Upcoming Event: Oden Institute Event

LASA Computer Science Independent Study Student Presentations

LASA Computer Science Independent Study Students, LASA High School

Abstract

• LALU: A Custom 32-bit Processor and Compilation System

  • Hardware Design – Malcolm Roalson:   LALU is a fully custom 32-bit processor designed from the ground up, featuring a five-stage pipeline, bit-addressable memory, and hardware-level protections for registers and stack separation. It includes a shadow stack for security, custom instructions such as bit slicing and segment reversal, and a multi-level branch prediction system. Peripherals like VGA display and PS/2 keyboard input are memory-mapped and controlled through a driver layer, enabling a complete computing platform on FPGA hardware.

  • Software and Compiler Design – Grant Bell:  To complement the hardware, a dedicated compiler chain was developed, targeting LALU’s unique instruction set through a low-level procedural language (LLPC). LLPC offers custom syntax for bit-level operations, inline assembly, and novel features like bit-packed structs and slice-based memory access. The compiler supports variable-width integers, a simplified calling convention, and optimizations via assumptions and value inference. Together, this software stack makes full use of LALU’s capabilities in a secure, performant environment.

• Quantitative Methods in Phylogenetics - Benjamin Cai:  Applying modern statistical approaches to evolutionary questions and real-world genomic data, this study focuses on methods such as ancestral state reconstruction and Brownian motion modeling. Using Phylogenetic Comparative Methods in R, it combines mathematical theory with implementation, culminating in an applied research project and model-based analysis.

• Modeling Air Resistance in Real-World Projectile Motion - Jackson Edwards: Applying computational methods to simulate projectile trajectories, this presentation explores how air resistance affects motion in realistic scenarios. Using case studies from cycling, ballistics, and sports, it examines drag forces, optimal firing angles, altitude corrections, wind effects, and spin-dependent forces—offering a deeper understanding of atmospheric impacts on motion.

• Principles and Practice of Compiler Construction – Rachit Kakkar: This presentation explores the fundamentals of compiler construction, from parsing and syntax analysis to intermediate representation and optimization. Using a simplified programming language and the LLVM framework, it walks through each stage of compilation with real-world examples and a live demo—highlighting the principles behind modern compiler design and how high-level code becomes machine-executable.