NIMCET 2009 — Computer PYQ
NIMCET | Computer | 2009Micro-programmed control unit is
Choose the correct answer:
- A.
faster than hard-wired unit.
- B.
slower than hard-wired unit.
- C.
to facilitate easy implementation of new instructions.
- D.
both (B) and (C).
(Correct Answer)
both (B) and (C).
Explanation
In computer architecture, the Control Unit (CU) can be implemented in two primary ways: Hard-wired and Micro-programmed.
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Speed: A Hard-wired Control Unit uses combinational circuits and hardware logic, making it significantly faster because there are no memory lookups involved. In contrast, a Micro-programmed Control Unit must fetch micro-instructions from a control memory (ROM), which introduces a delay. Therefore, it is slower than a hard-wired unit.
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Flexibility: The main advantage of a Micro-programmed design is its flexibility. Since the control signals are stored as software (micro-code) in memory, it is much easier to modify or facilitate the implementation of new instructions by simply updating the micro-code rather than redesigning the physical hardware.
Since both statements (b) and (c) are correct characteristics of a micro-programmed control unit, the final answer is (d).

