A BRIEF HISTORY OF MICROPROGRAMME
Microprogramming is a technique to implement the control logic
necessary to execute instructions within a processor. It is based
on the general idea of fetching low-level microinstructions from a
control store and deriving the appropriate control signals to be
active for a single clock cycle, as well as microinstructions from a
control store and deriving the appropriate control signals to be
active for a single clock cycle, as well as microprogram
sequencing information, from each microinstruction. Although
hybrid techniques are now common, microprogramming is
generally contrasted with hardwired implementation techniques.
What is Microprogramming?
Microprogrammimg, process of writing microcode for a
microprocessor. Microcode is low-level code the defines how a
microprocessor should function when it executes machine-
language instructions. Typically, one machine-language
instruction translates into several microcode instructions. On
some computers, the microcode is stored in ROM (read-only
memory) and cannot be modified; on some larger computers, it is
stored in EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory) and
therefore can be replaced with newer versions.
Microprogramming refers to a technique that allows for the
customization and flexibility of the CPU by using microprogramms
stored in control memories. These microprogramms enable the
interpretation of operation codes and oparands, ultimately
enhancing the functionality of assembly level programming. In
the medical field,microprogramming can be utilized to develop
and implement specific subprocedures, allowing for the efficient
sequencing and execution of medical tasks.
Advantages of Microprogramming
1. The main advantage is flexibility.
2. Any change in the control unit can be performed by simply
changing the micro-instruction.
3. Can be easily debugged as compared to hardwired control
unit.
4. Most micro-instructions are executed sequentially, they don’t
require any address field.
5. Reduction of size of control memory.
Disadvantages of Microprogramming
1. Control memory has to be present inside the processor,
therefore increases processor size.
2. This also increases the cost of the processor.
Applications of Microprogramming
Microprogramming has many advantages like flexibility,
simplicity, cost-effectiveness etc.
Therefore, it has a major contributions in the following
applications –
1. Development of control units
Modern processors have very large and complex instruction
sets.
Microprogramming is used for making control units of such
processors, because it is far less complex and can be easily
modified.
2. High level language support
Modern high level languages have more advanced and
complex data types. Microprogramming can provide support
for such data types directly from the processor level.
Therefore, the language becomes easy to compile and also
faster to execute.
3. User tailoring of the control unit
As the control Unit is developed using software, it can be
easily
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