NP 16-17 Flashcards
Explain what is meant by a biased exponent in relation to floating point numbers. Why is this format used?
If the real exponent is X then it is represented by (X + bias). The bias is subtracted from the new exponent to give its actual value. This is done as it is preferable to have the smallest exponent as 00…0 for integer compares.
What is User Defined Primitive? What is an advantage of UDP?
A UDP is a basic logic function which is described by its truth table. They require less memory and can reduce simulation times.
What is meant by a resolution function? Why is this required?
Verilog uses a four valued logic system. This means that a signal can take any one of these values during simulation. Signal resolution defines the value that an output should take, dependent on the signal values at the input.
Briefly describe the operation of Content Addressable memory (CAM)
Content addressable memory is searched in parallel for data content instead of accessing data at a single location using an address. To enable this, the data is stored with a tag which is compared with input search data. If there is a match the corresponding data is returned, a ‘hit’ or otherwise a ‘miss’. Can be used as cache memory systems
Briefly describe the operation of Last In First Out Memory (LIFO)
LIFO refers to the order in which the objects are accessed in memory. Items are pushed onto the memory and can only be retrieved by popping them off which removes the most recently added element not already removed from memory. Used to implement stack memory in a processor for execution of functions and subroutines.
