5. Microarchitecture and Its Role in Computer System Design
Microarchitecture is the foundational framework that dictates how an instruction set architecture is realized within a processor. It encompasses various components, including datapaths and control units, contributing significantly to performance metrics such as cycles per instruction and power efficiency. The chapter discusses how design variations across processors can optimize for specific goals while addressing the complexities of pipelining and hazards.
Sections
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What we have learnt
- Microarchitecture defines how an ISA is implemented at the hardware level.
- Effective microarchitecture directly influences CPU performance and power consumption.
- Various components such as datapaths, control units, and pipelines play critical roles in processor design.
Key Concepts
- -- Microarchitecture
- The hardware-level realization of a processor's instruction set architecture.
- -- Datapath
- The collection of components that perform data operations within a processor.
- -- Pipelining
- A technique in microarchitecture that allows multiple instruction stages to overlap in execution.
- -- Hazards
- Conditions that can cause delays or incorrect instruction execution due to dependencies.
- -- Superscalar Architecture
- An architecture that allows multiple instructions to be issued and executed simultaneously.
- -- Design Tradeoffs
- The balancing of performance, power, area, complexity, and cost in microarchitecture.
Additional Learning Materials
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.