Exploring prefix-tree adders using excel spreadsheets Setting up an explorative learning environment

Author

Jeppson, Kjell ; Larsson-Edefors, Per

Author_Institution

Dept. of Microtechnol. & Nanosci., Chalmers Univ. of Technol., Gothenburg, Sweden

fYear

2013

fDate

2-3 June 2013

Firstpage

48

Lastpage

51

Abstract

A learning environment based on Microsoft Excel spreadsheets is presented allowing for fast and systematic exploration of different implementations of integer adder designs. The spreadsheet properties are exploited to illustrate both layout and timing properties of an adder design. The usefulness of the learning environment is demonstrated by several different examples. We also describe how the spreadsheet representation can aid the designer at the VHDL level.

Keywords

adders; computer aided instruction; electronic engineering education; hardware description languages; spreadsheet programs; Microsoft Excel spreadsheets; VHDL level; explorative learning environment; integer adder design; layout properties; prefix-tree adders; spreadsheet properties; spreadsheet representation; systematic exploration; timing properties; Adders; Computer architecture; Delays; Logic gates; Microprocessors; Multiplexing; Propagation delay; EDA tools; prefix-tree adders; spreadsheets; student learning environment;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Microelectronic Systems Education (MSE), 2013 IEEE International Conference on

Conference_Location

Austin, TX

Print_ISBN

978-1-4799-0139-5

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/MSE.2013.6566702

Filename

6566702