The Motorola 68060 microprocessor

The Motorola 68060, the fourth-generation microprocessor of the M68000 family, is described. Using object code compatible with previous family members, it delivers 3 to 3.5 times the performance of the previous generation processor in this family, the 68040. Performance features include a superscalar integer unit, a high-performance floating point unit, dual 8-kbyte on-chip caches, a branch cache, and on-chip memory management units. A streamlined design enables high-performance techniques to achieve a high level of parallel instruction execution. Improved performance at a low cost makes the 68060 an ideal processor for the mid to high range of desktop computing applications, and compatibility features enable it to easily upgrade the performance of existing 68040-based systems. The operation of the 68060 is described.<>