Computer Architecture Simulator Using Arbitrary Levels of Abstraction for high school and university students

由于不可能对计算机系统的内部过渡进行研究，因此不容易形成计算机系统的概念模型。众所周知，通过使用计算机模拟器提供的视觉吸引力，理解计算机系统的体系结构将变得更加容易。然而，应该可视化的架构类型和需要提供的抽象细节的程度取决于教育的目的和目标受众的理解水平。如果抽象程度高，初学者很容易对整个系统有一个大致的了解，但很难理解细节。另一方面，如果抽象层次较低，很容易理解细节，但可能难以掌握整个系统的工作情况。在本研究中，我们展示了一个计算机模拟器的设计和实现，该模拟器可以设置为任意抽象级别，并可以用于模拟各种系统体系结构。该模拟器具有将任何类型的顺序电路定义为电路元件的能力。通过定义抽象电路元件，计算机系统甚至可以用高级抽象来制造。此外，由于用户可以根据自己的兴趣从多个角度观察计算机系统的过渡，因此该模拟器具有广泛的应用前景。我们也对其进行了样例实施，验证了其有效性。

As it is impossible to investigate the internal transition of the computer systems, it is not easy to form a conceptual model for the computer system. It is known that understanding the architecture of computer systems would become easier by using the visual appeal offered by a computer simulator. However, the kind of architecture that should be visualized and the degree of details of abstraction that needs to be offered depends on the purpose of education and the level of comprehension of the target audience. If the abstraction level is high, it is easy for the beginners to have a rough understanding of the whole system, but it is difficult to comprehend the details. On the other hand, if the abstraction level is low, it is easy to understand details, however, it may be difficult to grasp the working of entire system.In this research, we have shown the design and implementation of a computer simulator that can be set to an arbitrary abstraction level and can used simulate various system, architectures. This simulator has a capability of defining any kind of sequential circuit as a circuit component. By defining the abstract circuit component, a computer system can be fabricated even with a high level abstraction. Moreover, since the user can observe the transition of the computer system from multiple viewpoints according to their interests, this simulator can be used widely. We have also made its sample implementation and confirmed its effectiveness.