Microprogramming Techniques Research Articles

Microprogramming instruction systolic arrays

The instruction systolic array (ISA) is a programmable parallel architecture suitable for VLSI implementation. This paper presents a generalization of the ISA, called the microprogrammed ISA, which uses simple microprogramming techniques. Microprogrammed ISAs use dynamic microcodes whose length and contents are tailor made to the current program to be executed, and this can be efficiently implemented in VLSI. Here, microprogramming has the novel advantage of extending the range of algorithms that can be implemented on a given ISA. In particular, microprogramming can extend an ISA's effective communication abilities. Also, the reduction of the program input bandwidth (and pinout) afforded by microprogramming is even more important on large-scale MIMD architectures, such as the ISA. This paper also presents a weakest precondition semantics for the (microprogrammed) ISA model, which provides a means for verifying microprogrammed ISA programs. The semantics is modeled at the micro level, and has potential in the optimization of the microcodes of ISA programs.

Microprogramming techniques in front-end processors of the PROTEO Digital Switching System

The Proteo transit exchange is a modern integrated switching system with a PCM switching network and a control structured in the following three hierarchical levels: • - the first level, responsible for the scanning, signalling pre-processing and translation; • - the second level dedicated to call handling, switching control and system recovery; • - the third level performing operation and maintenance tasks. The first control level is realized by several front-end processors (FEP's), specialized for telephone functions. The FEP's are located in TN16 between the switching network and the second control level (named Central Control), which consists of two parallel telephone oriented computers. The paper discusses the telephone requirements and describes an optimal partitioning of hardware, firmware and software for each type of FEP. Particular emphasis has been given to the microprogramming techniques adopted in the various control architectures. The choice of a particular architecture depends on the application. An other topic discussed in the paper is reliability which in telephone switching is required at a high degree; all the FEP's are provided with on-line diagnostic programs in order to detect faults and to perform system recovery.

Teaching bit-slice microprocessor applications using simulation techniques

A case is often made for a greater emphasis on microprogramming techniques at an undergraduate level, particularly in view of the ephemeral nature of fixed instruction set microprocessors. However, the basic principles involved in the design of modern computing machines may be more clearly understood when considered in terms of bit-slice microprocessors. The success of this teaching approach is heavily dependent on the nature of the teaching aids available to the student for the execution of microprogramming exercises. A minicomputer-based interactive digital system simulator is described with a suite of routines for the modelling of a comprehensive range of bit and word processing logic elements and includes models of devices from a widely available bit-slice component family.

Parallel processing on minicomputers: A powerful tool for quantum chemistry

AbstractIt is shown that performance of quantum chemistry program systems on minicomputers may be enhanced by a factor between 2.5 and 2.8 utilizing microprogramming techniques and a computer architecture allowing four processor activities to operate in parallel, i.e., memory access, basic arithmetic operations, and two high‐speed 64‐bit floating‐point arithmetic units.

Microprogrammed Control for Specialized Processors

Several microprogramming techniques suitable for the control of specialized processors are presented. The controllers are developed by restricting the next state function of a classical Moore machine, and by using microprogramming in their implementation The concept is well matched to applications which do not require complex branching logic, and is optimized for efficient implementation with commercially available integrated circuits. These are demonstrated by an example controller which illustrates the concept.

Bit-slice microprocessors—their use and application in minicomputers

Although the effort necessary to develop an effective bit-slice-microprocessor microprogrammed design initially seems significant, the benefits far outweigh the investment. After microprogramming techniques are developed, new applications become much easier to accomplish. Although a designer may have to learn new methods, once mastered, a very powerful design tool can be applied to solving complex data processing or control communication systems

Symposium: Hardware innovation and utilization

A tutorially structured symposium is being presented by professionals in various fields of computer technology. The symposium develops the theme of effective utilization of computer-related hardware in papers describing (a) elementary hardware logic design, (b) microcomputer and microcontroller design and applications, and (c) microprogramming techniques and applications.