Control Unit

SHREYAS BHAT V– 1BY22EC095

SOUMIT DAS -1BY22EC104
ROHAN JEMMY RALSON -1BY22EC081
SRIRAMAKRISHNA DESHPANDE -1BY22EC107
 EWHAT IS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE
CONTROL UNIT ?

The control unit regulates and keeps

track of communications among the
computer’s associated components.
`

What is Control Unit ?

The control unit (CU) is a

component of a computer's
central processing unit (CPU) that
directs the operation of the
processor.
Main Role of the Control Unit
1 Instruction Interpretation

The control unit interprets program instructions and converts them into control signals for the
CPU's components.It also manages the clock signals among the devices

2 Execution Coordination
It coordinates the execution of these instructions, ensuring that each operation is
performed in the correct sequence.

3 Error Detection
Additionally, the control unit detects and reports any errors that may occur during
the execution of instructions.
Functions of the Control Unit:
•It coordinates the sequence of data movements into,
out of, and between a processor’s many sub-units.
•It interprets instructions.
•It controls data flow inside the processor.
•It receives external instructions or commands to
which it converts to sequence of control signals.
•It controls many execution units(i.e. ALU, data
buffers and registers) contained within a CPU.
•It also handles multiple tasks, such as fetching,
decoding, execution handling and storing results .
Control Unit diagram
VV

Components of the Control Unit

Control Signals ALU Control

The control unit generates control signals to manage It also manages the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) by
data movement and processing within the CPU. providing operation control signals.

HARDWIRED CONTROL UNIT

Instruction Cycle and Execution
Fetch
The control unit retrieves the next instruction from memory.

Decode
It interprets the instruction to determine the required action.

Execute
The control unit coordinates the execution of the instruction, ensuring proper data
manipulation.
Relation between Control Unit and Central
Processing Unit (CPU)
The Control Unit is an integral part of the Central
Processing Unit, responsible for efficiently
managing and controlling the other components of
the CPU. These components include the
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) and the registers.
The relation between the Control Unit and other
parts of the CPU can be summarised as follows:
Types of Control Unit:

There are two types of control units:

•Hardwired
•Micro programmable control unit.
 Traditional vs. Microprogrammed Control
Unit
Traditional Control Unit Microprogrammed Control Unit

A traditional control unit uses hardwired logic to : Microprogrammed control units use microinstructions
execute instructions. It directly controls the operation stored in control memory to generate control signals.
of the CPU based on fixed circuitry.
: Hardwired control units are built using combinational
logic circuits, such as AND, OR, and NOT gates, along
with multiplexers and decoders, to implement the control
logic directly.
CONTROL UNIT
DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE
•1950s: The concept of control units emerged alongside early computer
architectures such as the ENIAC and UNIVAC.

•1960s: The development of hardwired control units dominated this era, as they
were simpler to design and implement.

•1970s: With the increasing complexity of instruction sets and the need for
more flexibility, microprogrammed control units gained popularity.

•1980s-present: Both hardwired and microprogrammed control units have been

widely used, with their suitability depending on factors such as performance
requirements, instruction set complexity, and ease of modification.
 John von Neumann's work on the von Neumann architecture laid the foundation for early computer systems with hardwired control units.

Hardwired Control Unit

A hardwired control unit is a fundamental component of a computer's central

processing unit (CPU) that plays a crucial role in managing the execution of
instructions. It is responsible for coordinating the operation of various
hardware components to ensure the smooth functioning of the entire system.
The control unit receives signals from input and output devices, processes the
information, and directs the flow of data within the CPU. Its efficient
functioning is essential for the overall performance of the computer system.
• The von Neumann architecture laid the groundwork for the concept.
• IBM is one of the earliest and most prominent companies in the
development of hardwired control units
Components of a Hardwired Control Unit

Arithmetic and Logic Unit Control Bus Instruction Register

(ALU)
It is responsible for transmitting This component temporarily holds
The ALU performs arithmetic and control signals between the the current instruction during its
logical operations, critical for control unit and other parts of the execution, allowing the control
processing data and executing CPU. unit to decode and execute it.
instructions.
Working Principle of a Hardwired Control
Unit

Data Processing Signal Coordination Control Signal

Generation
The control unit interprets It coordinates communication
program instructions and directs between various hardware Generates and transmits control
the flow of data within the components to execute program signals to manage the operation
CPU. instructions effectively. of the CPU and peripheral
devices.
 Advantages of Using a Hardwired Control
Unit

Low Overhead
Fast Processing Reliability

The hardwired control unit It offers reliable and stable Requires minimal additional
operates at high speeds, ensuring performance, contributing to the hardware and overhead, making
quick execution of instructions overall dependability of the it a cost-effective solution for
and efficient data processing. computer system. controlling CPU operations.
 Limitations of a Hardwired Control Unit

1.Difficult to modify or update.

2.Complex instruction sets may require large and intricate control units.
3.Less flexible compared to microprogrammed control units.
Examples of Applications for Hardwired
Control Units
1 Embedded Systems
Used in embedded systems like industrial automation and automotive control units
for precise and specific tasks.

2 Real-time Processing
Applied in systems requiring real-time data processing, such as medical devices and
aerospace technology.

3 Control Systems
Utilized in control systems for machinery, robotics, and manufacturing processes to
manage operations efficiently.
Microprogrammed Control
Unit
A microprogrammed control unit is a hardware component in a computer that
uses microcode to control the execution of instructions. It is an essential part of
the CPU and is responsible for managing the operation of the entire system. This
type of control unit uses a control memory that contains microinstructions, which
are used to control the data paths, registers, and other components of the CPU.
The microprogrammed control unit plays a critical role in ensuring the efficient
and accurate execution of instructions.
• Maurice Wilkes, is credited with inventing microprogramming at the
University of Cambridge in the late 1940s. His work laid the foundation for
the development of microprogrammed control units in subsequent computer
systems.
Components of a Microprogrammed
Control Unit
Control Memory
Stores the microinstructions that control the operations of the control unit.

Control Sequencer
Determines the sequence in which microinstructions are executed to carry out machine
instructions.

Microinstruction Register
Holds the current microinstruction being executed by the control unit.
Microinstructions and Microcode
Microinstructions
Microinstructions are a set of control signals that govern the operation of the CPU at a basic level,
executing each machine instruction.

Microcode
Microcode is low-level instructions stored in control memory that represent the microinstructions
and provide the necessary control signals for each machine instruction.
Advantages of Microprogrammed
Control Unit
Flexibility
The microprogrammed control unit allows for easy modification and updating of the control
signals without altering the hardware circuitry.

Debugging
It provides an efficient platform for locating and correcting errors in the control unit's operations
due to its modular nature.

Complex Instructions
It supports the implementation of complex instructions, enhancing the architecture's capabilities
and flexibility.
Advantages of Microprogrammed
Control Unit

•Generally slower execution due to the additional overhead of fetching microinstructions.

•Requires additional control memory.
APPLICATION OF THE
MICROPROGRAMMED
CONTROL UNIT
Limitations of Microprogrammed Control
Unit
Complexity Designing extensive microprograms for complex
instructions can make the control unit complex and
challenging to manage.

Execution Speed The microprogrammed approach may lead to

slower instruction execution due to the extra steps
involved in fetching and executing
microinstructions.

Cost The implementation of a microprogrammed control

unit can result in higher manufacturing costs
compared to traditional hardwired control units.
CONCLUSION
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