Microprocessor
• Microprocessor is a controlling unit of a micro-computer, fabricated
on a small chip capable of performing ALU (Arithmetic Logical Unit)
operations and communicating with the other devices connected to
it.
• Microprocessor consists of an ALU, register array, and a control unit.
ALU performs arithmetical and logical operations on the data received
from the memory or an input device. Register array consists of
registers identified by letters like B, C, D, E, H, L and accumulator. The
control unit controls the flow of data and instructions within the
computer.
Block Diagram of a Basic Microcomputer
How does a Microprocessor Work?
• The microprocessor follows a sequence: Fetch, Decode, and then
Execute.
• Initially, the instructions are stored in the memory in a sequential
order. The microprocessor fetches those instructions from the
memory, then decodes it and executes those instructions till STOP
instruction is reached. Later, it sends the result in binary to the output
port. Between these processes, the register stores the temporarily
data and ALU performs the computing functions.
List of Terms Used in a Microprocessor
• Instruction Set − It is the set of instructions that the microprocessor can
understand.
• 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 is expressed in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz).It is also
known as Clock Rate.
• Word Length − It depends upon the width of internal data bus, registers, ALU, 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 the microcomputer.
• Data Types − The microprocessor has multiple data type formats like binary, BCD,
ASCII, signed and unsigned numbers.
•
A microprocessor can be classified into three
categories
RISC Processor
• RISC stands for Reduced Instruction Set Computer. It is designed to reduce
the execution time by simplifying the instruction set of the computer. Using
RISC processors, each instruction requires only one clock cycle to execute
results in uniform execution time. This reduces the efficiency as there are
more lines of code, hence more RAM is needed to store the instructions.
The compiler also has to work more to convert high-level language
instructions into machine code.
• Some of the RISC processors are −
• Power PC: 601, 604, 615, 620
• DEC Alpha: 210642, 211066, 21068, 21164
• MIPS: TS (R10000) RISC Processor
• PA-RISC: HP 7100LC
CISC Processor
• CISC stands for Complex Instruction Set Computer. It is designed to
minimize the number of instructions per program, ignoring the number of
cycles per instruction. The emphasis is on building complex instructions
directly into the hardware.
• The compiler has to do very little work to translate a high-level language
into assembly level language/machine code because the length of the code
is relatively short, so very little RAM is required to store the instructions.
• Some of the CISC Processors are −
• IBM 370/168
• VAX 11/780
• Intel 80486
Special Processors
• These are the processors which are designed for some special
purposes. Few of the special processors are briefly discussed −
Coprocessor
• A coprocessor is a specially designed microprocessor, which can
handle its particular function many times faster than the ordinary
microprocessor.
• For example − Math Coprocessor.
• Some Intel math-coprocessors are −
• 8087-used with 8086
• 80287-used with 80286
• 80387-used with 80386
Input/Output Processor
• It is a specially designed microprocessor having a local memory of its
own, which is used to control I/O devices with minimum CPU
involvement.
• For example −
• DMA (direct Memory Access) controller
• Keyboard/mouse controller
• Graphic display controller
• SCSI port controller
Transputer (Transistor Computer)
• A transputer is a specially designed microprocessor with its own local
memory and having links to connect one transputer to another
transputer for inter-processor communications. It was first designed
in 1980 by Inmos and is targeted to the utilization of VLSI technology.
• A transputer can be used as a single processor system or can be
connected to external links, which reduces the construction cost and
increases the performance.
• For example − 16-bit T212, 32-bit T425, the floating point (T800, T805
& T9000) processors.