FOUNDATIONS OF DIGITAL DESIGN CMPE2001 Laboratory 10

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (2015: Rev. 1.0)

Laboratory Script 10: Writing Programs for the MiniMIPS Computer

Laboratory Venue: 204:237

Equipment Required:
1 × Altera’s DE0 development kit including accessories (DC plug pack, USB
programming cable)
1 × PC with Quartus II software and QSim simulation tool installed

1. Objectives
The objectives of this laboratory session can be summarised as follows:
 Apply your knowledge on assembly language to write programs for the MiniMIPS
processor.
 Reaffirm your knowledge on the MiniMIPS architecture.

2. Pre-laboratory
Before coming to the laboratory:
o Read this script and make sure you understand what is expected.
o Study section 6.4 from edition1 in the book by Harris & Harris.
o Write pseudo code or draw flow charts for tasks 2a, 2b and 2c.
o Study the document "MiniMIPS.pdf" available from Blackboard.
o Get familiar with the MiniMIPS simulator available from Blackboard.

3. General Recommendations
Here are some points to note:
 At the completion of each task, make sure the laboratory assistant signs your marking-
sheet. All marking sheets must be submitted at the end of the laboratory session. One
marking sheet per team. Please write the student ID of all members of the team.
 Make sure you know what to do and how to do it. When in doubt, do not try to guess
the answers to your questions. Ask for help.
 If you want to keep your work, make sure you save it in your I:\ drive or alternative
storage media. All files are automatically deleted every time a new user logs into the
computer.

Copyright © 2014 A/Prof. Cesar Ortega-Sanchez Page 1 of 3

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 FOUNDATIONS OF DIGITAL DESIGN CMPE2001 Laboratory 10
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (2015: Rev. 1.0)

4. Tasks
1. Download and extract in one of the local drives the file MIPS.zip available from
Blackboard. This file contains a Quartus II project with a fully functional MiniMIPS-
based system, similar to the one you build in laboratory 9.
2. Use the MiniMIPS simulator to create the following assembly language programs.
a. A program to write in locations 0x40 to 0x49 of the data memory ten values set by the
switches, and then read the values in reverse order (from location 0x49 to 0x40)
displaying each value in the LEDs. For this program you have to use for loops. (40
minutes)
b. A program that presents an 8-bit binary counter in the LEDs. The counter must count
from 0x00 to 0xFF and start again. (40 minutes)
c. A program to calculate the addition of the first 20 even numbers, starting with 0. (40
minutes)
Every program must be simulated using the MiniMIPS tool and then demonstrated in the
FPGA board. To verify and test your programs you only need to create the instruction
memory using the Export function of the MiniMIPS simulator. Remember to copy your
file to the Quartus II MIPS project and rename it I_MEM.vhd. Do not change anything
else.
For every program you need to show in your logbook the flow diagram or pseudo-code of
your algorithm and your assembly language listing.
Suggestion: Once you have created a successful .sof file, rename it before creating the
next one. By doing this you can keep the configuration files for all your programs.

Copyright © 2014 A/Prof. Cesar Ortega-Sanchez Page 2 of 3

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology.
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J (WA), 02637B (NSW)
 FOUNDATIONS OF DIGITAL DESIGN CMPE2001 Laboratory 10
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (2015: Rev. 1.0)

Marking Sheet for Laboratory Script 10: Writing Programs for the MiniMIPS Computer
Date and Session Time:
Names and ID Numbers:
(Please do not forget to write your student ID number)
Assessment Criteria
Laboratory Assistant
Task
0%–35% 35%–70% 70%–100% Name

Pre-laboratory work: Design of At least one member of the team Pre-laboratory was attempted, but All members presented evidence
programs in logbook failed to attempt the pre-laboratory the evidence was incomplete or not of their pre-laboratory work in
(20 marks) work. in the logbook. their logbooks.
Simulation of fill memory The group did not attempt the task. A partial simulation of the algorithm The group was successful in
program was presented. simulating the program.
2a (Part I) (20 marks)
Fill memory program in the The group did not attempt the task. A .SOF file was loaded to the The group presented the program
FPGA FPGA but results were not as working in the FPGA.
2a (Part II) (10 marks) expected.
Simulation of counter program The group did not attempt the task. A partial simulation of the algorithm The group was successful in
was presented. simulating the program.
2b (Part I) (15 marks)
Counter program in the FPGA The group did not attempt the task. A .SOF file was loaded to the The group presented the program
FPGA but results were not as working in the FPGA.
2b (Part II) (10 marks) expected.
Simulation of addition program The group did not attempt the task. A partial simulation of the algorithm The group was successful in
was presented. simulating the program.
2c (Part I) (15 marks)
Addition program in the FPGA The group did not attempt the task. A .SOF file was loaded to the The group presented the program
FPGA but results were not as working in the FPGA.
2c (Part II) (10 marks) expected.

Copyright © 2014 A/Prof. Ceasr Ortega-Sanchez Page 3 of 3

Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology.
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J (WA), 02637B (NSW)