Welcome!
Create a RISC-V CPU with modern open source circuit design tools, methodologies, and microarchitecture, all from your browser.
Training Course
Building a RISC-V CPU Core (LFD111x)
Who Is It For
This course is designed for anyone with a technical inclination who is interested in learning more about hardware. Whether you are new to digital logic or are a seasoned veteran, students will take away new skills that can be applied immediately. No prior knowledge of digital logic design is required.
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What You’ll Learn
This is a crash course in digital logic design and basic CPU microarchitecture. Using the Makerchip online integrated development environment (IDE), you will implement everything from logic gates to a simple, but complete, RISC-V CPU core. You will be amazed by what you can do using freely-available online tools for open source development. You will familiarize yourself with a number of emerging technologies supporting an open-source hardware ecosystem, including RISC-V, Transaction-Level Verilog, and the online Makerchip IDE.
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What It Prepares You For
This course is a hands-on experience with RISC-V and modern circuit design tools. You will walk away with fundamental skills for a career in logic design, and you will position yourself on the forefront by learning to use the emerging Transaction-Level Verilog language extension (even if you don’t already know Verilog).
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Welcome!
Chapter 1. Learning Platform
Chapter 2. Digital Logic
Chapter 3. The Role of RISC-V
Chapter 4. RISC-V-Subset CPU
Chapter 5. Completing Your RISC-V CPU
Final Exam (verified track only)
Prerequisites
Jul 2024
This is by far the best online course that I have ever come across. The content is well prepared, and takes the trainee one step at a time to the very end. The TLV tool and the entire framework is spectacular to say the least. Overall, I really appreciate the effort the instructor and the team has put forth preparing this material and the tool, and making it open for the public to learn. Sincere gratitude to them.
Jul 2024
It is not easy to offer a complete hands-on course online. However, this course has set a benchmark for others as to how to make a robust web-based tool framework as a sandbox, in the best possible way. What I liked the most was the availability of the expected output (solution) without making the code visible. This helped me to debug my code by stepping through the expected solution.
Jun 2024
This course has been outstanding. It helped me match the ISA to the implementation and understand the differences between RISC-V and ARM, particularly in terms of simplified core implementation. The tools associated with the course are excellent as well. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in RISC-V design.
Jun 2024
The step-by-step guidance for implementing an RV32I core was very helpful, and it allowed me to learn and debug mistakes effectively.
Jun 2024
This course gave me a solid, hands-on understanding of CPU design. The interactive exercises and simulations were very helpful. Access to real-world examples and reference solutions made it easier to grasp CPU design principles. The focus on version control and collaborative development was practical and relevant. Overall, this course provided valuable skills and boosted my career prospects in computer design.
Jun 2024
It was a really well-made course that helped me understand RISC-V!
Jun 2024
I liked learning about the RISC-V processor, the assignments were great, and getting familiar with the Waveform tool was beneficial.
May 2024
A very useful course for “Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI)” aspirants.
May 2024
The goal of assembling a complete RISC-V CPU core was an excellent motivator throughout the course.
Apr 2024
The course perfectly balanced presenting challenges with clear explanations while not giving away the answers, allowing me to figure out the details on my own.
Apr 2024
Detailed written lessons and resources were provided to help when I encountered difficulties.
Apr 2024
The content is great for understanding the RISC-V architecture.
Apr 2024
The best part was that the basics of TL-Verilog and RISC-V architecture were taught in a simplified manner.
Apr 2024
The course was straightforward but covered all the basics of RISC-V architecture.
Mar 2024
The best course to get started with RISC-V core and Makerchip platform as well.
Mar 2024
Practical experience that can help boost resume for future internship opportunities, also giving an insight into how complex and exciting developing a cpu core can be.
Feb 2024
Seeing the core come together quite quickly at the end was really cool. Implementing the "insert instruction" and then actually filling out the logic was very satisfying.
Feb 2024
It was straight to the point and focused only on the essentials. Great if you have some background in CPU/RISC architectures.
Feb 2024
The content is difficult enough to keep you interested but not hard enough to generate frustration. I really enjoy it.
Jan 2024
Clear step-by-step directions that allow us to get a deep understanding of the design of a RISC-V CPU.
Jan 2024
The best thing about the course is that it follows a step-by-step procedure before continuing with a new topic, and it incrementally builds the processor, which facilitates the learning.
Jan 2024
I enjoyed just how focused it was, easy to follow, and free of any non-related nonsense. I've taken lots of courses, and this was possibly the best one ever.
Aug 2023
The hands on implementation possible with Makerchip IDE is fantastic, and allows us to quickly go through the implementation.
Jul 2023
I liked being able to run everything for free, with no setup. Extremely impressive!
Jun 2023
I really liked learning about the basics of TL-Verilog. I was planning on learning Verilog, so this introduction was really appreciated, thank you!
Jun 2023
Web IDE is very nice to experiment with, the concepts and visualizations were really helpful towards quickly understanding what to do.
Apr 2023
Really a great course, rather than just teaching concepts, it also encourages students to build the whole system hands-on. The step-by-step guide is really helpful and detailed. Many thanks again, for preparing this fruitful and meaningful journey to all those who are interested in RISC, really a great job.
$0
Course only
Online, Self Paced
5-7 Hours of Course Material
Hands-on Labs & Assignments
Discussion Forums
7 Weeks of Free Access to Online Course
Optional Paid Certificate of Completion
