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Today, we’re going to talk about addressing modes. Can anyone tell me what an addressing mode is?
Isn't it the way a computer accesses data in memory?
Exactly! Addressing modes define how the addresses of memory locations are specified in instructions. There are various types we will cover.
What are some examples of these modes?
Great question! Examples include immediate, direct, indirect, and register indirect addressing modes. Let’s explore each one in detail.
Remember the acronym 'DIR' to help you recall - Direct, Immediate, Register. Let's dive deeper!
Why do we need different modes, though?
Different modes allow flexibility in how we access data, enhancing optimization and performance. Let’s move on to the specifics of how these operations unfold step by step.
In immediate addressing mode, the operand is included in the instruction itself. How many steps do we need here?
I think it’s just four steps?
That's right! We’ll fetch the instruction, and in the last step, we directly place the operand into the specified register.
So, it's a more efficient process?
Exactly! Fewer steps mean faster execution. Right, let's recall the steps with the memory aid 'FIR': Fetch, Increment, Register. This helps summarize the immediate mode!
Can we see an example?
Certainly! For instance, let's say we have the instruction LOAD R1, 32. The '32' is the immediate value that goes straight into R1 after fetching!
Now, let’s shift gears to the direct addressing mode. What are the key components we need to manage here?
We start by fetching the instruction and the operand from a specified memory location?
Correct! However, it takes six steps because the address is explicitly stated in the instruction.
What happens in step five again?
In step five, we ensure the memory is ready, and finally, in the sixth step, we load the operand from the memory data register to the desired register.
Let's use the mnemonic 'FIMR LM'—Fetch, Increment, Memory Read, Load Memory—to summarize the direct addressing mode.
Does that mean it’s less efficient than the immediate mode?
Yes, that’s correct! There's an additional memory access step required, making it slower compared to immediate addressing.
Now let’s analyze indirect addressing mode. Who can explain how this works?
We load an address that points to another location. It needs more steps, right?
Exactly! Indirect addressing can take up to seven steps because it accesses two memory locations—one for the address and another for the operand.
What’s the flow here?
First, we fetch the address from the instruction, then we read the operand from memory using that address. This adds more complexity.
Let's remember this with 'AFO' - At First, Operand, indicating how we locate our operand through indirect means.
This sounds like a longer process, so why use it?
Great observation! It provides flexibility, allowing references to dynamic data, which can be critical in complex programs.
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The section delves into the steps involved in instruction execution across various addressing modes, including immediate, direct, and indirect modes. It emphasizes the generation of control signals necessary for these instructions within a single bus architecture.
This section focuses on the essential control instructions and micro instructions utilized in handling different addressing modes within a computer's control unit framework. The section begins by summarizing the importance of control signals generated during the instruction execution process, particularly detailing how they function within a single bus architecture.
The content elaborates on various addressing modes—including immediate, direct, indirect, and register indirect modes—and their unique characteristics. For instance, in the immediate mode, operands are available directly within the instruction, necessitating fewer steps (just 4 micro instructions) for execution. In contrast, the direct mode requires additional steps (6 micro instructions) because the operand must be fetched from a specified memory location indicated in the instruction.
In detail, a comparison is made between the execution of direct and indirect addressing modes, revealing how indirect addressing involves two memory accesses, hence taking more micro instructions (7 steps). This section also articulates the significance of the program counter, memory address register, and the importance of timing signals (e.g., WMFC) in coordinating these operations. Ultimately, the overarching aim is to give learners a comprehensive understanding of how different addressing modes influence the control steps and architecture of instruction processing.
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In this unit, we will be looking at different addressing modes like immediate, direct, indirect, register indirect, and some generic addressing modes, along with the control signals generated.
Addressing modes are methods for identifying the locations of operands in memory. In this section, we'll discuss several types of addressing modes such as immediate, direct, indirect, and register indirect. Each addressing mode has a specific way of referencing the data needed for an instruction. Additionally, we will explore how different control signals are generated for each mode to execute instructions appropriately.
Think of addressing modes like different ways you can describe a friend’s house. For example, you might say, "It's the blue house at 123 Main Street" (direct), or "It's the house at the end of the road that belongs to John" (indirect). Similarly, addressing modes describe how to locate data in memory.
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The first three steps that consist of instruction fetch are similar for all types of instructions. In the first step, the program counter value is loaded into the bus, which is then read into the memory address register.
In instruction fetching, there are three key steps that are consistent regardless of the type of instruction being executed. First, the program counter (PC) sends its value to the bus. This value is then stored in the memory address register (MAR). This means that the CPU is identifying which memory location it needs to read from. Next, the CPU operates in 'read mode', indicating to memory that it intends to fetch data. Finally, the ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) increments the PC by one, preparing for the next instruction.
Imagine you're at a library. You first look up a book's location in the library catalog (the MAR), which tells you which aisle to check. Then, like reading a specific book (fetching), you go to that aisle to find your next book (incrementing your search).
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For a direct instruction, in step 4, we extract the memory location M directly from the instruction register to indicate where to read the operand from memory.
In direct addressing mode, the actual address of the operand is specified directly in the instruction. During step 4, the CPU fetches this memory location (M) from the instruction register (IR) and places it in the memory address register (MAR). The memory is set to read mode, and after a brief wait, the operand located at memory address M is retrieved into the memory data register (MDR). Finally, in step 6, the operand can be transferred to a register for further processing.
Think of direct addressing like a delivery instruction on a package. The address directly tells the delivery person where to go to drop off the package (the operand). It’s straightforward and doesn’t need them to figure out where to look.
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In indirect mode, the memory location M points to another memory address, which contains the operand. Here, we have to access memory twice to get the operand.
In indirect addressing mode, the instruction specifies a memory location (M) which itself contains the address of another memory location where the actual operand resides. The steps are slightly different from direct addressing. First, the register value M is loaded in the MAR. Once the memory address is accessed, the value from that memory location (let's say it yields address 72) is then loaded into the MAR again to fetch the final operand. Thus, this addressing mode requires two memory accesses instead of one.
This is like getting a forwarding address. If you order something to be sent to a friend's house (the first address), but it redirects to another location (the second address). Thus, your item has to go through the first house to get to the final destination.
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In immediate mode, the operand is specified directly in the instruction itself, allowing for the quickest execution with only four micro-operations.
Immediate addressing mode is the simplest type of addressing, where the operand is embedded directly in the instruction. This enables quick execution because fewer steps are required. After fetching the instruction (which includes the operand), the operation is directly performed using the operand without needing to access memory. This mode only requires four micro-operations: fetch from memory, increment PC, and transfer the immediate value to the desired register.
This is like carrying cash for buying items directly. When you pay with cash (immediate value), you don't need to go through banks (memory accesses) to get it—the money is in your pocket (instruction).
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In summary, each addressing mode impacts the number of steps required to execute an instruction, with immediate mode requiring the least and indirect mode requiring more.
Different addressing modes affect the complexity and number of operations needed to execute an instruction. Immediate mode is most efficient, requiring only four steps, while indirect addressing takes more time, usually around seven steps. Consequently, understanding these modes is essential for designing effective instruction executions in any computer architecture.
Consider your morning routine. Some tasks take just one step, like grabbing a coffee from the counter (immediate). Others, like making breakfast, might require multiple steps (like indirect), taking more time to complete.
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Key Concepts
Addressing Modes: Techniques used in instructions to specify operands.
Immediate Mode: Operand is included directly in the instruction, leading to fewer execution steps.
Direct Mode: Operand's address is specified in the instruction, requiring additional access to memory.
Indirect Mode: Instruction points to another address where the operand is located, adding complexity.
Control Signals: The signals that dictate the operation of the control unit and coordinate data movement.
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For immediate addressing, LOAD R1, 32 loads the constant 32 directly into register R1.
In direct addressing, ADD R1, M (where M is an address) fetches the operand from memory location M into register R1.
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Direct is where the memory is clear, immediate makes the operand right here!
Once, a programmer wanted to load data quickly. Immediate mode was like a direct path to a treasure chest, while direct mode was a map leading to another map!
For the steps in immediate mode, remember 'FIR': Fetch, Increment, Register.
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Review the Definitions for terms.
Term: Addressing Mode
Definition:
The method used to specify the operand(s) for an instruction.
Term: Immediate Mode
Definition:
An addressing mode where the operand is specified explicitly in the instruction.
Term: Direct Mode
Definition:
An addressing mode where the instruction specifies the memory address where the operand resides.
Term: Indirect Mode
Definition:
An addressing mode that uses an address specified in the instruction to find the actual operand in another memory location.
Term: Control Signals
Definition:
Signals used by the control unit to direct operations in the ALU, buses, and memory.
Term: Program Counter (PC)
Definition:
A register that holds the address of the next instruction to be executed.
Term: Memory Address Register (MAR)
Definition:
A register that holds the address of a memory location to be accessed.
Term: Memory Data Register (MDR)
Definition:
A register used to temporarily hold data that is being transferred to or from memory.