2000 Paper 7 Question 3
Comparative Architectures
Describe the characteristic features of a VLIW (Very Long Instruction Word)
processor architecture. [3 marks]
VLIW processors aim to achieve high execution throughput using a different
strategy from that of out-of-order dynamic execution RISC implementations.
Compare and contrast these different approaches, pointing out the advantages and
disadvantages of each strategy in achieving this goal.
You may wish to consider the following issues:
• instruction issue logic
• cache sizes
• compiler code generation
• execution unit utilisation
[9 marks]
Why have VLIW architectures traditionally been used only for special-purpose
applications such as Digital Signal Processors? [3 marks]
What techniques have been developed to make VLIW-like architectures more
suitable for general-purpose use? [5 marks]