CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT(CPU) PROCESSOR

ICT CLASS
 CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT(CPU) PROCESSOR
The CPU is described as the computer’s “brain” that monitors all the computer operation.

It is the unit inside the computer where all software instruction, math and logic operations
are carried out

In microcomputers, the CPU is implemented in a single silicon device called a

microprocessor.

The CPU is one of the most expensive & delicate components of the motherboard.

CPU has a large fan (known as the heat sink) screwed on top of it that keep the CPU cool
while the system is on. This is because the CPU gets very hot when it is in operation
 The speed of processing will depend on: -

CPU frequency i.e. time duration of 1 clock pulse

The number of steps involved in executing a full instruction.

The access time of the computer i.e. the time required to access any one memory
address.
 Functions of central processing unit/processor

To control the use of the main memory in storing of data & instructions.

To control the sequence of operations within the computer.

To give command to all parts of the system.

To carry out data processing.

 Factors that affects the performance of a processor
Overheating

Incorrect configuration

Failed components

Running the processor at the wrong speed.

Incompatibility

Processor inserted the wrong way.

 Basic features of a microprocessor system
The CPU (processor) is made up of 3 major/main components

Control unit(CU)

Arithmetic Logic Unit(ALU)

Main memory unit(MMU)

Other components include

Registers

Accumulator

Buses
 Control Unit
The control unit act as the manager of the computer.
Its main work is to control, supervise and coordinate all the activities of the various units
of the computer.
It coordinates and control the activities of the different components of the computer
system.
The control unit carries out the fetching, decoding and execution of the instruction.
It fetches/select the required instruction from main memory stores it in number of
special registers.
It interprets the instruction and causes the instruction to be executed by sending
appropriate signals to the appropriate hardware device.
 Functions of the control unit
It coordinates and control various parts of the computer system namely main memory,
ALU and the peripherals devices.

It maintains order and control all the operations or activities inside the processor.

It stores the results in the memory.

It determines the location of the memory that contain the next instruction to be
retrieved.

It connects the required circuits to enable the ALU to process the data in storage, as
specified by the program.
It directs sequence of operations and manages commands exchange between the
ALU, I/O units and the memory.

It retrieves and interprets instruction from the main storage by giving commands
to the rest of the computer.

It controls the transfer of unprocessed data to the main storage and results from
the main storage.

It monitors the CPU operations and identifies problems such as equipment
malfunction, illogical instruction or erroneous data finding way into the system
and flashes them on the computer screen.
 ARITHMETIC LOGIC UNIT(ALU)

• This is the part of the processor that performs all the arithmetic operation such as
adding or multiplying figures and logical operations needed to solve a particular
problem.

• The ALU also performs logic function like AND, NOT, OR, TRUE, FALSE and
IF.
 Functions of Arithmetic logic unit(ALU)
The ALU has 2 main functions

• It carries out the arithmetic operations.

• it performs logical operations and comparison on data

Other Minor function of ALU include

• It performs output of variable(logical)function.

• It performs branching of prefixed condition

 ACCUMULATOR

It is a storage device in the ALU where all the answers from both arithmetic and
logical operations are stored temporarily before being transferred to the memory.

A register in the ALU is allocation which operations & instructions are placed
and in which arithmetical results are formed.
 COMPUTER BUS
• The arithmetic and logic unit(ALU), the control unit(CU) and the main
memory(MM) uses electrical pathways or links known as Buses.

• Computer bus- It is a communication path/medium within the computer that

allows different elements of the computer to communicate with each other.
 There are 3 major types of computer buses
Data bus-this is the pathway that carries the actual data being processed.

Address bus-this is the pathway used to locate/specify physical address/location.

Control bus-this is the pathway used by the CPUs for communicating with other
devices within the computer.

-the control bus carries commands from CPU and returns status signal from the
device.
 Functions of a computer bus
It allows different elements of the computer to communicate with each other.

Acts as electrical connection linking internal sections of a computer such as

processor, expansion cards and peripheral such as keyboard and other input
devices.

It also act as parallel collection of conductors that carry data and control signals
from one unit to another.
 Register
• In order to enable control unit to carry out the various functions certain registers are
used such as

Sequence control Register (also known as the program counter)

• It controls the order in which the instructions are carried out.

• It contains the address of the next instruction in the computer program to be executed..

Instruction registers

• It stores a copy of the instruction being processed.

• The instruction register is connected to the instruction decoder.

 Instruction decoder.
It decodes(interprets) the instruction received from the instruction registers and send
signals to the control switches of the computer.
Address register.
Each location in a memory has its own address, which allow us to get directly to any
program instruction or item of data stored within the memory.
Address-a label, name or a number identifying a storage location or a device from
which information is received or to which it is transmitted.
Address registers-are 16bit registers used for the storage of addresses, they are
connected to the address bus.
Address modification-the process of changing the address part of a machine instruction
by means of coded instruction
 System clock
In order to be able to fetch and execute instruction, the CPU uses a timing signal
provided by a system clock attached to the CPU.

The clock is an electronic system that is used to control the processor on when to fetch
the next instruction from the main memory.

The clock sorts out all the internal paths inside the processor to make sure that data gets
from the right place and goes to the right place.

The clock is an oscillator that generates timing pulse (at a frequenting of several
megahertz) to synchronize the computer operation and ensure that the operation occurs
at the right time.