Microprocessor 1: Prolegomena - Calculation and Storage Functions - Models of Computation and Computer Architecture

Since its commercialization in 1971, the microprocessor, a modern and integrated form of the central processing unit, has continuously broken records in terms of its integrated functions, computing power, low costs and energy saving status. Today, it is present in almost all electronic devices. Sound knowledge of its internal mechanisms and programming is essential for electronics and computer engineers to understand and master computer operations and advanced programming concepts. This book in five volumes focuses more particularly on the first two generations of microprocessors, those that handle 4- and 8- bit integers. Microprocessor 1 ? the first of five volumes ? presents the computation function, recalls the memory function and clarifies the concepts of computational models and architecture. A comprehensive approach is used, with examples drawn from current and past technologies that illustrate theoretical concepts, making them accessible.

Table of Contents:
Quotation vii Preface ix Introduction xiii Chapter 1. The Function of Computation 1 1.1. Beginnings 2 1.2. Classes of computers 10 1.3. Analog approach 36 1.4. Hardware–software relationship 37 1.5. Integration and its limits 43 1.6. Conclusion 47 Chapter 2. The Function of Memory 49 2.1. Definition 50 2.2. Related concepts 56 2.2.1. A story of endianness 56 2.2.2. Alignment 56 2.3. Modeling 57 2.4. Classification 59 2.5. Conclusion 61 Chapter 3. Computation Model and Architecture: Illustration with the von Neumann Approach 63 3.1. Basic concepts 64 3.1.1. The idea of a program 64 3.1.2. Control and data flows and mechanisms 65 3.1.3. Models of computation 67 3.1.4. Architectures 72 3.1.5. The semantic gap 80 3.2. The original von Neumann machine 81 3.2.1. von Neumann’s computation model 81 3.2.2. von Neumann’s (machine) architecture 82 3.2.3. Control 89 3.3. Modern von Neumann machines 90 3.3.1. Abstraction level 91 3.3.2. Base execution outline 97 3.3.3. Possible transfers 100 3.3.4. Summary: advantages and disadvantages of this model 102 3.4. Variations on a theme 104 3.4.1. Classification by bus 104 3.4.2. Harvard architectures 111 3.4.3. Parallelism 113 3.5. Instruction set architecture 117 3.5.1. Storage components 118 3.5.2. Data format and type 126 3.5.3. Instruction set 126 3.5.4. Memory model 127 3.5.5. Execution modes 128 3.5.6. Miscellaneous 128 3.6. Basic definitions for this book 128 3.7. Conclusion 129 Conclusion of Volume 1 131 Exercises 133 Acronyms 135 References 153 Index 173