Assembly Language Programming Research Articles

Computer-aided engineering for computer architecture laboratories

Students coming to senior-level computer architecture courses generally have a substantial background in introductory computer organization, assembly-language programming, and digital-logic design. With this background they are ready to embark on sizable design and implementation projects in computer architecture. The author describes an engineering workstation environment that supports student laboratories in computer architecture. The backbone of this environment is a digital simulator that gives each first-term architecture student the necessary power to produce their own working (simulated) computer.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

An environment for evaluation of assembly languages (UAL-E)

This paper deals with the development of an environment for evaluation of assembly languages. The environment, called UAL-E (universal assembly languages environment), consists of three main parts: (a) the UAL kernel used as the common translation ground for other assembly languages; (b) the (SP) software packages used for the translation of an assembly language program into its UAL version and vice versa; and (c) the PROTASK command control language for the synchronization of the UAL-E processes. The UAL-E environment could also be used as an automatic compiler generator.

EASY/VI—a new instructional computer

In this paper it is suggested a simple hypothetical computer which has been designed to assist teaching of the basic concepts in introductory course in computer organization and assembly language programming. The hypothetical computer and the instructional assembly language presented here have some new features which facilitate learning significantly. They have been designed to be a vehicle in almost all the lectures of the course.

The dehydrated VAX-a paradigm for teaching introductory computer engineering

A method used to take advantage of the computer literacy of incoming students and to motivate and enhance a pair of introductory computer engineering courses is described. To carry electrical engineering students from their initial view of a computer as a terminal which understands Fortran to a solid view of what a computing engine does and how to build one, the authors have found it very effective to include a short, intense section on assembly-language programming. The section emphasizes the connection between high-level language programming constructs and machine architecture. To meet the needs of effective material coverage in a five-week segment of the overall two-quarter course, the enormous VAX instruction set was reduced to what looks rather like a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) instruction set of 16 instructions. The instructions selected force full awareness of the details of machine performance and of dynamic memory access and control. By keeping the tool-set small, there is time to concentrate on data structures, internal representations, connections between the high-level language (HLL) and the assembly language expression thereof, and the hardware structures which must underlie computational activity.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Development of Screen Management Subroutines Compatible with Microsoft FORTRAN Compiler

Most of the computer languages for the IBM-PC* include intrinsic functions that allows the programmer to develop full screen interfaces and graphic data representations. Microsoft† FORTRAN, which is widely used for scientific computing, does not supply these functions. Three methods of achieving these functions from FORTRAN are presented: DOS Video and Keyboard Services via the ANSI driver, ROM BIOS Services via the assembler language and direct video memory programming. Each method is evaluated in terms of difficulty, effectiveness and compatibility. Examples are given for each method.

Microprogrammed computer simulator tools

A versatile microassembler and assembler program is described that was developed to facilitate the preparation of symbolic microprograms and assembly language programs for use with the microprogrammable computer simulator ET (educational tool) previously reported by the authors (see ibid., vol.E-30, p.135, Aug. 1987). The microassembler program takes as input a microprogram source file written in symbolic form and produces files ready for loading into the simulator's control ROM and address ROM. In addition, a file containing the mnemonics and corresponding op-codes of each instruction in the instruction set of the machine being simulated by the microprogram is created. The assembler program uses this file together with a user-written symbolic assembly language source program and produces a file containing machine language object code ready for loading into the simulator's RAM. Both the microassembler and the assembler also produce list files that may be examined by the user. Students of computer architecture indicate that use of these tools, in conjunction with the ET simulator, greatly simplifies the task of learning how microprogrammed computers function. >

Software management in a MODULA-2 environment for a multiprocessor, embedded system

Realtime, multiprocessor embedded systems are one application area where response times, throughput, reliability and fault-tolerance constitute the major design criteria. Hence the distribution and management of the application software is a critical function. A prototype loosely-coupled multiprocessor system has been designed and implemented for use in fault-tolerant realtime applications. This paper discusses the organization and structure of the total system, concentrating in particular on the software requirements of the communication and executive (kernel) functions. The communication system is based on a token passing bus protocol for use with single-board computers connected via a fast parallel bus. The kernel is designed to support functional partitioning of application programs, and can be implemented using standard compilers. No special multiprocessing features are required. Most of the software for this system has been written in modula-2, though assembly language programming has been used in a few specialized areas.

An Efficient DSP QPSK Modem Algorithm Extended to a Parallel Structure

A 9.6 Kbits/sec digital coherent QPSK modem implementation is described which employs single TMS320C25 DSP systems and uses all-digital phase- locked-loops to realize the receiver synchronization. Attention is directed toward an efficient algorithm, this being achieved through optimization of the assembly language program.

The development of a course in microprocessor Electronics for undergraduate Mechanical Engineers

This paper describes the development of an undergraduate course in microprocessor programming and interfacing electronics for non-electrical engineers. The course has been developed over a number of years to meet an increasing demand from industry for mechanical engineers with an understanding of microprocessor programming and interfacing. Two assignments have been developed and are described. one taken by all students and one which is available as a final year option. Both exercises teach assembly language programming techniques. The final year option also includes the construction and testing of a variety of interface circuits. A considerable amount of effort has been put into the selection, modification and integration of software and hardware packages from a variety of sources to form a microprocessor development system for undergraduate teaching. Since those taking the course are mechanical rather than electronic engineers, the development system had to be tailored to their needs.

Macros: a neglected technique in assembly language programming

The paper discusses the use of macros in assembly language programming. A brief review of the principles is followed by a discussion of two applications in which macros have been used with considerable advantage. Particular emphasis is placed upon the way in which structured programming concepts may be readily incorporated.

Enhancing high-speed digitization of single-unit neuronal activity on a microcomputer using a hybrid software-hardware technique

A new data acquisition technique allows a microcomputer simultaneously to digitize spikes at high rates, analyze spike waveforms for computer-based spike separation and manage other control tasks. The technique has two key features: a software scheduling routine written in a high-level language and a hardware analog delay of neuronal signals using simple hardware external to the computer. The technique provides an alternative for real-time data acquisition and can be used on microcomputers without requiring interrupt processing and assembly language programming.

An updated PC-based assembly language programming laboratory

An undergraduate computer engineering laboratory that supports a one-quarter, PC (personal computer)-based assembly language programming course is described. The course sequence is required for the computer engineering and is taken as a technical elective by many students in electrical engineering. The novel features of this state-of-the-art laboratory include a symbolic debugger with support for Assembly and high-level languages, a local area network of PCs, online documentation, and a RGB projector for interactive classroom demonstration.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Book Review: The 8086 and Assembly Language Programming

Book Review: The 8086 and Assembly Language Programming

Fast evaluation of integer roots in microcontroller systems

A brief explanation is given of the need for fast root calculation in low-cost controllers, and an appropriate strategy for extracting integer roots is presented and explained. This strategy suits the facilities available on the Intel 8096 microcontroller. A fully commented assembly language program is given for extracting the square root of a 32-bit number; this program executes in about 47 μs. The paper explains how errors can be kept vanishingly small, and presents a basic program which generates a small lookup table to suit individual requirements.

A structured approach to assembly language programming

A method is described for teaching structured programming techniques to students of assembly language programming. Structured programming, historically, has only been within the realm of high-level languages (Pascal, C, etc.), while a more loose approach-one lacking a formal syntax-has traditionally been applied to low-level programming in assembly language. Borrowing words and symbols from Pascal and C, a simple syntax was devised, called Pseudo Code, that uses three basic structures: linear, conditional, and loop. Upon learning that all the programs can be written using only these three structures, students become convinced of the reduced complexity brought by Pseudo Code. A method is adopted that proceeds from the problem definition to the assembly language program using Pseudo Code as an interim step. Using this method, students at the author's college have successfully developed software in assembly language that would have been too complex for them to attempt without coding their solutions in a structured form. >

Psychology of Computer Use: II. Sex Differences in Prediction of Course Grades in a Computer Language Course

This study investigated the effects of sex, computer aptitude, computer attitudes, computer experience, mathematics aptitude, and mathematics experience on the prediction of course grades in a computer language course. The sample consisted of 119 women and 73 men who completed an assembly-language programming course at a midwestern state university. While men in general had higher mathematics aptitude and computer aptitude, women received higher course grades in the computer language course. Students who failed the course were significantly lower in computer aptitude, computer experience, mathematics aptitude, mathematics experience, and high school GPA. A discriminant analysis for the total sample correctly classified passing and failing students at 81.1% accuracy rate. A short test of computer aptitude significantly added to high school grades and mathematics experience in a regression analysis of course grades. Computer attitudes were not related to course grades.

Determination of mineral phase percentages in granular rocks by image analysis on a microcomputer

COMODAL is an image-processing software package that has been developed for geologists. It allows the determination of the modal analysis of rocks by digitizing video images of thin sections, each mineral being characterized by its brightness. The first program in assembly language determines the brightness spectrum of thin sections viewed through a petrological microscope. From this spectrum, a second program (written in BASIC) provides the modal composition of the entire thin section and edits the results. These programs have been developed on a Victor Sirius I microcomputer, but can be modified easily to run on any IBM compatible microcomputer. This procedure allows the rapid determination of modal composition of rocks with a better reliability than classical methods. The technique is nondestructive and analysis can be performed quickly (15–30 min according to the grain size of the rock). Finally, it uses equipment available in most geological laboratories (videocamera, microcomputer, and petrological microscope). As an example, the percentage of feldspar in thin sections of peridotite is determined using this procedure.

The case for assembly language programming

A successful educational course on assembly language programming at the University of Illinois is described with particular emphasis on its pedagogical innovations, including the treatment of multitasking and the provision of library versions of subroutines. The course reinforces fundamental concepts of both data and control structures by illustrating their machine-level implementations. The machine problems provide experience with the design of large programs and with real-time data acquisition and control graphic devices. >

The XFACET computer and assembler

Students learning assembly language programming for the first time are presented with a wealth of information that is often difficult to assimilate, such as multiple addressing modes, large instruction sets, software tools intended for professional programmers, and new number systems. The XFACET computer, a teaching computer and assembler that can be used to help simplify and demonstrate many of these concepts with much less confusion of the part of the student, is described.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

A strategy for microcomputer-controlled measurement of responses in the behavioral laboratory

Problems associated with microcomputer measurement of responses in operant conditioning experiments are discussed. A general strategy that addresses these problems is presented. Although implementation of the strategy requires assembly language programming, the procedures can be used in conjunction with most high-level programming languages. The method ensures that all responses are detected, prevents detection of multiple responses during switch contact bounce, and indicates when responses are being processed at excessive intervals following their occurrences.