ACtE04 · Chapter 4Computer Organization & Embedded Systems🏛️ Past Licensure QuestionID: 4642f83e
In RISC processor design, the compact, uniform length and fixed format of instructions primarily facilitate:
In RISC processor design, the compact, uniform length and fixed format of instructions primarily facilitate:
Multiple Choice Options
- A
Complex microcode interpretation
- B✓ Correct Option
Efficient, streamlined instruction pipelining
- C
Large memory code footprints
- D
Elimination of internal CPU registers
Detailed Technical Solution & Explanation
The fundamental motivation behind fixing all instructions to a uniform length (e.g., 32 bits) and aligning opcodes to fixed bit positions is to make instruction decoding fast and predictable. In a RISC processor, the hardware can determine the opcode, source registers, and destination register during the very first clock cycle of pipelined execution without complex multi-byte pre-decoders, enabling seamless, bubble-free pipelining.
Option Analysis:
•
Option A (Complex microcode interpretation): Antithetical to RISC; RISC eliminates microcode in favor of hardwired logic.
•
Option B (Efficient, streamlined instruction pipelining): Correct; fixed-format instructions are designed specifically to optimize pipeline flow.
•
Option C (Large memory code footprints): An unintended consequence (lower code density), not a designed benefit.
•
Option D (Elimination of internal CPU registers): False; RISC requires large register files.
Reference: Mock Test 02NEC Licensure Syllabus