UNIT-4: MICROPROGRAMMED

CONTROL
1. Introduction to Control Memory (4.1)

Control Unit
Control Memory
Control Word
Microinstruction
Microprogram
Control Memory
Control Address Register
2. Microprogrammed Control Unit Organization (4.1)

3. Types of Control Units (4.1)

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 1-Introduction to Control Memory
Microprogrammed Control Unit
CAR: Control Address Register
Memory Instruction code CDR: Control Data Register

Next Address .
Control Decoding Control
Generator CAR CDR .
Circuit signals
(sequencer) Memory

Control Unit-:
• The function of the control unit in a digital computer is to initiate the sequence
of microoperations. During any given time, certain microoperations are to be
initiated, while others remain idle. The types of control unit are
Hardwired Control Unit
Microprogrammed Control Unit

The computer that employs a microprogrammed control unit will have two
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separate memories: A main memory and a control memory
 1-Introduction to Control Memory
CONTROL MEMORY –
• Control memory holds a fixed microprogram that can not be altered
by the occasional user.

• The microprogram consists of microinstructions (or control word) that

specifies various internal control signals or control variables for
execution of register microoperations

• Microinstructions
– Microinstructions or Control words stored in control memory
– Specify control signals or variables for execution of microoperation
• Control Signals or Control Variables
– Binary signals or variables (0’s or 1’s) in the control word specify
microoperations

Control word: The control variables or control signals at any given time can
be represented by a string of 1’s and 0’s called a control word 3
 1-Introduction to Control Memory
• Read-only memory (ROM)
• Content of word in ROM at given address specifies
microinstruction
• Each computer instruction initiates series of
microinstructions (microprogram) in control memory
• These microinstructions generate microoperations to
– Fetch instruction from main memory
– Evaluate effective address
– Execute operation specified by instruction
– Return control to fetch phase for next instruction

Control
Address Control word
memory
(microinstruction)
(ROM)
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Microprogrammed Control Organization
External Next Address Control
input CAR CDR Control
Generator Memory word
(sequencer) (ROM)

• Control memory
– Contains microprograms (set of microinstructions)
– Microinstruction contains
• Bits initiate microoperations
• Bits determine address of next microinstruction
• Control address register (CAR)
– Specifies address of next microinstruction
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Microprogrammed Control Organization
External Next Address Control
input CDR Control
Generator CA Memory word
(sequencer) R (ROM)

• Next address generator (microprogram

sequencer)
– Determines address sequence for control memory
• Microprogram sequencer functions
– Increment CAR by one
– Transfer external address into CAR
– Load initial address into CAR to start control
operations
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Microprogrammed Control Organization
External Next Address Control
input CDR Control
Generator CAR Memory word
(sequencer) (ROM)

• Control data register (CDR)- or pipeline register

– Holds microinstruction read from control memory
– Allows execution of microoperations specified by control
word simultaneously with generation of next
microinstruction

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Microprogrammed Control Organization

• Control unit can operate without CDR

External Next Address Control

input CAR Control
Generator Memory word
(sequencer) (ROM)

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 Control Unit Implementation (Types
of Control unit
• Hardwired
Memory Instruction code

Combinational . Control
Sequence Counter
Logic Circuits . signals

• Microprogrammed
CAR: Control Address Register
Memory Instruction code CDR: Control Data Register

Next Address Decoding . Control

Generator CA Control CDR
Memory Circuit . signals
(sequencer) R

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 Assignment Questions

Q1 Define Microinstruction and Micro program and

Control Memory(6)
Q2 What are various ways in which the control unit
can be implemented ? Which one is better and
why?(8)
Q3 What is the role of CAR in microprogrammed
control memory?(4)
Q4 How control unit plays an important role in
CPU architecture?(5)
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