MICROPROGRAMMED CONTROL

Microprogrammed Control
• Control Organization
• Hardwired v/s Microprogrammed
• Some Important Terms ( Control word , Micro-
routine , etc. )
• Basic Organization of Microprogrammed Control
• Functions of Microprogrammed control
• Microprogrammed Routine
• Microinstruction Format
• Microprogram Example
 Control Organization
There are two major types of control organization:
1. hardwired control :In the hardwired organization,
the control logic is implemented with gates, flip-flops,
decoders, and other digital circuits. It has the
advantage that it can be optimized to produce a fast
mode of operation.
2. microprogrammed control :In the microprogrammed
organization, the control information is stored in a
control memory. The control memory is programmed
to initiate the required sequence of microoperations.
 HARDWIRED V/S MICROPROGRAMMED
HARDWIRED CONTROL UNIT MICROPROGRAMMED CONTROL UNIT

A unit that uses combinational logic units , A unit that contains microinstructions in the
featuring a finite number of gates that can control memory to produce control signals.
generate specific results based on the
instructions that were used to invoke those
responses.
Speed of operations is fast. Speed of operations is slow because it requires
frequent memory accesses.
To do modifications, the entire unit should be Modifications can be implemented by changing
redesigned. the microinstructions in the control memory.
More costly to implement. Less costly to implement.
It is difficult to handle complex instructions. It is easier to handle complex instructions.
It is difficult to perform instruction decoding. Less difficult to perform instruction decoding.
Uses a small instruction set. Uses a large instruction set.
There is no control memory usage. Uses control memory.
Used in processor that use a simple instruction Used in processors based on a complex
set known as the Reduced Instruction Set instruction set known as Complex Instruction
Computers (RISK). Set Computer (CISK).
Some Important Terms
Control Word : A control word is a word whose
individual bits represent various control signals.
Micro-routine : A sequence of control words
corresponding to the control sequence of a machine
instruction constitutes the micro-routine for that
instruction.
Micro-instruction : Individual control words in this
micro-routine are referred to as microinstructions.
Micro-program : A sequence of micro-instructions is
called a micro-program, which is stored in a ROM or
RAM called a Control Memory (CM).
Control Store : the micro-routines for all instructions in
the instruction set of a computer are stored in a special
memory called the Control Store.
Fig.1. Basic Organization of Microprogrammed Control
 Basic organization of microprogrammed
control
Control memory
 Contains microprograms (set of microinstructions)
 Microinstruction contains
• Bits initiate microoperations
• Bits determine address of next microinstruction
Control address register (CAR)
 Specifies address of next microinstruction
Next address generator (microprogram sequencer)
 Determines address sequence for control memory
Microprogram sequencer functions
 Increment CAR by one
 Transfer external address into CAR
 Load initial address into CAR to start control operations
Fig.2. Function of Microprogrammed Control Unit
 Functions of micro-programmed control
The sequence logic unit specifies the address of the control
memory word that is to be read, in the Address Register of
the Control Memory. It also issues the READ signal.
The desired control memory word is read into control
memory Buffer Register.
The content of the control memory buffer register is
decoded to create control signals and next-address
information for the sequencing logic unit.
The sequencing logic unit finds the address of the next
control word on the basis of the next-address information
from the decoder and the ALU flags.
 Microprogrammed Routine
 Routine : Group of microinstructions stored in control
memory
 Each computer instruction has its own microprogram
routine to generate microoperations that execute the
instruction
 Subroutine : Sequence of microinstructions used by other
routines to accomplish particular task
 Example : Subroutine to generate effective address of
operand for memory reference instruction
 Subroutine register (SBR) : Stores return address during
subroutine call
Fig.3.Microinstruction Format
 Microinstruction Format
To execute this microinstruction , turn on all the
control lines indicated by a 1 bit; leave
off all control lines indicated by a 0 bit.
The resulting control signals will cause one or more
micro- operations to be performed.
If the condition indicated by the condition bits is
false, execute the next microinstruction
In sequence
Else the next microinstruction to be executed is
indicated in the address field.
 Microprogram Example

MUX
10 0
AR
Address Memory
10 0 2048 x 16
PC

MUX

15 0
6 0 6 0 DR
SBR CAR

Control memory Arithmetic