Written for students taking their first course in computer systems architecture, this is an introductory textbook that meets syllabus requirements in a simple manner without being a weighty tome. The project is based around the simulation of a typical simple microprocessor so that students gain an understanding of the fundamental concepts of computer architecture on which they can build to understand the more advanced facilities and techniques employed by modern day microprocessors. Each chapter includes a worked exercise, end-of-chapter exercises, and definitions of key words in the margins. The book also comes with a CD ROM which includes JASPer software and the latest version of the Digital Works package, and is accompanied by a dedicated lecturer and student web site.
I have not been able to put this book down. It is excellent and I have already added it to my course reading list.' - David Israel, University of Greenwich, UK
'The book is really excellent, easily the best on the subject at
that level. I recommend it to my pupils. I particularly like the way it
explains everything up from the basic electronic building blocks.' - David Grant, I/C Technology at the Perse School Cambridge, UK
PART I: THE BUILDING BLOCKS
Designing Our Simple CPU
Fundamental Concepts I - Data Representation
Fundamental Concepts II - Electronic Circuits
Registers
The ALU
Buses
Memory
The Hardware Engineer's Perspective
PART II: USING THE PROCESSOR
Writing Structured Programs
Stacks and Writing Functions
Addressing Modes
Input/ Output
The Interrupt Mechanism
Systems Software
The Programmer's Perspective
PART III: UNDER THE BONNET
Building an Instruction Set
The Control Unit
Extending the Hardware
PART IV: THE REAL WORLD
CISC and RISC Architectures: An Overview
Advanced Architecture Features
Part V: APPENDICES
A - The Basic Instruction Set Quick Reference
B - Answers to Self Test Exercises
C - The JASP Processor
D - The Basic Instruction Set
E - The Advanced Instruction Set Quick Reference
F - The Advanced Instruction Set
G - An Introduction to Digital Works
Bibliography
Index
MARK BURRELL is Principal Lecturer in the School of Computing and Mathematics at the University of Northumbria, and has taught Computer System Fundamentals for several years. He previously gained considerable experience in industry, including serving as technical officer to a major UK Internet gateway for three years.