An integrated microprocessor support software system

摘要

As the commercial use of microprocessors increases, the need for various support software tools arises. These tools include assemblers to aid in the creation of programs, and digital simulators to aid in their checkout. Raytheon's Automatic Micro Processor Support (RAMPS) system is an integrated set of support software programs designed to take advantage of the microprogrammable aspect of the target processor.

rn

There are three main components of the RAMPS system - a micro-assembler, a macro-assembler, and a digital simulator. In addition there is a control system, through which the user communicates with all parts of the system. RAMPS is designed to be independent of the particular macro-instruction set determined by the micro-program, insofar as is possible. Thus, it is a versatile system which can be used with any of the various macro-instruction sets developed for the target machine.

rn

The RAMPS system is written in FORTRAN and runs on the CDC 6700 computer under the KRONOS 2. 1 Operating System. Designed to support a Raytheon-built microprocessor, its flexibility has already been demonstrated by adaptation to two new, architecturally similar, microprocessors.