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450 EVOLUTION OF COMPUTER BUILDING BLOCKS

In the next section we begin with a description of the design of the CMU-1 1 processor. We then discuss the performance, cost, and implementation difficulties uncovered during the design and testing of the machine. In addition to the evaluation of the LSI bit-slice circuits for general purpose processors, we are interested in the problems of computer design in general. For this reason, a fairly complete set of digital design automation aids are available at Carnegie-Mellon University: an interactive drawing package that generates engineering drawings, wire-lists, and aids in engineering changes; a digital simulation system that is interfaced to the drawing system; and microprogram assemblers. Later sections review our experiences with these design aids and we draw some conclusions concerning the process of designing and debugging prototypes of digital systems built with LSI circuits.

ORGANIZATION OF THE CMU-11

Figure 1 is a register transfer level diagram of the CMU-11 microprogrammable processor.

Figure 1. Register transfer level diagram.

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