Stanley Habib

Microprogrammed enhancements to higher level languages - an overview

This paper traces the various explorations which have been made to demonstrate the performance improvements which can be obtained by implementing the compiling, translation and execution of higher level languages. In most instances computer architecture is based on instruction set design and much of the high level language implementation is done by software compiling into the instruction set of the machine. During the mid-1960s, several papers dealt with language performance improvements for FORTRAN or ALGOL machines. These discussions generally restricted themselves to a narrow problem in the entire spectrum of compilation problems. None address microprogrammed implementation of I/O functions for example. More recently we see the use of microprogram architecture for special purpose processors such as Fast Fourier Transform machines or array processors; speed ups for basic functions such as arithmetic calculations in Fortran. With the possibility of microroutines to implement basic functions, there was a renewed interest in the Interpretive processes. This points up the need for a high level microprogramming language. We discuss some of the work done in this area. The area which has not yet been fully addressed is to what extent one can utilize microprogram architecture for basic design of an effective high level language machine. In this paper we will outline the earlier work vis a vis language enhancements and then suggest the areas which must be further explored.

ACM Special Interest Group on Microprogramming

As the enclosed news release indicates, Data Saab has merged its interest in medium and large computers with UNIVAC in Scandanavia. The new company will market the medium and large scale products of both Data Saab and UNIVAC.

Digital computer controls inc

The new models of our field proven D-116 minicomputer series are powerful, versatile, and the most cost-effective machines available today.

Notes from industry

OCEANPORT, N.J., SEPT. 25, 1973 -- A 16-bit minicomputer priced at under

Recent abstracts from Euromicro newsletters

2,000.00 in quantities and a 32-bit minicomputer priced at under

New product applications: microprogrammed bipolar microcomputers are assembled from integrated circuit blocks

6,000.00 in quantities, were introduced today by Interdata, Inc.

Abstracts from recent papers

When we have been asked to survey the field of microprocessing and microprogramming in Belgium, first for the Euromicro Meeting in Paris last June and now for the Euromicro Newsletter we faced a certain number of questions. i. What is the exact covering of the field? From the scope of Euromicro, we do not see any reason to limit the survey to microprogrammable processor and to exclude development of (or based to) Intel-like devices. 2. How to make sure to get in touch with all academic institutions and industry group working in the field? As we did not receive any information from industry groups we contact, this survey has been limited to academic institutions. For those who are not mentioned here, Euromicro Newsletter offers a support to update this survey. 3. What degree of details will be more suitable for this survey work? We finally decided to stay at a very global level, By giving in the appendix the addresses of the various institutions mentioned, any interested individual will have the opportunity to get directly much more details than we will be able to provide here. Furthermore~ the existence of Euromicro Newsletter is an open invitation to detailed presentation of original aspects of the works briefly mentioned here, 4. How to present the collected information? The easiest way was by academic institutions. We, however, introduced subheadings, related to the scope of interest of Euromicro which allow to read this survey in a non-sequential way, Microprogran~ning and Microprocessors in Italy

Recent abstracts

The 3000 series of bipolar large-scale integrated (LSI) circuit blocks is designed to meet the needs of data control and communication systems for highspeed programmable logic. A Central Processing Element (CPE) and Microprogram Control Unit (MCU) are the key blocks. The MCU selects microinstructions from a high-speed microprogram memory in the order required to execute higher-level instructions. It contains all the logic for such selections, as well as several other functions that support CPE operations. One MCU is normally required per system, but any number may be used in a multiprocessor system.

Interdata now makes own power supplies

S FROM RECENT PAPERS

Euromicro: the European Association for Microprocessing

Operating systems have been implemented by software in the past. Hardware implementation would chain the system down without flexibility and adaptation possibilities. The advent of firmware (micro~rogramming and available micro-store) circumvents these disadvantages, while offering increased speed over software implementation with potential increases in systems throughput or overall performance. 1 Operating systems had been designed in the past without regard to their implementation method. But if the particular operating system has not been designed already with firmware or hardware implementation in mind, then the formats, operations, and conventions there will preclude efficient operation of the system in the general case. 1W.H. Burkhardt and R.C. Randel, Design of Operating Systems with Microprogramming Implementation, U.S. Department of Commerce, NTIS Report No. 224484, 1973. Designing a Microprogrammed Mini-computer for Emulation