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Microprocessor Basics and Architectures

The document provides an overview of microcontrollers and microprocessors, defining a microcontroller as a compact IC that includes a CPU, memory, and I/O ports. It discusses word length in microprocessors, explaining that it determines the amount of data processed in parallel, and describes two main architectures: Von Neumann and Harvard. Additionally, it includes practice questions for further understanding of the concepts presented.

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2 views11 pages

Microprocessor Basics and Architectures

The document provides an overview of microcontrollers and microprocessors, defining a microcontroller as a compact IC that includes a CPU, memory, and I/O ports. It discusses word length in microprocessors, explaining that it determines the amount of data processed in parallel, and describes two main architectures: Von Neumann and Harvard. Additionally, it includes practice questions for further understanding of the concepts presented.

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syeedismailtajdoc
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Course Code: EEE-3129

Course Title: Microprocessor and Assembly Language

Conducted by

Mahfujur Rahman
Lecturer
Dept. of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Northern University Bangladesh
Definition of Microcontroller:
A microcontroller is a compact integrated circuit (IC) that
contains a microprocessor (CPU), memory (RAM and ROM), and
input/output (I/O) ports — all built on a single chip — designed to
perform specific control tasks.

It is often called a “computer on a chip” because it can control


devices, process data, and make decisions independently based on
programmed instructions.

Example:
Intel 8051, PIC16F877A, Atmega328 (used in Arduino).
Word Length of a Microprocessor:
A digital computer can understand information composed of only 0 and 1. Hence,
it uses only binary digits 0 and 1 for its internal processing.
A binary digit 0 or 1 is called a bit. A group of 8 bits is called a byte.

The number of bits that a digital computer can process in parallel at a time is
called its word length. Word Length of a Microprocessor is given as n-bit; where n
may be 2, 16, 32, or 64.
.
An 8-bit microprocessor can process 8-bit data at a time. If data consists of more
than 8 bits, the processor takes up one by one for processing. Its general-purpose
registers which hold data for processing are 8-bit registers.

Similarly, a 16-bit processor handles 16-bit data at a time, and general-purpose


registers hold 16-bit data. Similarly, 32-bit and 64-bit processors process 32-bit and
64-bit data at a time, respectively.

A processor of longer word length is more powerful and can process data at a
faster speed as compared to a processor of shorter word length
Architecture of Microprocessors:
Von Neumann Architecture: Von Neumann architecture was first developed
by John von Neumann in 1945. His computer architecture design consists of a
Control Unit, Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU), Memory Unit, Registers, and
Inputs/Outputs. Von Neumann architecture is based on the stored program
computer concept, where instruction data and program data are stored in the
same memory. This design is still used in most computers produced today.
Fig. 1:Von Neumann Architecture.
Harvard Architecture:
This architecture is an enhancement of Von Neumann
architecture. It contains separate instruction memory and data
memory.
The instruction and data memories have separate data paths.
This increases the processing speed of the processor. The
processors having separate instruction and data caches use
Harvard architecture.
Practice Questions:
1. Write a short note on Microprocessor.
2. What are the differences between Microprocessor and Microcontroller?
3. What is Word Length of a Microprocessor?
4. What is the main difference between an 8-bit microprocessor and a 16-bit
microprocessor?
5. State the types of architectures of microprocessors with short descriptions.
6. Write a short note about Von Neumann Architecture with an appropriate
figure.

Ref: Lecture Note of Imran Chowdhury, Assistant Professor, Dept. of EEE, NUB

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