CS274: Computer Architecture - Computer Arithmetic (100 Points)

Assignment Goals

The goals of this assignment are:
  1. To implement computer multiplication and division algorithms

Background Reading and References

Please refer to the following readings and examples offering templates to help get you started:

The Assignment

What to Do

In this lab, you will write two programs (or two functions): one to multiply two binary numbers, and one to divide two binary numbers. Follow the circuitry and control from the flowcharts for the algorithm we learned. In other words, each register in the circuit should be a variable in your program, and your implementation should simulate a state machine as indicated by the algorithm control flowchart.

You will write this program in MIPS assembly, storing the multiplicand and multiplier values in 32-bit registers, and storing the result in a pair of 32-bit registers for the result of the multiplication or division. For the quotient, one register will represent the quotient and the other will represent the remainder. For simplicity, you may assume that the values are 16-bit in size, and use a 32-bit register to store the product (or quotient). For division, you can store the quotient in the upper half of the register and the remainder in the lower half, or use two different registers, if you choose.

Note that you may not use the mul or div instructions on this lab; rather, you will use the arithmetic instructions sll, add and others as you may need.

Submission

In your submission, please include answers to any questions asked on the assignment page in your README file. If you wrote code as part of this assignment, please describe your design, approach, and implementation in your README file as well. Finally, include answers to the following questions:
  • Describe what you did, how you did it, what challenges you encountered, and how you solved them.
  • Please answer any questions found throughout the narrative of this assignment.
  • If collaboration with a buddy was permitted, did you work with a buddy on this assignment? If so, who? If not, do you certify that this submission represents your own original work?
  • Please identify any and all portions of your submission that were not originally written by you (for example, code originally written by your buddy, or anything taken or adapted from a non-classroom resource). It is always OK to use your textbook and instructor notes; however, you are certifying that any portions not designated as coming from an outside person or source are your own original work.
  • Approximately how many hours it took you to finish this assignment (I will not judge you for this at all...I am simply using it to gauge if the assignments are too easy or hard)?
  • Your overall impression of the assignment. Did you love it, hate it, or were you neutral? One word answers are fine, but if you have any suggestions for the future let me know.
  • Using the grading specifications on this page, discuss briefly the grade you would give yourself and why. Discuss each item in the grading specification.
  • Any other concerns that you have. For instance, if you have a bug that you were unable to solve but you made progress, write that here. The more you articulate the problem the more partial credit you will receive (it is fine to leave this blank).

Assignment Rubric

Description Pre-Emerging (< 50%) Beginning (50%) Progressing (85%) Proficient (100%)
Algorithm Implementation (50%) The algorithm fails on the test inputs due to major issues, or the program fails to compile and/or run The algorithm fails on the test inputs due to one or more minor issues The algorithm is implemented to solve the problem correctly according to given test inputs, but would fail if executed in a general case due to a minor issue or omission in the algorithm design or implementation A reasonable algorithm is implemented to solve the problem which correctly solves the problem according to the given test inputs, and would be reasonably expected to solve the problem in the general case
Code Quality and Documentation (30%) Code commenting and structure are absent, or code structure departs significantly from best practice, and/or the code departs significantly from the style guide Code commenting and structure is limited in ways that reduce the readability of the program, and/or there are minor departures from the style guide Code documentation is present that re-states the explicit code definitions, and/or code is written that mostly adheres to the style guide Code is documented at non-trivial points in a manner that enhances the readability of the program, and code is written according to the style guide
Writeup and Submission (20%) An incomplete submission is provided The program is submitted, but not according to the directions in one or more ways (for example, because it is lacking a readme writeup) The program is submitted according to the directions with a minor omission or correction needed, and with at least superficial responses to the bolded questions throughout The program is submitted according to the directions, including a readme writeup describing the solution, and thoughtful answers to the bolded or textbook questions throughout

Please refer to the Style Guide for code quality examples and guidelines.