Lecture 05: Microprocessor
109101– Introduction to ICT
Sheeraz Ahmad Khan
Lecturer (CS)
Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad
Today’s Objectives:
• To study Microprocessor and its various Subsystems
Microprocessor:
• The Brain of the computer
• Silicon Chip (IC)
• Latest microprocessor has around 1.2 trillion transistors
• Performs Billions of Instructions per second
• Combines with other devices such as Memory and I/O to form a
“Microprocessor system”
Microprocessor Models:
• The “Calculator” Model
• Should be able to
• Take Data
• Decode
• Execute
• Give Results
Components Required for the “Calculator”
Model
• Control Unit; for decoding signals and activate the devices
(memories, buses, registers) in a proper sequence
• Arithmetic Unit; to perform mathematical calculations
Machine Cycle
• The series of steps taken by the CPU to execute an instruction is
called ‘Machine Cycle’
• Two smaller Cycles
• Instruction Cycle
• Execution Cycle
• Instruction Cycle
1. Fetching: Fetching a command from memory
2. Decoding: Map the command to Instructions
Machine Cycle
• Execution Cycle
1. Executing: CPU converts the instructions into microcode and carries them
out
2. Storing: (Optional) The CPU stores the result somewhere in the memory
Machine Cycle
Components of a Microprocessor
• Memory; stores data and instructions
• Bus Interface Unit; transfers data in and out of the Processor,
instructions into the Processor
• Instruction Decoder; Decodes Instructions
• Arithmetic and Logic Unit; Performs Math, Comparisons and Logical
Operations on Integers
• Control Unit; Controls and Manages all the Processing
The Memory Bottleneck:
• Accessing RAM for Data/Instructions is slow
• Solution:
• Registers attached to the ALU (for data currently in use)
• Cache Memory (for most frequently used data)
• Internal Cache (on processor chip)
• Instruction Cache
• Data Cache
• External Cache (on motherboard)
The “Real Numbers” Processing:
• Real Numbers
• Use in Computing
• Floating Point Unit; Processes the Real Numbers faster than an
ALU
The Final Picture:
Data
Cache
Memory
Bus Control Arithmetic
RAM Bus Unit & Logic
Interface Unit
I/O Unit Instruction Registers
System Decoder
Bus Floating
Point
Instruction Unit
Cache Registers
The Instruction Set:
• A Microprocessor’s Language; Low-Level, Single Step Instructions
• Also called Program code, Binary code or Machine code
• Difficult to change after implementation
• Architecture dependant
• Design Issues:
• Silicon Real Estate
• Cost
• Expandability
• Legacy Support
• Complexity
• Power Consumption
• Deign Types
• CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer)
• RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer)
Microcontroller
(A Microprocessor system):
• Basic components of a microprocessor system combined on a single
chip
• The CPU core
• RAM and ROM
• I/O ports (Parallel & Serial)
• Timers and Interrupts
• Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC), etc
Microcontrollers
• Used in Autonomous Systems
• ovens, ATMs, vehicles
• Advantage:
• Compact integrated design on single chip
• Reduced interface
Moore’s Law:
• Presented by Gordon Moore, 1965,
Intel Corp.
• No. of Transistors on the Processor
Chip Will Double in 18 months
Better Future Processors?
• Capabilities should Include:
• Higher Clock Frequency
• Greater Word Width
• More Functioning Units
• Better Caching Algorithm
• Right Cache Size
• What else?