A microprocessor is an integrated circuit which incorporates core functions of a computers central processing unit(CPU). It is a programmable multipurpose silicon chip clock driven,register based, accepts binary data as input and provides output after processing. It as per the instructions stored in the memory.So It has a specific design. Usually distinguished on the basis of number of switching elements integrated(generations ; 1st, 2nd and 3rd etc).
A microprocessor executes a collection of machine instructions that tell the processor what to do. Based on the instructions,a microprocessor dose three basic things -
>> A microprocessor can move data from one memory location to another.
>> A microprocessor can make decisions and jump to a new set of instructions based on those decisions.
There may be very sophisticated things that microprocessor does,but those are its three basic activities.The following diagram shows an extremely simple microprocessor capable of doing those there things.
Microprocessor unit diagram
How does a microprocessor work?
The microprocessor follows a sequence : Fetch,decode and then execute.
First, the instructions are stored in memory in a sequential order. Then the microprocessor fetches those instructions from the memory and decodes these instruction till stop instruction is reached.later,it stands the result in binary to the output port.
Between these processes,the register stores the temporarily data and ALU performs the computing functions.
The microprocessor has -
- An address bus : An address bus may be 8,16 or 32 bit wide . that sends an address to memory .
- A data bus : A data bus may be 8,16 or 32 bits wide,That can send data to memory or receive data from memory.
- A clock line : that lets a clock plus sequence the processor.
- An RD (read) and WR (write) : This line to tell memory whether it wants to sent or get the addressed location.
- A reset line : That resets the program counter to zero ( or whatever and restarts execution )
List of terms used in microprocessor :
- Instruction set - It is the set of instructions that the microprocessor can understand.or the instruction set is the series of commands that a microprocessor can understand.Essentially,its the interface between the hardware and software.
- Bandwidth - It is the number of bits processed in a single instruction.
- Clock Speed - It determines the number of operations per second the processor can perform.It expressed in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). lt is also known as clock Rate.
- Word length - Word length refers to the number of bits in the processor’s internal data bus or the number of bits that a processor can process at any given time.It depends upon the width of internal data bus,ALU, Registers etc.An 8 bit microprocessor can process 8 bit data at a time.the word length ranges from 4 bits to 64 bits depending upon the type of microcomputer.
- Data type : the microprocessor has multiple data type formats like binary, BCD, ASCII,signed and unsigned numbers.
- Cache memory : the cache memory is used to store data or instruction that the software or programs frequently references during operation.basically,it helps to increase the operation’s overall speed by allowing the processor to access data more quickly than form a regular RAM.
You may also like - >> cache memory
- Bus : A bus is a way or path that transmit data or that address or control information to the microprocessor’s different elements.Most microprocessors consist of three buses,which include the data bus,address bus and the control bus.
You may also like - >> Computer Bus
Some specification of microprocessor -
- External and Internal Data Bus
- cache memory
- speed of Clock
- MIPS
- Power consumption
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