The development of microprocessing system simulators has been typically based on a cross-assembler and simulator package designed to run on a large computer system. The program developed on the simulator is then loaded into a separate microprocessor based system which is used to support the hardware design phase.

The effort at Florida Technological University has resulted in an integrated software and hardware support system. It uses standard minicomputer software (macroassembler, loader, editor, etc.) and interfacing facilities to provide not only a powerful development phase tool but also a base for evaluation and training.

Evaluation can be accomplished by adding hardware to gather run time statistics which can then be processed by the minicomputer system. Training can be accomplished using a combination of computer-aided instruction and real-time operation. Both of these "side effects" are presently being investigated.

One final comment on the technique used for microprocessor system simulation; very often a great deal of cost and/or effort is spent on obtaining design and development tools which are essentially a one-time effort. If a minicomputer is available, it can be used as a base for software development aimed at a general system that can be used with the microprocessor that is best suited for the individual application. It appears that this approach is the straightforward and cost-effective means of system design.

D. Trimble

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Simulation of Microprocessor Operation for Program Development and Checkout