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

由于不可能研究计算机系统的内部过渡，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容易。然而，应该可视化的建筑类型和需要提供的抽象细节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粗略的了解，但很难理解细节。另一方面，如果抽象级别低，它是很容易理解的细节，但是，它可能是难以把握整个系统的工作。在本研究中，我们已经展示了一个计算机模拟器的设计和实现，可以设置到一个任意的抽象级别，可以用来模拟各种系统，架构。该仿真器具有将任何类型的时序电路定义为电路元件的能力。通过定义抽象电路组件，甚至可以用高级抽象来制造计算机系统。此外，由于用户可以根据他们的兴趣从多个视点观察计算机系统的转换，因此该模拟器可以被广泛使用。我们也做了它的样本实现，并证实了它的有效性。

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.