Scribd
Upload
314 views

Bit Slice Processor

A bit-slice processor is a microprocessor designed to allow variable word sizes using multiple identical processor units on a single chip. These units can be combined to create processors of different bit widths. Bit-slice processors split the CPU functions of fetch and execute into separate chips. This two-chip design allowed for faster bipolar technology to be used. It also enabled linking multiple processor units together to handle very large amounts of data in parallel. Additionally, bit-slice architectures gave users flexibility to customize instruction sets for specific applications.

Uploaded by

Akash Ruhil
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
314 views

Bit Slice Processor

A bit-slice processor is a microprocessor designed to allow variable word sizes using multiple identical processor units on a single chip. These units can be combined to create processors of different bit widths. Bit-slice processors split the CPU functions of fetch and execute into separate chips. This two-chip design allowed for faster bipolar technology to be used. It also enabled linking multiple processor units together to handle very large amounts of data in parallel. Additionally, bit-slice architectures gave users flexibility to customize instruction sets for specific applications.

Uploaded by

Akash Ruhil
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

Bit-Slice Processor

A microprocessor designed to allow variable word sizes using 2, 4, or 8 bit processor units on a single chip. These devices can be paralleled to yield an 8, 12, 16, 24, or 2 bit processor when assembled with other components. !ccasionally used in printers. "t is a techni#ue $or constructing a processor $rom modules, each o$ which processes one bit% $ield or &slice& o$ an operand. 'it slice processors usually consist o$ an A() o$ 1, 2, 4 or 8 bits and control lines *including carry or over$low signals usually internal to the +,)-. .or e/ample, two 4%bit A()s could be arranged side by side, with control lines between them, to $orm an 8%bit A(). A se#uencer e/ecutes a program to provide data and control signals. 'it%slice microprocessors are the (egos o$ microprocessors. "n bit%slice microprocessors the 0,) is split apart into +) and A() chips. At $irst blush, this may seem to go against the rationale $or using a 0,). 1plitting these $unctions apart into multiple increases comple/ity and e/pense. A$ter all the 0+) was built to shrin2 a computer and bit%slice seems to be e/panding it. Actually it is and does, but there are some interesting advantages to the bit%slice approach. The bit%slice microprocessor design has three very signi$icant advantages. 1. A()3s can be attached together in horizontal con$igurations to create computers that can handle very large chun2s o$ data at a time. An e/ample o$ a bit%slice processor is the A04 2561. 7ith the A04 2561 bit%slice, the 2561 is the A(), the A04 2516 is the +). The 2561 was a peer o$ the "ntel 8686, but the 8686 could only handle 8%bits o$ data at time. The 2561 was a 4%bit A(), but 4 25613s could be lin2ed together to create a computer that could handle 16%bits at a time, 8 could be put together to create a 2%bit computer and so on. 7hereas the 8686 would have to use multiple cycles to process 16 or 2 bits, the appropriate 2561 con$iguration could handle it in a single cycle giving such a computer signi$icantly more power than the 8686. 2. Advantage o$ the 'it%slice design is the $act that the two chip design allowed the chips to use bipolar chip technology *e/ample8 the "ntel 662-. 'ipolar is very $ast, but consumes lots o$ power and dissipates lots o$ heat. 'ecause o$ the heat dissipation problem, bipolar chips could not be as dense *in number o$ transistors per area- as the ,0!1 or 90!1 chips. "t was not possible to build single%chip +,)3s using bipolar technology. 1o, in addition to the wider data paths the bit%slice devices could achieve, they were inherently $aster due the bipolar technology that was employed to build the chips. . The bit%slices had the ability to allow users to create their own instruction sets $or their applications. "nstruction sets could be created to emulate, or enhance, e/isting processors such as the 6:62 or 8686, or to create a uni#ue instruction set specially adapted to ma/imize per$ormance o$ a speci$ic application. The combination o$ the speed and $le/ibility o$ bit%slice devices made the very popular and created a cult%li2e $ollowing, especially $or the A04 2561.

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy