microprocessor Courses

Abstract

This paper describes a two-semester sequence of microprocessor courses based on the Intel 8086 , microprocessor and its associated microprocessor lab. The fust course in the sequence focuses on assembly ! lan~age programming while the second course places an emphasis onmicroprocessor-based hardware design. , This adequately covers both software and hardware fimdamentals of a 16-bit microprocessor. In the lab for ; the second course, each student designs and implements a complete 8086-based microcomputer board. Once ~ this prototype board is implemented, the student can use it for various microprocessor-based applications. ~ microprocessor development system designed to provide up-to-date development tools for the lab is also A described. This development system is implemented as a network consisting of six stations, each equipped with a PC, an emulator, a logic analyzer and an EPROM programmer. !

I INTRODUCTION

For many microprocessor courses, laboratory projects are often limited to assembly language programming. A main reason is that software development tools such as cross assemblers, linkers, and simulators [1] for various microprocessors that run in PCs are readily available to create executable modules. In addition, students can execute and test their programs by using PCs and low-cost single-board, microcomputers specifically designed as a teaching tool. However, it is important for engineering students, especially those majoring in Electrical or Computer Engineering, to receive hands-on training on; microprocessor interface and hardware design [2], [3], as well as assembly language programming. Also’ equally important, is for students to learn the usage of modern development tools in designing their projects. I

MICROPROCESSOR COURSE SEQUENCE

Due to the complexity of 16-bit microprocessors, a one-semester course is no longer sufficient to adequately cover both software and hardware fundamentals of a typical microprocessor. For this reason, at The University of Texas at El Paso the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department offers a two-semester sequence of microprocessor courses based on the Intel 8086 microprocessor. Such sequences and courses based on 16/32 bit microprocessors have also been developed at other universities [3]-[5]. The first part of the sequence is EE 3376 Microprocessor Systems I and EE 1376 Laboratory for EE 3376. In EE 3376 and EE 1376, students learn the architecture and instruction set of the 8086, assembly language programming, and macro assemblers. They use PCs and Borland Turbo Debugger to design, implement and debug their assembly language programs.

The second part of the sequence consists of EE 3478 Microprocessor Systems II and EE 1478

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