Microcode simulator

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A microcode simulator is an aid for simulating microcode-programmed control sequences of a microprogram control unit . By means of the microcode simulation, microcode-programmed switching processes can be traced step by step before they are integrated into a microcode program control unit. The simulation of the microcode is primarily associated with the creation of a microprogram and a check or optimization of the microprogrammed control of a control and arithmetic logic unit that is not yet available as real hardware and is simulated in advance.

In comparison, the emulation of a microcode is understood to mean the holistic, exact imitation of a real existing microcode control of an arithmetic logic unit with the best possible performance. In the years 1960 to mid-1970, the emulation of the microprograms compensated for incompatibilities in the hardware. This made it possible to port software for older computer hardware to successor models without actually having to have a hardware-based microprogram control unit matched to the microprogram. The conceptual separation between simulation and emulation of microcode or the underlying microprogram is fluid. In contrast to emulation, however, in addition to the actual microprogram or microcode, simulation only requires software, while the use of real hardware is associated with emulation of the microcode.

Furthermore, microcode simulators are used as learning aids to didactically visualize and explain switching processes. The beginnings of microcode simulation for educational purposes has its origin in the English-speaking world. As early as the 1980s and 1990s, programs for microcode simulation in training in the field of computer architecture in the university environment were created. The simulators have been written for operating systems such as Mac OS for Apple Macintosh computers and UNIX for mainframe systems. The microcode simulator MikroSim has established itself on the Microsoft Windows operating system in German-speaking countries .

literature

  • R. Hoffmann: Computer design: arithmetic units, microprogramming, RISC , 3rd edition. Oldenbourg, Munich 1993, ISBN 978-3-486-22174-9 (especially chapter 5: Microprogramming, pages 183,184)

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