Abstract: A method and an apparatus for improving the speed of executing instructions and reducing the microprogram memory requirements in a conventional digital computer system. The method or apparatus incorporates the use of a predetermined bit position in the microinstruction word which is set to a binary one when the microword is the last microword of an executing microprogram. The apparatus is responsive to the electronic representation of the binary one signal to cause the microinstruction execution sequence to branch to a predetermined location in the microprogram memory for execution of the following microinstruction; thus, eliminating at least one step in returning to a common address for starting the execution of another microprogram.

Abstract: A system clock mechanism which can be either stalled (i.e. held indefinitely in a high state) or stretched (i.e. change the rate of pulse occurrence). A first electronic circuit provides pulses having a first predetermined pulse period T.sub.1 with each pulse being generated at a first predetermined rate. A second electronic circuit cooperating with the first electronic circuit modifies the first electronic pulses to generate pulses at a second predetermined rate having a second predetermined pulse period T.sub.2. A third electronic circuit cooperating with the first and second electronic circuits holds the clock circuit indefinitely in a high state.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for improving the speed of executing instructions and reducing the microprogram memory requirements in a conventional digital computer system by eliminating a ROM address register for addressing microwords. The method or apparatus incorporates the use of a predetermined bit position in the microinstruction word which is set to a binary one when the microword is the last microword of an executing microprogram. The apparatus is responsive to the electronic representation of the binary one signal to cause the microinstruction execution sequence to branch to a predetermined location in the microprogram memory for execution of the following microinstruction; thus eliminating one ROM address register and at least one step in returning to a common address for starting the execution of another microprogram.