Computer Architecture with an Industrial RISC-V Core [RVfpga] from edX

RISC-V, an open-standard computer architecture, is transforming processor design and software/hardware co-design, including enabling open source hardware implementations. This means that software development can occur alongside hardware development, accelerating the design process. Enroll today to develop your understanding of the RISC-V architecture and its ecosystem and get familiar with the RISC-V cores and system-on-chip.

This course is for junior level or higher university computer science, electrical and computer engineers and other technical students as well as others who would like to learn and experiment with RISC-V.

Upon completion, learners should be able to use RISC-V to improve security, power consumption and performance of processors and help shape the future of computer architecture.

What you'll learn

Understand and be able to use the RISC-V Computer Architecture
Develop and compile C and RISC-V Assembly code for the RVfpga SoC
Understand, use and extend the Input/Output System of the RVfpga SoC
Understand and configure the microarchitecture of the VeeR EH1 CoreTM and test its different features using Performance Counters and industry-standard Benchmarks.
Execute programs on the Nexys A7 board (optional) and simulate programs on different simulation tools: Whisper instruction set simulator (ISS); Verilator-based RVfpga-ViDBo; RVfpga-Pipeline; and RVfpga-Trace.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome!

Chapter 1. Installation and Initial Demonstrations

Chapter 2. C Programming with the RVfpga SoC

Chapter 3. RISC-V Assembly Programming with the RVfpga SoC

Chapter 4. RISC-V Function Calls

Chapter 5. Mixing C and Assembly Functions in a Program

Chapter 6. Introduction to Peripherals and Input/Output

Chapter 7. More I/O: 7-Segment Displays

Chapter 8. More I/O: Timers

Chapter 9. Interrupts

Chapter 10. Delving Deeper into the RISC-V VeeR Core

Final Exam (Verified Track only)

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches computer architecture concepts and topics, which are essential for students in computer science

Provides a strong foundation for understanding RVfpga SoC

Taught by Sarah Harris and Daniel Chaver-Martinez, who have extensive experience in computer architecture

Develops programming and software development skills, which are essential for computer science students

Covers a wide range of topics, including RISC-V assembly programming, input/output systems, and microarchitecture

Provides hands-on experience with RVfpga SoC, which can be beneficial for students interested in hardware design

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Computer Architecture with an Industrial RISC-V Core [RVfpga] with these activities:

Explore the RISC-V website

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Gain a solid understanding of the RISC-V architecture and its components before diving into the course.

Browse courses on RISC-V

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Visit the RISC-V International website
Review the RISC-V specification documents
Explore the RISC-V community forums

Connect with RISC-V experts

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Expand your knowledge and gain insights by connecting with experienced RISC-V engineers or researchers.

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Attend RISC-V conferences and meetups
Join RISC-V online forums and discussion groups
Reach out to RISC-V experts on LinkedIn or other professional networking platforms

Review C programming language

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Refresh your C programming skills to prepare for the course's focus on C and RISC-V assembly programming.

Browse courses on C Programming

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Review C language syntax and data types
Practice writing basic C programs
Utilize a C compiler to understand the compilation process

Four other activities

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Practice writing RISC-V instructions

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Develop proficiency in writing RISC-V assembly code for different RISC-V instructions.

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Use an online RISC-V simulator or emulator
Write assembly code for basic arithmetic operations
Practice writing assembly code for control flow instructions
Experiment with different addressing modes

Contribute to RISC-V open-source projects

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Gain hands-on experience and contribute to the advancement of RISC-V by参与者ing in open-source projects.

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Identify RISC-V open-source projects on platforms like GitHub
Review the project documentation and codebase
Contribute bug fixes, feature enhancements, or documentation improvements

Build a simple RISC-V system using Verilog or VHDL

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Deepen your understanding of RISC-V architecture by creating a basic RISC-V system from scratch using hardware description languages.

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Design the RISC-V processor's datapath and control unit
Implement the design using Verilog or VHDL
Simulate the RISC-V system using an FPGA
Test the system's functionality by running assembly code

Present a technical presentation on a RISC-V-related topic

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Solidify your understanding and improve your communication skills by presenting on a technical aspect of RISC-V.

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Choose a specific topic related to RISC-V
Research the topic thoroughly and gather relevant information
Create a presentation using slides or other visual aids
Practice your presentation and prepare for questions
Deliver the presentation to an audience

Career center

Learners who complete Computer Architecture with an Industrial RISC-V Core [RVfpga] will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer Hardware Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing computer hardware components. They use their knowledge of computer architecture and engineering principles to create new and innovative hardware solutions. This course provides a great foundation for a career as a Computer Hardware Engineer by teaching you the basics of computer architecture and how to use the RISC-V architecture to design and develop hardware components.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer Architect

Computer Architects design and develop the overall architecture of computers. They work on the design of the processor, memory, input/output system, and other components that make up a computer. This course provides a great foundation for a career as a Computer Architect by teaching you the basics of computer architecture and how to use the RISC-V architecture to design and develop computer systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Architect

Embedded Systems Engineer

Embedded Systems Engineers design and develop computer systems that are embedded in other devices, such as cars, airplanes, and medical devices. They work on the design of the hardware, software, and firmware that make up an embedded system. This course provides a great foundation for a career as an Embedded Systems Engineer by teaching you the basics of computer architecture and how to use the RISC-V architecture to design and develop embedded systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Systems Engineer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work on a variety of projects, from small personal applications to large enterprise systems. This course provides a great foundation for a career as a Software Engineer by teaching you the basics of computer architecture and how to use the RISC-V architecture to design and develop software applications.

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Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers work on the design, development, and integration of complex systems. They work on a variety of projects, from small personal systems to large enterprise systems. This course provides a great foundation for a career as a Systems Engineer by teaching you the basics of computer architecture and how to use the RISC-V architecture to design and develop complex systems.

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Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design, develop, and maintain electrical systems. They work on a variety of projects, from small personal devices to large power plants. This course provides a great foundation for a career as an Electrical Engineer by teaching you the basics of computer architecture and how to use the RISC-V architecture to design and develop electrical systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists conduct research on computer science theory and develop new computer technologies. They work on a variety of projects, from developing new programming languages to designing new computer architectures. This course provides a great foundation for a career as a Computer Scientist by teaching you the basics of computer architecture and how to use the RISC-V architecture to design and develop new computer technologies.

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Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers write and maintain computer programs. They work on a variety of projects, from small personal programs to large enterprise systems. This course provides a great foundation for a career as a Computer Programmer by teaching you the basics of computer architecture and how to use the RISC-V architecture to design and develop computer programs.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain technical documentation, such as user manuals, technical reports, and white papers. They work on a variety of projects, from small personal projects to large enterprise projects. This course may be useful for a career as a Technical Writer by teaching you the basics of computer architecture and how to use the RISC-V architecture to design and develop technical documentation.

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Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts test and evaluate software and hardware products to ensure that they meet quality standards. They work on a variety of projects, from small personal projects to large enterprise projects. This course may be useful for a career as a Quality Assurance Analyst by teaching you the basics of computer architecture and how to use the RISC-V architecture to design and develop test and evaluation tools.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and marketing of products. They work on a variety of projects, from small personal products to large enterprise products. This course may be useful for a career as a Product Manager by teaching you the basics of computer architecture and how to use the RISC-V architecture to design and develop products.

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Sales Engineer

Sales Engineers sell and support computer hardware and software products. They work with customers to identify their needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. This course may be useful for a career as a Sales Engineer by teaching you the basics of computer architecture and how to use the RISC-V architecture to design and develop computer hardware and software products.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for the development and execution of marketing campaigns. They work on a variety of projects, from small personal campaigns to large enterprise campaigns. This course may be useful for a career as a Marketing Manager by teaching you the basics of computer architecture and how to use the RISC-V architecture to design and develop marketing campaigns.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes and develop solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness. They work on a variety of projects, from small personal projects to large enterprise projects. This course may be useful for a career as a Business Analyst by teaching you the basics of computer architecture and how to use the RISC-V architecture to design and develop business analysis tools.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for the planning, execution, and completion of projects. They work on a variety of projects, from small personal projects to large enterprise projects. This course may be useful for a career as a Project Manager by teaching you the basics of computer architecture and how to use the RISC-V architecture to design and develop project management tools.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager