VSD - RISCV : Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) - Part 1a

Explore the exciting world of RISC-V, a free and open-source RISC instruction set architecture! This course, pre-launched with 5 videos, provides a comprehensive introduction to the RISC-V ISA, starting from the fundamentals. Developed originally in the Computer Science division of the EECS Department at the University of California, Berkeley, we'll delve into what makes RISC-V so revolutionary.

Understand why computer architecture is essential and how real-time applications run on computers – with practical examples to illustrate key concepts. The ultimate goal is to equip you with the skills to build robust specifications, the crucial first step in any system design project.

In subsequent courses, you'll learn to translate these specifications into RTL hardware description language using Verilog/VHDL, and then implement them using an open-source EDA toolchain for RTL placement and routing.

This course guides you through the entire specification process, covering everything from signed/unsigned integer representation to the RV64IMFD instruction set. We'll use engaging visuals and real-world examples to make complex concepts accessible. We'll also explore the unique conventions like "IMFD" in a way you won't find anywhere else.

Key topics covered:

• RISC-V ISA Fundamentals: A deep dive into the core principles of RISC-V.
• Computer Architecture Basics: Understanding the role of computer architecture in modern computing.
• Real-Time Systems: How applications operate in real-time environments.
• Specification Development: Learn to create robust and effective system specifications.
• RV64IMFD Instruction Set: A detailed exploration of the RV64IMFD instruction set.
• Verilog/VHDL: Introduction to hardware description languages.
• Open-Source EDA Tools: Using open-source tools for hardware design.

We extend our gratitude to SiFive, the company founded by the creators of the RISC-V ISA, and Prof. David Patterson and his influential book, "Computer Organization And Design - RISCV edition," which significantly informed this course.

Let's unlock the secrets of computers together!