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Questions and Answers
What does the PC supply at the start of instruction execution?
Instruction address
What are the two types of functional units in a processor?
Combinational and Sequential
The ALU operation is controlled by the ALU operation signal.
True
Which of the following instructions belong to the MIPS ISA subset? (Select all that apply)
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What type of access does instruction memory provide?
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The value stored into a destination register for a load instruction comes from __________.
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What does sign extension do in the branch instruction?
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What is the purpose of the ALU in branch instructions?
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What controls when signals can be read and written in a processor?
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Study Notes
Processor Overview
- Program Counter (PC) supplies the instruction address for operations.
- Instruction fetch initiates register operand specification for computations.
- Results from arithmetic logic unit (ALU) or memory are stored back in the register file.
- Branch operations use the ALU to find the next instruction address.
- Buses interconnect functional units, carrying multiple signals.
Functional Units
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Types of Functional Units:
- Combinational: Outputs depend solely on current input.
- Sequential: Outputs depend on current and previous inputs (involves memory).
- Clocking methodology defines signal reading and writing timing, with an edge-triggered approach assumed.
Register File (RF)
- Contains all registers with two read ports and one write port.
- Register write operations require explicit control signal assertion.
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
- ALU's operations are dictated by the ALU operation signal.
- Zero detection output is specifically utilized for branching logic.
Memory System
- Instruction memory facilitates only read access; it does not write instructions.
- Data memory enables both read and write operations, requiring appropriate control signals.
MIPS Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) Subset
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Arithmetic-logic instructions:
add,sub,AND,OR,slt -
Memory reference instructions:
lw(load word),sw(store word) -
Branching instructions:
beq(branch if equal),j(jump)
Instruction Fetching
- Involves retrieving instructions from memory for execution within the processor.
Implementing Instructions
- R-type and memory instructions utilize the ALU, sourcing inputs from two registers.
- Memory instructions leverage ALU for address calculations with sign-extended 16-bit offsets.
- Final results for R-type instructions come either from the ALU or memory outputs.
Branch Instruction (beq) Implementation
- Branching involves computing the target address and comparing register values.
- Requires the ALU for evaluating conditions and a separate adder for calculating the branch target.
- Sign extension is applied to lower 16 bits before shifting for proper word alignment.
Integrating Processor Components
- The MIPS processor integrates functional units, ALU operations, and memory access processes for comprehensive instruction execution.
- Control signals orchestrate the flow of operations and data among interconnected components.
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Description
Explore the fundamentals of computer architecture focusing on key components like the Program Counter, Instruction Fetch, and the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU). This quiz covers the roles of various functional units, the register file, and basic clocking methodologies. Test your understanding of how these elements work together in processing instructions.
