Fundamentals of Computer Architecture

Frontmatter

The Building Blocks

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Introducing The Processor

Abstract

In this chapter we describe the fundamental features of a computer system and focus on the use of the processor.

Mark Burrell

Chapter 2. Fundamental Concepts I — Data Representation

Abstract

In this chapter we cover the key aspects of number representation and arithmetic and logical operations used within digital computers.

Mark Burrell

Chapter 3. Fundamental Concepts II — Digital Electronic Circuits

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the fundamental aspects of digital circuitry that can be used to build the components of a computer system.

Mark Burrell

Chapter 4. Registers

Abstract

This chapter examines the use of registers and describes how they can be built using gate logic.

Mark Burrell

Chapter 5. The ALU

Abstract

In this chapter we discuss the uses of the ALU and show how ALU functionality can be built from gate logic.

Mark Burrell

Chapter 6. Buses

Abstract

This chapter examines how processor components can be linked with the use of buses.

Mark Burrell

Chapter 7. Memory

Abstract

In this chapter we cover the key aspects of memory, how to build it and how to make use of it.

Mark Burrell

Chapter 8. Bringing It All Together — The Hardware Engineer’s Perspective

Abstract

In this chapter we show how a set of registers, a control unit, a memory, buses and an ALU can be combined to form a rudimentary computer system.

Mark Burrell

Using the Processor

Frontmatter

Chapter 9. Writing Structured Programs

Abstract

In this chapter we begin the task of focusing on the programmer’s perspective of our processor system.

Mark Burrell

Chapter 10. Stacks and Subroutines

Abstract

In this chapter we introduce the concept of a stack, and describe how we can make use of stacks, most notably for implementing subroutines.

Mark Burrell

Chapter 11. Addressing Modes

Abstract

We introduce the concept of addressing modes and their particular uses within our assembly language programs.

Mark Burrell

Chapter 12. Input/Output

Abstract

It’s time to allow our processor to talk to the rest of the world, at least in some rudimentary sense. To do this we introduce the concept of I/O.

Mark Burrell

Chapter 13. The Interrupt Mechanism

Abstract

In this chapter we introduce the concept of the interrupt mechanism. We describe an implementation of an interrupt mechanism, and how interrupts can be used within our processor.

Mark Burrell

Chapter 14. Systems Software

Abstract

In this chapter we discuss the tools available to the programmer to aid program development.

Mark Burrell

Chapter 15. Bringing It All Together — The Programmer’s Perspective

Abstract

In the final chapter of this section we take a problem specification and design and write an assembly language program that requires many of the features described in previous chapters.

Mark Burrell

Under The Bonnet

Frontmatter

16. Building An Instruction Set

Abstract

In this first chapter that looks ‘under the bonnet’ we discuss how to build instructions from micro-instructions.

Mark Burrell

17. The Control Unit

Abstract

In this chapter we get to grips with the engine of the processor — the control unit. The use of the control unit is explained, together with how it uses sets of micro-instructions to implement each opcode and run the fetch-execute cycle.

Mark Burrell

18. Extending The Hardware

Abstract

In the final chapter within this section we discuss the possible extensions to our basic design that we could make.

Mark Burrell

The Real World

Frontmatter

19. CISC and RISC Architectures: An Overview

Abstract

This chapter discusses the rise of the CISC architecture and the RISC architecture; it then discusses modern hybrid processor architectures.

Mark Burrell

20. Advanced Architecture Features

Abstract

This final chapter looks at some of the features available in modern processors. All processors have something like our simple processor as their ancestor but are changed out of all recognition by the use of these advanced features to produce more powerful processors.

Mark Burrell

Backmatter