Sat, 3 Dec 2011, 21:20

Greetings from the 44th International Symposium on Microarchitecture in
Porto Alegre, Brazil.  A student writes:


> Dr. Patt,
> I've been going over the data path for each instruction and had a
> question.  In the decode state on the state diagram (state 32), where
> is this decoder located on the data path?  My guess would be that it
> is inside the magical box labeled CONTROL, but I just want to be sure.

Your guess is correct.  You note that the IR (which holds the instruction)
is input to the "magical box labeled CONTROL."


>  I mean, the IR is just a 16 bit register and nothing more right?

Right.


> This may be something I should know already, but I don't want to let
> pride get in the way of a thorough knowledge this close to the end of
> the course.  I appreciate your time.
> 
> <<name withheld to protect the student who wants a thorough knowledge>>

Good luck on the final exam.

Yale Patt