Microprogramming concepts - a step towards structured hardware design

Abstract

In microprogrammable systems a special type of interpretive linkage mechanism is used. This linkage mechanism, among all known interpretive techniques, shows the clearest distinction between linkage implementation and the execution mechanisms of semantics. The essentials of interpretation by micro programs may be used as part of a design guideline for the design of a variety of multi processor systems or multi micro processor systems, aiming hereby at more clearly structured design solutions. After a short discussion of the interpretive mechanisms, known from microprogrammable systems, its possible impact on the design philosophies for hardware design in computer architecture, and for integrated hardware/software design efforts, is the subject of this paper. Especially one particular design philosophy, derived from the interpretive mechanism of microprogrammable systems, is discussed, which results in computer architectures in form of a hierarchy of interpretive modules. A few examples are mentioned.