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IFT 212 Data Path and Control Unit Design

The document discusses CPU design, focusing on the data path and control unit, detailing their components and functions. It explains the interaction between the data path and control unit in instruction execution and compares hardwired and microprogrammed control unit designs. Key considerations for design include performance, flexibility, complexity, and scalability, with examples from RISC and CISC processors.

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4 views10 pages

IFT 212 Data Path and Control Unit Design

The document discusses CPU design, focusing on the data path and control unit, detailing their components and functions. It explains the interaction between the data path and control unit in instruction execution and compares hardwired and microprogrammed control unit designs. Key considerations for design include performance, flexibility, complexity, and scalability, with examples from RISC and CISC processors.

Uploaded by

xavierzagby2001
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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 Topic: CPU Design - Data Path and Control Unit

Learning Outcomes:
Understand the components and functionality of the data path.
Explain the role of the control unit in CPU operation.
Describe the interaction between the data path and control unit.
Analyze hardwired and microprogrammed control unit designs.
Introduction to Data Path and Control Unit

• Data Path: The data path is the collection of functional units (e.g.,
ALU, registers, buses) that perform data processing and transfer
operations.

• Control Unit: The control unit generates control signals that


coordinate the activities of the data path and other CPU components.

• Interaction: The control unit uses the instruction opcode and timing
signals to generate control signals that operate the data path.
Components of the Data Path
• The data path consists of the following key components:
1. Registers:
1. Store data temporarily during processing.
2. Examples: Program Counter (PC), Instruction Register (IR), General-Purpose Registers (R0, R1, etc.).
2. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU):
1. Performs arithmetic (e.g., ADD, SUB) and logical (e.g., AND, OR) operations.
3. Buses:
1. Data Bus: Transfers data between components.
2. Address Bus: Transfers memory addresses.
3. Control Bus: Transfers control signals.
4. Multiplexers (MUX):
Select between multiple input sources for a single output.
5. Memory Unit:
Stores instructions and data.
6. Program Counter (PC):
Holds the address of the next instruction to be executed.
7. Instruction Register (IR):
Holds the current instruction being executed.
Data Path Operation
• Instruction Execution Cycle:
• Fetch:
• The PC sends the address of the next instruction to memory.
• The instruction is fetched and stored in the IR.
• Decode:
• The control unit decodes the instruction opcode.
• Execute:
• The control unit generates control signals to operate the data path.
• The ALU performs the required operation.
• Writeback:
• The result is written to a register or memory.
• Example: Executing an ADD instruction:
• Fetch the instruction.
• Decode the opcode and operands.
• Read operands from registers.
• Perform addition using the ALU.
• Write the result to the destination register.
Control Unit Design
• The control unit generates control signals based on the instruction
opcode and timing signals. It can be implemented in two ways:
A. Hardwired Control
• Definition: Control signals are generated using combinational logic
circuits.
• Design:
• Logic gates, decoders, and encoders are used to generate control signals.
• The control logic is fixed and optimized for speed.
• Advantages:
• Fast operation.
• Efficient for simple instruction sets.
• Disadvantages:
• Inflexible; difficult to modify or extend.
• Complex to design for large instruction sets.
Control Unit Design

B. Microprogrammed Control
• Definition: Control signals are generated using a sequence of
microinstructions stored in control memory.
• Design:
• Control memory (ROM) stores microinstructions.
• A microprogram counter (MPC) sequences through the microinstructions.
• Each microinstruction specifies the control signals for one clock cycle.
• Advantages:
• Flexible and easy to modify or extend.

• Suitable for complex instruction sets.


• Disadvantages:
• Slower than hardwired control due to memory access delays.
• Requires additional hardware (control memory, MPC).
Interaction Between Data Path and Control Unit
• The control unit generates control signals based on the instruction opcode
and timing signals.
• These signals are applied to the data path to:
• Select operands (e.g., using multiplexers).
• Enable registers (e.g., for reading or writing).
• Control ALU operations (e.g., ADD, SUB).
• Manage memory access (e.g., read/write).
• Example: Executing a LOAD instruction:
• Control signals enable the memory address to be placed on the address
bus.
• Control signals enable the memory data to be read into a register.
Design Considerations
• Performance:
• Minimize the number of clock cycles per instruction.
• Optimize the data path for critical operations.
• Flexibility:
• Support a wide range of instructions and addressing modes.
• Complexity:
• Balance hardware complexity with functionality.
• Scalability:
• Design for future extensions (e.g., new instructions).
Real-World Examples
• RISC Processors:
• Use hardwired control for simplicity and speed.
• Example: ARM processors.
• CISC Processors:
• Use microprogrammed control for flexibility.
• Example: Intel x86 processors.
So you do not forget!
• The data path consists of functional units (e.g., ALU, registers, buses) that
perform data processing and transfer operations.
• The control unit generates control signals to coordinate the activities of the data
path.
• Hardwired control uses combinational logic for fast, fixed control signal
generation.
• Microprogrammed control uses a sequence of microinstructions stored in control
memory for flexible control signal generation.
• The interaction between the data path and control unit is critical for instruction
execution.

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