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Control Unit

The document discusses computer architecture and organization, specifically focusing on control units. It defines the control unit as the part of the CPU that directs operations. The control unit coordinates data movement and controls execution units like the ALU. There are two main types of control units: hardwired and microprogrammable. Hardwired control units generate signals using logic circuits while microprogrammable units use stored microinstructions. Microprogrammable control units are more flexible but slower.

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48 views16 pages

Control Unit

The document discusses computer architecture and organization, specifically focusing on control units. It defines the control unit as the part of the CPU that directs operations. The control unit coordinates data movement and controls execution units like the ALU. There are two main types of control units: hardwired and microprogrammable. Hardwired control units generate signals using logic circuits while microprogrammable units use stored microinstructions. Microprogrammable control units are more flexible but slower.

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Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Computer Architecture & Organization

CONTROL UNIT
Introduction

• A processor is composed of Datapath and control unit.


• Datapath of a processor is the execution unit such as ALU, shifter,
registers and their interconnects.
• Control unit is considered to be the most complex part of a processor.
• Its function is to control various units in the Datapath.
• Control unit realizes the behavior of a processor as specified by its
micro operations.
• The performance of control unit is crucial as it determines the clock
cycle of the processor.
Introduction

Control Unit is the part of the computer’s central processing unit (CPU), which directs the
operation of the processor.
It is the responsibility of the Control Unit to tell the computer’s memory, arithmetic/logic
unit and input and output devices how to respond to the instructions that have been sent to
the processor.
The functions that a control unit performs are dependent on the type of CPU because the
architecture of CPU varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Examples of devices that
require a CU are:
- Control Processing Units(CPUs)
- Graphics Processing Units(GPUs)
Components of a Control Unit

The components of this unit are instruction , control signals within the CPU, control signals
to/from the bus, control bus, input flags, and clock signals.

The components of the Hardwired control unit are instruction register (contains opcode and
address field), timing unit, control state , control signal generation matrix, and instruction
decoder.
The components of the Micro programmed control unit are the next address generator, a
control address register, control memory, and control data register.
Components of a Control Unit
How Does Control Unit work?

• A control unit receives data from the user and translates it into
control signals that are subsequently delivered to the central
processor.
• The processor of the computer then instructs the associated
hardware on what operations to do.
• Because CPU architecture differs from manufacturer to
manufacturer, the functions performed by a control unit in a
computer are dependent on the CPU type.
Functions of the Control Unit

1. It coordinates the sequence of data movements into, out of, and between a processor’s many sub-units.

2. It interprets instructions.

3. It controls data flow inside the processor.

4. It receives external instructions or commands to which it converts to sequence of control signals.

5. It controls many execution units (i.e. ALU, data buffers and registers) contained within a CPU.

6. It also handles multiple tasks, such as fetching, decoding, execution handling and storing results.
Types of the Control Unit

There are two types of control units:


1) Hardwired control unit
2)Micro programmable control unit.
1. Hardwired Control Unit

• The control signals are generated by specially designed hardware logical


circuits.
• we cannot modify the signal generation method without physical change of
the circuit structure.
• The operation code of an instruction contains the basic data for control signal
generation.
• In the instruction decoder, the operation code is decoded.
• The instruction decoder constitutes a set of many decoders that decode
different fields of the instruction opcode.
1. Hardwired Control Unit
1. Hardwired Control Unit

Hard‐wired Control Unit‐advantages


1.Minimizes the average number of clock cycles needed per instruction
2.occupies a relatively small area (typically 10%) of the CPU chip area
3.High efficiency in terms of operation speed
4.is to minimize cost of the circuit
Problems With Hard Wired Control Unit Designs
5.Complex sequencing & micro‐operation logic
6.Difficult to design and test •Inflexible design
7.Large design turn around time for complex design
8.Difficult to add new instructions
2. Micro programmable control unit

• The fundamental difference between these unit structures and the structure of the
hardwired control unit is the existence of the control store.
• the control store is used for storing words containing encoded control signals
mandatory for instruction execution.
• The Microprogrammed Control organization is implemented by using the
programming approach.
• In Microprogrammed Control, the micro-operations are performed by executing a
program consisting of micro-instructions.
2. Micro programmable control unit
2. Micro programmable control unit

Micro‐programmed Control Unit Advantages

1. Flexible and allows designers to incorporate new and more powerful instructions
2. allows any design errors discovered during the prototyping stage to be removed
Microprogrammed Control Unit Disadvantages

1. requires several clock cycles to execute each instruction, due to the access time of

the microprogram memory

2. Occupies a large portion (typically 55%) of the CPU chip area


Comparison between CU Structures

Hardwired Control Unit Microprogrammed Control Unit


generates control signals using logic circuits Generates control signals using micro instructions

Faster Slower

Difficult to modify Easy to modify

More costlier Less costlier

It cannot handle complex instructions It can handle complex instructions

Only limited number of instructions are used Control signals for many instructions can be generated

Used in computer that uses Reduced Instruction Set (RISC) Used in computer that uses Complex Instruction (CISC)
Conclusion

In summary:

• The CPU is a crucial component in modern computing, and its performance has

a significant impact on a computer's overall speed and efficiency.

• The development of specialized processors highlights the importance of

optimizing hardware for specific workloads and applications.

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