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An automatic migration scheme based on modular microcode and structured firmware sequencing

Published:01 December 1984Publication History
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Abstract

The aim of this work is to construct an automated migration system from software into firmware for functions or algorithms with complex logical structure. The approach is based on an already developed structured microcontrol scheme endowed with compound sequencing capabilities suitable for modular microprogramming. The basic idea is to extract, via compilation techniques, the sequencing structure of the function. This is expressed into complex firmware sequencing constructs such as modular calls and modular loops. Migration is then effected by sequence calls into microcode modules interpreting a target machine architecture on which the function is tested. The migration technique is implemented in a simulated environment consisting of several firmware design tools. The system has the option to produce firmware code suitable for PLA embodiment, thus facilitating function migration into VLSI microcode.

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          • Published in

            cover image ACM SIGMICRO Newsletter
            ACM SIGMICRO Newsletter  Volume 15, Issue 4
            MICRO 17: Proceedings of the Seventeenth Annual Microprogramming Workshop
            Dec. 1984
            302 pages
            ISSN:1050-916X
            DOI:10.1145/384281
            Issue’s Table of Contents
            • cover image ACM Conferences
              MICRO 17: Proceedings of the 17th annual workshop on Microprogramming
              December 1984
              325 pages

            Copyright © 1984 Authors

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            Association for Computing Machinery

            New York, NY, United States

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            • Published: 1 December 1984

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