A digital computer architecture text that builds systematically from basic concepts to complex state-machine design. It provides practical techniques and alternatives for designing solutions to data processing problems both for commercial and research purposes. The book offers an introduction to the tools and elements of design used in microprogrammed state machines. Number systems, hardware building blocks, assemblers for use in preparing control programmes, and tools and components for assemblers are covered in the introductory material. First and second level microprogrammed state machines are examined in depth. The book promotes a top-down approach that examines algorithms mathematically to exploit simplifications resulting from porper choices of representation and application of algebraic manipulation. The steps involved in the cycle of design and simulation steps are demonstrated through an example of running a computer through a simulation.
Other topics covered in "Microprogrammed State Machine Design" include a discussion of simulation methods, the development and use of assembler language processors and comparisons among various hardware implementations such as the Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) and the Digital Signal Processor (DSP).