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===== Multiplication =====
 
===== Multiplication =====
 
[[File:arm2 mul cycle.svg|right|250px]]
 
[[File:arm2 mul cycle.svg|right|250px]]
The ARM1 major performance issue was with multiplication. The ARM1 lacked hardware multiplication which meant software had to resort to a software-based solution (e.g., classic [[Shift-and-Add Multiplication]]). For example to perform <code>var = x * 5;</code> one could rewrite it as <code>var = x + (x << 2);</code> to achieve the same result without a multiplication operation. While originally was not thought to be a big problem, software multiplication proved to be a rather serious bottleneck.
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The ARM1 major performance issue was with multiplication. The ARM1 lacked hardware multiplication which meant software had to resort to a software-based solution (e.g., classic [[Shift-and-Add Multiplication]]). For example to perform <code>var = x * 5;</code> one could rewrite it as <code>var = x + (x << 2);</code> to achieve the same result without a multiplication operation. While originally was not thought to be a big program, software multiplication proved to be a rather serious bottleneck.
  
 
This was addressed with the ARM2 which introduced a [[Booth's Multiplier]]. Conceptually, the multiplier sits on the "B" operand of the ALU in a similar way to how the barrel shifter sits on the "A" operand of the ALU, however there are some major differences in how they are implemented and operate.
 
This was addressed with the ARM2 which introduced a [[Booth's Multiplier]]. Conceptually, the multiplier sits on the "B" operand of the ALU in a similar way to how the barrel shifter sits on the "A" operand of the ALU, however there are some major differences in how they are implemented and operate.

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codenameARM2 +
core count1 +
designerAcorn Computers +
first launched1986 +
full page nameacorn/microarchitectures/arm2 +
instance ofmicroarchitecture +
instruction set architectureARMv2 +
manufacturerVLSI Technology + and Sanyo +
microarchitecture typeCPU +
nameARM2 +
pipeline stages3 +
process2,000 nm (2 μm, 0.002 mm) +