CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
7733 Group User’s Manual
2–13
The CPU and buses operate on the basis of different signals (Note). Between the CPU and buses,
therefore, data is passed or received via the BIU. Owing to the BIU’s operation, the CPU can operate at
high speed without waiting for the access by the low-speed memory I/O unit.
When an external device is connected, it is necessary to secure an access time according to the external
device’s timing specifications. In this case, in order to secure an access time, the BIU extends the duration
of signals required for the access.
Note: The CPU operates on the basis of
φCPU. The period of φCPU is normally the same as that of φ.
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The internal buses operate on the basis of E. The period of E is at least twice that of
φ.
The BIU’s functions are described below.
(1) Reading out instruction (Instruction prefetch)
When the CPU does not request to read or write data, that is, when buses are not in use, the BIU
reads instructions from the memory and stores them in an instruction queue buffer. This is called
“instruction prefetch.”
The CPU reads instructions from the instruction queue buffer and executes them. Therefore, the CPU
can operate at high speed without waiting for the access by the low-speed memory.
When the instruction queue buffer becomes empty or stores only 1 byte of an instruction, the BIU
prefetches a new instruction code. The instruction queue buffer can store instructions up to 3 bytes.
The contents of the instruction queue buffer is initialized when a branch or jump instruction is executed
and the BIU reads a new instruction code from the destination address.
If instructions in the instruction queue buffer are insufficient for the CPU’s request, the BIU extends
the “L”-level duration of clock
φCPU in order to keep the CPU waiting until the BIU fetches the
requested number of instructions or more.
(2) Writing data to memory I/O
The CPU informs the BIU’s data address register of an address to which data is written and writes
the data to the data buffer. The BIU outputs the address received from the CPU to the address bus
and writes the data in the data buffer to the specified address.
While the BIU is writing data to the specified address, the CPU advances to the next process without
waiting for completion of BIU’s write operation.
Note that while the BIU uses buses for instruction prefetch, the BIU keeps the CPU waiting even when
the CPU requests to write data.
(3) Signal input/output for access to external device
When accessing external devices, the BIU inputs and outputs signals required for the access. (For
details, refer to chapter “12. CONNECTING EXTERNAL DEVICES.”)
2.2 Bus interface unit