The following resources come from the 2009/10 BEng in Digital Systems and Computer Engineering (course number 2ELE0065) from the University of Hertfordshire. All the mini projects are designed as level two modules of the undergraduate programmes. The objectives of this module are to demonstrate, within an embedded development environment: Processor – to – processor communication Multiple processors to perform one computation task using parallel processing This project requires the establishment of a communication protocol between two 68000-based microcomputer systems. Using ‘C’, students will write software to control all aspects of complex data transfer system, demonstrating knowledge of handshaking, transmission protocols, transmission overhead, bandwidth, memory addressing. Students will then demonstrate and analyse parallel processing of a mathematical problem using two processors. This project requires two students working as a team.

1. MINI-PROJECT Dual Processor Computation
Author: University of Hertfordshire
Date created:
Date revised: 2009
Abstract
The following resources come from the 2009/10 BEng in Digital Systems and Computer Engineering (course number
2ELE0065) from the University of Hertfordshire. All the mini projects are designed as level two modules of the
undergraduate programmes.
The objectives of this module are to demonstrate, within an embedded development environment:
• Processor – to – processor communication
• Multiple processors to perform one computation task using parallel processing
This project requires the establishment of a communication protocol between two 68000-based microcomputer systems.
Using ‘C’, students will write software to control all aspects of complex data transfer system, demonstrating knowledge of
handshaking, transmission protocols, transmission overhead, bandwidth, memory addressing. Students will then
demonstrate and analyse parallel processing of a mathematical problem using two processors. This project requires two
students working as a team.
Contents
MINI-PROJECT Dual Processor Computation....................................................................................................1
Section 1. Product Introduction............................................................................................................................2
Section 2. Project Day 1.......................................................................................................................................5
Section 3. Project Day 2.......................................................................................................................................6
Credits...................................................................................................................................................................7
In addition to the resources found below there are supporting documents which should be used in combination with this
resource. Please see:
Mini Projects - Introductory presentation.
Mini Projects - E-Log.
Mini Projects - Staff & Student Guide.
Mini Projects - Standard Grading Criteria.
Mini Projects - Reflection.
You will also need the ‘Mini Project- Dual Processor Computation’ presentation.
© University of Hertfordshire 2009 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.

2. Mini Project Dual Processor Computation
Section 1. Product Introduction.
Learning Outcomes assessed (as taken from the DMD)
All Learning Outcomes specified in the Definitive Module Documentation are assessed as part of this miniproject. The
specific Learning Outcomes are:
Knowledge and Understanding
Be able to:
• Identify and enhance knowledge gained from other studies in areas relevant to the project topic selected.
Skills and Attributes
Be able to:
• Use relevant measurement instruments to analyse a defined electronic engineering problem relevant to digital
systems or embedded computer systems.
• Synthesise a solution to a defined electronic engineering problem relevant to digital systems or embedded
computer systems.
• Take, and analyse appropriately, test results from that solution.
Carry out a simple critical evaluation of the results taken.
Project Title: Dual Processor Computation
3Project Objectives: (technical, specific to this project)
Demonstrate, within an embedded development environment:
• Processor – to – processor communication
• Multiple processors to perform one computation task using parallel processing
Project Summary: (50 words max)
This project requires the establishment of a communication protocol between two 68000-based microcomputer systems.
Using ‘C’, students will write software to control all aspects of complex data transfer system, demonstrating knowledge of
handshaking, transmission protocols, transmission overhead, bandwidth, memory addressing. Students will then
demonstrate and analyse parallel processing of a mathematical problem using two processors. This project requires two
students working as a team.
Introductory Lecture (2hrs) Content:
• General Problem area: data transfer protocols, effect of parallelization
• Hardware to be used
• Relevant ‘C’ code
• Topics for students to revise: handshaking, state diagrams
Preparation Session (3hrs):
This session will act primarily as a refresher about:
• 68000 system familiarization such as the programming and development environment
• Debugging (breakpoints, single stepping, watch windows, …)
• Transfer protocol development and
• State diagram workshop
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3. Mini Project Dual Processor Computation
Day 1
Expected Outcomes for the day:
The student will
• Design a system that will send one byte from Master to Slave with proper handshaking.
• Modify the single byte communication to multiple bytes from the Masters to the Slave’s.
• Develop a method to determine the bandwidth of the system.
Assessment criteria:
A proper wiring interconnection diagram with clear signal labels; a method to carry out synchronised communication
between two microprocessors; a methodical design/build/test methodology; well-structured and legible code including
effective breakdown into functions; a method to measure the bandwidth.
Key Tasks:
• Specify a resource map and sketch a wiring diagram to show how the two microprocessor systems to be
connected.
• Using a structure chart, design a program to perform one byte transmit/receive.
• Modify the design to repeat multiple bytes transmit/receive.
• Develop a method to measure the communication bandwidth.
• Develop a team work strategy: handshaking scheme development and verifying each other’s code.
Day 2
Expected Outcomes for the day:
The student will build on the experience on Day 1 to establish the basic requirements for engaging two processors in
solving a simultaneous equation
z = x*y
x = func_sum_to_10;
y= func_sum_square_to_50.
The student will investigate the relative benefits of all dual processor computation scenarios for the calculation of z
using the single processor computation time as a reference. The students will need to support their argument with state
time diagrams based upon experimental results.
Assessment criteria;
A methodical design/build/test sequence; well-structured and legible code including effective breakdown into functions;
single processor computation of z as a benchmark; two scenarios of parallel computation of z using two processors; a
state-time diagram to summarise the efficiency of the proposed solution.
Key Tasks:
1. Single processor computation of z, and measure the computation time;
2. Two processors configured as scenario 1 (Proc1 calculate x and z, and Proc2 calculate y in parallel);
3. Two processors configured as scenario 2 (Proc1 calculate x, and Proc2 calculate y and z in parallel);
4. Compare the efficiency of computation.
Facilitator guidance (key ideas to draw out from students):
Day 1: Handshaking and synchronization as well as bandwidth measurement
Day 2: Timesaving through parallelism
Section 5. Required Resources: Laboratory Facilities and Teaching Support.
Laboratory Resources: LD403.
PC Workstations with development environment for 68000 Flight boards.
Main 68000 development boards, buffered I/O boards, expansion board, oscilloscope (1 complete set per student)
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4. Mini Project Dual Processor Computation
Teaching Resources:
Briefing packs for the preparatory session and both practical days.
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5. Mini Project Dual Processor Computation
Section 2. Project Day 1
Write functions to perform each of the tasks listed below. You should demonstrate each task as you complete it. The
code that you submit at the end of the day should include all of these functions.
1. Produce a resource map and make correct connection of hardware.
2. Perform one byte transmission and receive between two processors on each side (Master and Slave). Read the
result using LED display or the debugger.
3. Extend the single byte transmission and receive, perform multiple bytes transmission and receive mechanism
between Master and Slave processors.
4. Design, develop and test a measurement scheme that measures the communication bandwidth. (Output a
signal to indicate whether the test was successful.)
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6. Mini Project Dual Processor Computation
Section 3. Project Day 2
Perform each of the tasks listed below. You should demonstrate each task as you complete it. The code that you submit
at the end of the day should include all of the changes described below.
1. Catch up any part left from Day 1 task.
2. Your code should include a "delay function" to add necessary delay to maintain program running properly.
3. Design and implement a probe function to explore running time of a program/function.
4. Perform experiments to solve the simultaneous equation using single processor and measure the time. Display
the result.
5. Establish the scenario 1 as described in the lecture session. Perform the simultaneous equation computation
using two processors and measure the time. Display the result.
6. Modify your code so that scenario 2 can be created. Perform the simultaneous equation computation using two
processors and measure the time. Display the result.
7. Using time-state diagram, make the analysis of efficiency dual processor computation.
Equation:
Z = (Y+10)/x
X = sum_between_1_and_10
Y = sum_between_1_and_20
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7. Mini Project Dual Processor Computation
Credits
This resource was created by the University of Hertfordshire and released as an open educational resource through the
Open Engineering Resources project of the HE Academy Engineering Subject Centre. The Open Engineering
Resources project was funded by HEFCE and part of the JISC/HE Academy UKOER programme.
© University of Hertfordshire 2009
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.
The name of the University of Hertfordshire, UH and the UH logo are the name and registered marks of the University of Hertfordshire. To the fullest
extent permitted by law the University of Hertfordshire reserves all its rights in its name and marks which may not be used except with its written
permission.
The JISC logo is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales
Licence. All reproductions must comply with the terms of that licence.
The HEA logo is owned by the Higher Education Academy Limited may be freely distributed and copied for educational purposes only, provided that
appropriate acknowledgement is given to the Higher Education Academy as the copyright holder and original publisher.
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