Abstract
We describe a system which allows high-level microprogramming without requiring programmer knowledge of the target architecture, depending instead on retargetable microcode generation and optimization. In the ideal system the code generation, microcode compaction, encoding and simulation are driven by a single description of the target microarchitecture. An initial implementation, which is now working for a real microprogrammable processor, demonstrates the feasibility of the key technologies.
- 1 M.R. Barbacci, et al, "The ISPS Computer Description Language," Carnegie Melton University report no. CMU- cs-79-137, (1979).Google Scholar
- 2 S. Davidson, "High level microprogramming - current usage, future prospects", Proceedings Micro-16, (1983).Google Scholar
- 3 J.A. Fisher, "Trace scheduling: a technique for global microcode compaction," IEEE Transactions on Computers, Vol. C-30, No. 7 (July 1981).Google Scholar
- 4 R.P. Gurd, "Experience developing microcode using a high level language," Proceedings Micro-l& (1983).Google Scholar
- 5 S.C. Johnson, D.M. Ritchie, "Portability of C programs and the UNIX system," The Bell System Technical Journal, Vol. 57, No. 6, (July-August 1978)Google Scholar
Cross Ref
- 6 B.W. Kernighan, D.M. Ritchie, The C Programming Language, Prentice-Hall Software Series, (1978). Google Scholar
Digital Library
- 7 J.L. Linn, "SRDAG compaction - a generalization of trace scheduling to increase the use of global context, information," Proceedings Micro-Id, (1983).Google Scholar
- 8 P. Marwedel, "A Retargetable compiler for a high-level microprogramming language," Proceedings Micro-17, (1984). Google Scholar
Digital Library
- 9 Nanodata Corporation, &M-l Hardware Manual (1975).Google Scholar
- 10 E.W. Reigel, U. Faber, and D.A. Fisher, "The Interpreter - a microprogrammed building block system," AFIPS Conference Proceedings, (1972).Google Scholar
- 11 W.S. Scott, et al., "1985 VLSI Tools: More Works by the Original Artists", Report no. UCB/CSD 85/225, University of California, Berkeley. Google Scholar
Digital Library
Index Terms
Target-independent high-level microprogramming
Recommendations
Target-independent high-level microprogramming
MICRO 18: Proceedings of the 18th annual workshop on MicroprogrammingWe describe a system which allows high-level microprogramming without requiring programmer knowledge of the target architecture, depending instead on retargetable microcode generation and optimization. In the ideal system the code generation, microcode ...
High-level microprogramming: an optimizing C compiler for a processing element of a CAD accelerator
MICRO 23: Proceedings of the 23rd annual workshop and symposium on Microprogramming and microarchitectureThe development of a high-level language compiler for a micro-programmable processing element (PE) in the MARS multicomputer is described. MARS, an MIMD message passing machine, was designed to speed up VLSI CAD and similar other non-numerical ...
Microprogramming: Perspective and Status
The concept of microprogramming has been changing with the development of hardware technology to facilitate dynamic microprogramming and the development of software technology to facilitate user microprogramming. An examination of the status of ...






Comments