Page 18 - A Practical Guide from Design Planning to Manufacturing

xvi Preface

Chapter list
Chapter 1—The Evolution of the Microprocessor: Describes the devel-
opment of the microprocessor and how transistor scaling has driven
its evolution.
Chapter 2—Computer Components: Discusses computer components
besides the microprocessor and the buses through which they inter-
act with the processor.
Chapter 3—Design Planning: Explains the overall steps required to
design a processor and some of the planning required to get started.
Chapter 4—Computer Architecture: Examines trade-offs in choosing
an instruction set and how both instructions and data are encoded.
Chapter 5—Microarchitecture: Explains the operation of the different
functional areas of a processor and how they determine performance.
Chapter 6—Logic Design: Discusses converting a microarchitectural
design into the logic equations required to simulate processor behavior.
Chapter 7—Circuit Design: Shows logic design equations being con-
verted into a transistor implementation.
Chapter 8—Layout: Demonstrates circuit designs being converted
to layout drawings of the different layers of material required for
fabrication.
Chapter 9—Semiconductor Manufacturing: Shows how integrated
circuits are manufactured from layout.
Chapter 10—Microprocessor Packaging: Discusses how completed die
are packaged for use and the trade-offs of different types of packages.
Chapter 11—Silicon Debug and Test: Explains how designs are checked
for flaws and completed die are tested before shipping to customers.

The many specialized terms and acronyms of processor design are
explained as they are introduced in the text, but for reference there is
also a glossary at the end of the book. After reading this, microprocessor
design won’t seem that hard after all.

The Future of Processor Design
The rapid changes in the semiconductor industry make predicting the
future of processor design difficult at best, but there are two critical ques-
tions designers must address in the coming years.
How can design make best use of ever-increasing numbers of transistors?
How can processors be designed to be more power efficient?