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Micro-Programmed Control

Micro-programmed control uses sequences of micro-instructions stored in control memory to control the operations of the CPU. Each micro-instruction specifies one or a few micro-operations to perform in parallel. The control unit generates control signals based on the micro-instruction read from control memory. It determines the next micro-instruction address based on conditions and loads it to continue the sequence for executing machine code instructions.

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255 views17 pages

Micro-Programmed Control

Micro-programmed control uses sequences of micro-instructions stored in control memory to control the operations of the CPU. Each micro-instruction specifies one or a few micro-operations to perform in parallel. The control unit generates control signals based on the micro-instruction read from control memory. It determines the next micro-instruction address based on conditions and loads it to continue the sequence for executing machine code instructions.

Uploaded by

Arnav Sharma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Micro-programmed Control

Control Unit Organization


Micro-programmed Control
• Use sequences of instructions (see earlier
notes) to control complex operations
• Called micro-programming or firmware
Implementation (1)
• All the control unit does is generate a set
of control signals
• Each control signal is on or off
• Represent each control signal by a bit
• Have a control word for each micro-
operation
• Have a sequence of control words for each
machine code instruction
• Add an address to specify the next micro-
instruction, depending on conditions
Implementation (2)
• Today’s large microprocessor
—Many instructions and associated register-level
hardware
—Many control points to be manipulated
• This results in control memory that
—Contains a large number of words
– co-responding to the number of instructions to be
executed
—Has a wide word width
– Due to the large number of control points to be
manipulated
Micro-program Word Length
• Based on 3 factors
—Maximum number of simultaneous micro-
operations supported
—The way control information is represented or
encoded
—The way in which the next micro-instruction
address is specified
Micro-instruction Types
• Each micro-instruction specifies single (or
few) micro-operations to be performed
— (vertical micro-programming)
• Each micro-instruction specifies many
different micro-operations to be
performed in parallel
—(horizontal micro-programming)
Vertical Micro-programming
• Width is narrow
• n control signals encoded into log2 n bits
• Limited ability to express parallelism
• Considerable encoding of control
information requires external memory
word decoder to identify the exact control
line being manipulated
Horizontal Micro-programming
• Wide memory word
• High degree of parallel operations possible
• Little encoding of control information
Typical Microinstruction Formats
Compromise
• Divide control signals into disjoint groups
• Implement each group as separate field in
memory word
• Supports reasonable levels of parallelism
without too much complexity
Organization of
Control Memory
Control Unit
Control Unit Function
• Sequence login unit issues read command
• Word specified in control address register is read
into control buffer register
• Control buffer register contents generates control
signals and next address information
• Sequence login loads new address into control
buffer register based on next address information
from control buffer register and ALU flags
Next Address Decision
• Depending on ALU flags and control buffer
register
—Get next instruction
– Add 1 to control address register
—Jump to new routine based on jump
microinstruction
– Load address field of control buffer register into
control address register
—Jump to machine instruction routine
– Load control address register based on opcode in IR
Functioning of Microprogrammed
Control Unit
Advantages and Disadvantages of
Microprogramming
• Simplifies design of control unit
—Cheaper
—Less error-prone
• Slower

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