The liberty simulation environment as a pedagogical tool

This paper describes how the Liberty Simulation Environment (LSE) and its graphical visualizer can be used in a computer architecture course. LSE allows for the rapid construction of simulators from models that resemble the structure of hardware. By using and modifying LSE models, students can develop a solid understanding of and learn to reason about computer architecture. Since LSE models are also relatively easy to modify, the tool can be used as the basis of meaningful assignments, allowing students to explore a variety of microarchitectural concepts on their own. In lectures where block diagrams are typically displayed, LSE's visualizer can be used instead to not only show block diagrams, but to demonstrate the machine in action. As a result, LSE can ease the burden of conveying complex microarchitectural design concepts, greatly improving the depth of understanding a computer architecture course provides.