A microprogramming language for the MLP-900

Abstract

This paper describes a language, for programming a microprocessor, which combines the features of assembly languages with those of higher-level languages. The goal of the language design was to provide a convenient microprogramming language for the MLP-900 microprocessor project at USC/Information Sciences Institute. This goal was accomplished by designing a language with careful consideration of the hardware instruction set. Additionally, the language was constrained not to implicitly affect the machine state at runtime. These considerations provided freedom and low-level control for the programmer. The compiler needed some flexibility to allow for higher-level language forms. This flexibility was provided by allowing the language to produce several microinstructions for each language statement. This project is sponsored by the Advanced Research Projects Agency. This work is directed toward an ARPANET-based sharable resource as a means of exploring computer architecture, language development and special purpose processor design, all of which are of particular relevance to DOD selection and use of computer equipment.