Some observations on semiconductor technology and the architecture of large digital modules

Modules for computer system design are becoming increasingly complex, driven by decreasing cost and size of hardware and increasing computer system performance requirements. Standard modules have evolved from circuit elements to gates and flip-flops to integrated-circuit chips to register-transfer level module sets. Because of the continuing development of semiconductor technology, LSI components — e.g., memory chips with ≥ 1K bits and microprocessors — may become the standard components of digital design. Are these memory arrays and microprocessors the right set of large modules to use in the next generation of digital system design? To discuss this and related questions, a workshop on the architecture and application of digital modules was held on June 7–8, 1973, at Carnegie-Mellon University. To ensure as wide a range of perspectives as possible, participants were invited from computer manufacturers, semiconductor manufacturers, and universities.