Computer Science Department Achieves Outstanding Results Again in National College Student Computer System Competence Competition - Tsinghua University
**Abstract:** On September 12, Tsinghua University's news outlet reported significant achievements by the university's Computer Science Department in the Eighth "Loongson Cup" National College Student Computer System Ability Competition—Processor Design Track, held at Chongqing University of Technology. The "JIT" (Just In Time) team, comprising Li Zengyu, Yue Zhangqiao, Zhang Zuoyuan from the Computer Science Department, and Zhao Hanyuan from the Software College, won the sole Grand Prize. This marks the fourth consecutive year Tsinghua has claimed the top honor in this competition. The team was guided by researchers and faculty members Chen Kang and Lu Youyou, as well as instructors Li Shanshan and Zheng Ninghan from the Computer Science Department's Basic and Experimental Teaching Section. Graduate students Chen Jiajie, Gao Huanang, and Liu Mingdao provided technical support. The "JIT" team's design was based on Loongson's 32-bit LoongArch baseline architecture. They successfully implemented an advanced out-of-order 5-issue processor on the competition's FPGA development board, featuring a mainstream TAGE-SC-L branch predictor. The processor achieved an Instruction Per Cycle (IPC) of 1.14, a 1.53 IPC acceleration ratio compared to the official performance baseline, and a total acceleration ratio of 3.24. Additionally, the team successfully ran an X-based desktop environment on the 32-bit LoongArch architecture, enabling USB keyboard and mouse operations. They also provided the latest U-Boot 2024.07 support for the 32-bit LoongArch and successfully ported Python3 to run the Django Web framework. The competition attracted 110 teams from universities across the country, with 32 teams advancing to the final round. Prizes included one Grand Prize, two First Prizes, six Second Prizes, and 27 Third Prizes. In another notable achievement, from August 28 to September 2, Tsinghua University teams excelled in the Fourth National College Student System Ability Competition—Operating System Design Track and the Fifth National College Student System Ability Competition—Compiler System Design Track (Huawei Bisong Cup) during the national finals. The "Jin Bo Teacher yyds" team, consisting of Zheng Youjie and Zhu Yi, both from the Computer Science Department and guided by Associate Professor Chen Yu, won the First Prize in the Operating System Design Track. Their winning project utilized the Rust programming language to create a modular operating system kernel that supports the execution of Linux applications, catering to diverse smart systems like robots and embedded devices. Additionally, teams "NotNull," "return_0;" and "World's Cutest Fuyuki," also guided by Chen Yu, secured Second Prizes in both the Operating System Design Track and the Compiler System Design Track (Huawei Bisong Cup). Graduate students Jia Yuekai and Fan Ruwen contributed technical guidance. The Operating System Design Track began in February and lasted for 200 days, with nearly 600 teams participating, and about 200 advancing to the finals. Twelve teams were awarded the top prize of First Prize after multiple rounds of rigorous evaluation. The Compiler System Design Track (Huawei Bisong Cup), which started in April, spanned 120 days, with nearly 200 teams competing and approximately 70 making it to the finals. Four teams received First Prizes, and ten teams were awarded Second Prizes after thorough assessments. The National College Student Computer System Ability Competition is the only national-level contest focused on processor, operating system, and compiler design, aiming to foster innovative talent in computer systems. Initiated by the Computer Science and Technology Professional Teaching Guidance Committee of the Ministry of Education and the System Ability Cultivation Research Expert Group, the competition includes several tracks such as the Operating System Design Track, the Processor Design Track (Loongson Cup), and the Compiler System Design Track (Huawei Bisong Cup). The ultimate goal is to cultivate high-end talent capable of independently designing general-purpose CPUs, operating system cores, and compilers. **Key Elements:** - **Event:** Eighth "Loongson Cup" National College Student Computer System Ability Competition—Processor Design Track, Fourth National College Student System Ability Competition—Operating System Design Track, and Fifth National College Student System Ability Competition—Compiler System Design Track (Huawei Bisong Cup). - **Winners:** - "JIT" team (Grand Prize in Processor Design Track) - "Jin Bo Teacher yyds" team (First Prize in Operating System Design Track) - "NotNull," "return_0;" and "World's Cutest Fuyuki" teams (Second Prizes in Operating System and Compiler System Design Tracks) - **Institutions:** - Tsinghua University Computer Science Department - Tsinghua University Software College - Chongqing University of Technology (host of the Processor Design Track) - **Time Frame:** - Processor Design Track: August 28 to September 2 - Operating System Design Track: February to September 2 - Compiler System Design Track (Huawei Bisong Cup): April to September 2 - **Participants:** 110 teams in the Processor Design Track, nearly 600 teams in the Operating System Design Track, and nearly 200 teams in the Compiler System Design Track. - **Prizes:** - Processor Design Track: 1 Grand Prize, 2 First Prizes, 6 Second Prizes, 27 Third Prizes - Operating System Design Track: 12 First Prizes - Compiler System Design Track (Huawei Bisong Cup): 4 First Prizes, 10 Second Prizes **Summary:** Tsinghua University's Computer Science Department and Software College have once again demonstrated their prowess in the National College Student Computer System Ability Competition. The "JIT" team's innovative processor design and the "Jin Bo Teacher yyds" team's modular operating system kernel using Rust highlight the department's commitment to fostering high-end talent capable of designing advanced computer systems. These achievements underscore Tsinghua's leading role in computer science education and research, contributing to the development of next-generation computing technologies.
