On The Use Of A Soft Core Processor In Junior Microprocessors Course

Traditionally, microprocessor courses are taught using discrete microprocessors. With the availability of field-programmable gate array and associated soft-core processors, this traditional approach can be changed to provide added educational benefits. The junior level microprocessors course at Boise State University was recently updated using the Altera Nios II soft-core processor. The goal of this course is to teach the basics of microprocessors and peripheral interfacing techniques. Along with replacing the traditional discrete microprocessor with a soft-core processor, the course was modified with the addition of the C programming language. The course used assembly language to teach the features and capabilities of the Nios II processor (instructions, registers and memory) and quickly migrate to the C programming language using a task-oriented approach rather than an exhaustive coverage of the language. Both instructors and students gained valuable experience through this process.