Processor design: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:26, 8 February 2025

Revision as of 22:01, 25 April 2025

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=== Basics ===

CPU design is divided into multiple components. Information is transferred through [[datapath]]s (such as [[Arithmetic logic unit|ALUs]] and [[Pipeline (computing)|pipelines]]). These datapaths are controlled through logic by [[control unit]]s. [[Memory (computing)|Memory]] components include [[register file]]s and [[Cache (computing)|caches]] to retain information, or certain actions. [[Clock signal|Clock circuitry]] maintains internal rhythms and timing through clock drivers, [[Phase-locked loop|PLLs]], and [[clock distribution network]]s. Pad transceiver circuitry withwhich allows signals to be received and sent and a [[logic gate]] cell [[Library (electronics)|library]] which is used to implement the logic. Logic gates are the foundation for processor design as they are used to implement most of the processor's components.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GBVADQAAQBAJ&q=processor+logic+gates | title=Digital Systems: From Logic Gates to Processors | isbn=978-3-319-41198-9 | last1=Deschamps | first1=Jean-Pierre | last2=Valderrama | first2=Elena | last3=Terés | first3=Lluís | date=12 October 2016 | publisher=Springer }}</ref>

CPUs designed for high-performance markets might require custom (optimized or application specific (see below)) designs for each of these items to achieve frequency, [[power consumption|power-dissipation]], and chip-area goals whereas CPUs designed for lower performance markets might lessen the implementation burden by acquiring some of these items by purchasing them as [[intellectual property]]. Control logic implementation techniques ([[logic synthesis]] using CAD tools) can be used to implement datapaths, register files, and clocks. Common logic styles used in CPU design include unstructured random logic, [[finite-state machine]]s, [[microprogramming]] (common from 1965 to 1985), and [[Programmable logic array]]s (common in the 1980s, no longer common).