Design of a Computer Based on a Microprocessor

Overview

The computer of Chapter 8 was constructed in order to explain the fundamentals of computer architecture and to demonstrate a design to its last detail. Computers built in practice use much more highly integrated parts and feature far more sophisticated architectures. They are usually built around one or several microprocessors, each integrating ALU, registers, and control unit. This chapter presents a modest design of this kind. It is based on the processor NS32008 (National Semiconductor, Inc.), and it features the typical configuration with an address and a data bus connecting processor, memories, and peripheral devices.