Designing HMO, an Integrated Hardware Microcode Optimizer

This Paper Discusses an Algorithm for Optimizing the Density and Parallelism of Micro coded Routines in Micro programmable Machines. Besides the Algorithm itself, the Algorithm\u27s Uses, Design Integration Problems, Architectural Requirements, and Adaptability to Conventional Machine Characteristics Are Also Discussed and Analyzed. Even Though the Paper Proposes a Hardware Implementation of the Algorithm, the Algorithm is Viewed as an Integral Part of the Entire Microcode Generation and Usage Process, from Initial High-Level Input into a Software Microcode Compiler Down to Machine-Level Execution of the Resultant Microcode on the Host Machine. It is Believed that, by Removing Much of the Traditionally Time-Consuming and Machine-Dependent Microcode Optimization from the Software Portion of This Process, the Algorithm Can Improve the overall Process

Towards a design of HMO, an integrated hardware microcode optimizer

This paper discusses an algorithm for optimizing the density and parallelism of microcoded routines in micro-programmable machines. Besides presenting the algorithm itself, this research also analyzes the algorithm\u27s uses, design integration problems, architectural requirements, and adaptability to conventional machine characteristics. Even though the paper proposes a hardware implementation of the algorithm, the algorithm is viewed as an integral part of the entire microcode generation and usage process, from initial high-level input into a software microcode compiler down to machine-level execution of the resultant microcode on the host machine. It is believed that, by removing much of the traditionally time-consuming and machine-dependent microcode optimization from the software portion of this process, the algorithm can improve the overall process --Abstract, page ii

Maximizing the Adjacent Possible in Automata Chemistries

Automata chemistries are good vehicles for experimentation in open-ended evolution, but they are by necessity complex systems whose low-level properties require careful design. To aid the process of designing automata chemistries, we develop an abstract model that classifies the features of a chemistry from a physical (bottom up) perspective and from a biological (top down) perspective. There are two levels: things that can evolve, and things that cannot. We equate the evolving level with biology and the non-evolving level with physics. We design our initial organisms in the biology, so they can evolve. We design the physics to facilitate evolvable biologies. This architecture leads to a set of design principles that should be observed when creating an instantiation of the architecture. These principles are Everything Evolves, Everything’s Soft, and Everything Dies. To evaluate these ideas, we present experiments in the recently developed Stringmol automata chemistry. We examine the properties of Stringmol with respect to the principles, and so demonstrate the usefulness of the principles in designing automata chemistries

An Experimental Microarchitecture for a Superconducting Quantum Processor

Quantum computers promise to solve certain problems that are intractable for classical computers, such as factoring large numbers and simulating quantum systems. To date, research in quantum computer engineering has focused primarily at opposite ends of the required system stack: devising high-level programming languages and compilers to describe and optimize quantum algorithms, and building reliable low-level quantum hardware. Relatively little attention has been given to using the compiler output to fully control the operations on experimental quantum processors. Bridging this gap, we propose and build a prototype of a flexible control microarchitecture supporting quantum-classical mixed code for a superconducting quantum processor. The microarchitecture is based on three core elements: (i) a codeword-based event control scheme, (ii) queue-based precise event timing control, and (iii) a flexible multilevel instruction decoding mechanism for control. We design a set of quantum microinstructions that allows flexible control of quantum operations with precise timing. We demonstrate the microarchitecture and microinstruction set by performing a standard gate-characterization experiment on a transmon qubit.Comment: 13 pages including reference. 9 figure

Aerospace Applications of Microprocessors

An assessment of the state of microprocessor applications is presented. Current and future requirements and associated technological advances which allow effective exploitation in aerospace applications are discussed

Apollo experience report guidance and control systems: Primary guidance, navigation, and control system development

The primary guidance, navigation, and control systems for both the lunar module and the command module are described. Development of the Apollo primary guidance systems is traced from adaptation of the Polaris Mark II system through evolution from Block I to Block II configurations; the discussion includes design concepts used, test and qualification programs performed, and major problems encountered. The major subsystems (inertial, computer, and optical) are covered. Separate sections on the inertial components (gyroscopes and accelerometers) are presented because these components represent a major contribution to the success of the primary guidance, navigation, and control system

Space Station Software Issues

Issues in the development of software for the Space Station are discussed. Software acquisition and management, software development environment, standards, information system support for software developers, and a future software advisory board are addressed

Study of fault-tolerant software technology

Presented is an overview of the current state of the art of fault-tolerant software and an analysis of quantitative techniques and models developed to assess its impact. It examines research efforts as well as experience gained from commercial application of these techniques. The paper also addresses the computer architecture and design implications on hardware, operating systems and programming languages (including Ada) of using fault-tolerant software in real-time aerospace applications. It concludes that fault-tolerant software has progressed beyond the pure research state. The paper also finds that, although not perfectly matched, newer architectural and language capabilities provide many of the notations and functions needed to effectively and efficiently implement software fault-tolerance