What is a Microprocessor?
The microprocessor is called the brain of the computer. Nowadays, it is found in most electronic devices, such as computers and smartphones. Actually, the microprocessor is the technology that enables our computers and smartphones to process so fast. Let us learn about it in detail today.
A microprocessor is an integrated circuit (IC) that is manufactured using state-of-the-art VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) technology. It contains millions of transistors, gates and other electronic components on a small chip.It is a Programmable Processing Unit. This means that the microprocessor can be given a set of instructions for various tasks, which we know as software.
The microprocessor is capable of performing the following functions.- Instruction Fetch
- Instruction Decode
- Data Processing
- Result Output
- Control Signals
Modern microprocessors typically have the following subdivisions:- Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
- Control Unit (CU)
- Register File
- Cache
- Scratchpad Memory
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): ALU performs all mathematical and logical operations on data.In simple language, when you use a calculator application in a computer, all this processing is performed by ALU.
Control Unit (CU): Control Unit (CU) is an important part of CPU (Central Processing Unit) which is also called "brain". It is responsible for reading, understanding and completing instructions. CU also coordinates between ALU (Arithmetic and Logical Unit) and other components.
Following are the main functions of the control unit:- Decoding instructions
- Controlling the ALU
- Controlling data flow
- Generating clock signals
- Managing interval timers
Registers: Registers are very fast, short-term storage in a computer's processor. These are small memory slots that can store very small amounts of data, but they are vital to running the computer.
You can understand it like this: whenever a program runs, the processor needs to process instructions and data. This data is kept in registers for a short time so that the processor can quickly access them and work on them. The speed of accessing registers is much faster than normal RAM, which is why they are important.
There are many types of CPU registers, each of which has a specific function. For example:
Instruction Register (IR): This register holds the instruction that the processor is currently executing.
Accumulator (ACC): It is a small and fast storage space which plays an important role for mathematical and logical calculations.
Program Counter (PC): The program counter (PC), also called the instruction pointer (IP), is a special-purpose register in the CPU. This register stores the address of the memory location from which the CPU should fetch the next instruction.
This is vital to the operation of the CPU because it ensures that instructions are executed in the correct order.
How the program counter works: - When a program starts, the program counter is set to the memory location of the first instruction.
- The CPU fetches the instruction from that location from memory.
- The instruction is decoded and executed.
- After the instruction is executed, the program counter is updated to the memory location of the next instruction.
Steps 2 to 4 are repeated until all the instructions are executed.
Cache Memory: Cache memory is a type of high-speed RAM, but it is much faster than main RAM. It is a small memory chip located near the CPU. Since it is close to the CPU, the time taken to bring and take data is reduced considerably.
Cache memory is divided into many cache levels, of which L1 (level 1) is the fastest and smallest and L3 (level 3) is the slowest and largest. Each level of cache has its own specific data.
Many algorithms are used to store and retrieve data in the cache memory. These algorithms decide which data should be kept in the cache and when it should be removed.
For example, if you open a website every day, then the cache memory stores some parts of that website with itself. So that the next time you open that website, it does not need to be retrieved again from RAM or hard disk. This makes the website open very fast.
Even though the cache memory is small, it is very fast. It is located very close to the CPU, so there is no delay in bringing and taking data. However, not everything can be stored in the cache memory, because its space is limited. Therefore, only those things are kept which are needed the most.
Scratchpad Memory: A type of high-speed cache memory in the CPU (central processing unit). It is used to temporarily store data that the CPU accesses frequently. You can think of it the same way you use a scratchpad or slate for some rough work.
Friends, I have made a detailed post about scratchpad memory, you can read it by going to the feed section.
Important questions related to microprocessor are now available in quiz! To play them, go to quiz section.
Friends, if you liked this post, please share it with your friends. Rate the app and give your review to support Basic Electronics in Hindi. Thanks!
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A microprocessor is an integrated circuit (IC) that is manufactured using state-of-the-art VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) technology. It contains millions of transistors, gates and other electronic components on a small chip.
It is a Programmable Processing Unit. This means that the microprocessor can be given a set of instructions for various tasks, which we know as software.
The microprocessor is capable of performing the following functions.
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): ALU performs all mathematical and logical operations on data.
You can understand it like this: whenever a program runs, the processor needs to process instructions and data. This data is kept in registers for a short time so that the processor can quickly access them and work on them. The speed of accessing registers is much faster than normal RAM, which is why they are important.
There are many types of CPU registers, each of which has a specific function. For example:
Instruction Register (IR): This register holds the instruction that the processor is currently executing.
Accumulator (ACC): It is a small and fast storage space which plays an important role for mathematical and logical calculations.
Program Counter (PC): The program counter (PC), also called the instruction pointer (IP), is a special-purpose register in the CPU. This register stores the address of the memory location from which the CPU should fetch the next instruction.
This is vital to the operation of the CPU because it ensures that instructions are executed in the correct order.
How the program counter works:
Cache Memory: Cache memory is a type of high-speed RAM, but it is much faster than main RAM. It is a small memory chip located near the CPU. Since it is close to the CPU, the time taken to bring and take data is reduced considerably.
Cache memory is divided into many cache levels, of which L1 (level 1) is the fastest and smallest and L3 (level 3) is the slowest and largest. Each level of cache has its own specific data.
Many algorithms are used to store and retrieve data in the cache memory. These algorithms decide which data should be kept in the cache and when it should be removed.
Even though the cache memory is small, it is very fast. It is located very close to the CPU, so there is no delay in bringing and taking data. However, not everything can be stored in the cache memory, because its space is limited. Therefore, only those things are kept which are needed the most.
Scratchpad Memory: A type of high-speed cache memory in the CPU (central processing unit). It is used to temporarily store data that the CPU accesses frequently. You can think of it the same way you use a scratchpad or slate for some rough work.
Friends, I have made a detailed post about scratchpad memory, you can read it by going to the feed section.
The microprocessor is capable of performing the following functions.- Instruction Fetch
- Instruction Decode
- Data Processing
- Result Output
- Control Signals
Modern microprocessors typically have the following subdivisions:- Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
- Control Unit (CU)
- Register File
- Cache
- Scratchpad Memory
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): ALU performs all mathematical and logical operations on data.
In simple language, when you use a calculator application in a computer, all this processing is performed by ALU.
Control Unit (CU): Control Unit (CU) is an important part of CPU (Central Processing Unit) which is also called "brain". It is responsible for reading, understanding and completing instructions. CU also coordinates between ALU (Arithmetic and Logical Unit) and other components.
Following are the main functions of the control unit:
Control Unit (CU): Control Unit (CU) is an important part of CPU (Central Processing Unit) which is also called "brain". It is responsible for reading, understanding and completing instructions. CU also coordinates between ALU (Arithmetic and Logical Unit) and other components.
Following are the main functions of the control unit:
- Decoding instructions
- Controlling the ALU
- Controlling data flow
- Generating clock signals
- Managing interval timers
You can understand it like this: whenever a program runs, the processor needs to process instructions and data. This data is kept in registers for a short time so that the processor can quickly access them and work on them. The speed of accessing registers is much faster than normal RAM, which is why they are important.
There are many types of CPU registers, each of which has a specific function. For example:
Instruction Register (IR): This register holds the instruction that the processor is currently executing.
Accumulator (ACC): It is a small and fast storage space which plays an important role for mathematical and logical calculations.
Program Counter (PC): The program counter (PC), also called the instruction pointer (IP), is a special-purpose register in the CPU. This register stores the address of the memory location from which the CPU should fetch the next instruction.
This is vital to the operation of the CPU because it ensures that instructions are executed in the correct order.
How the program counter works:
- When a program starts, the program counter is set to the memory location of the first instruction.
- The CPU fetches the instruction from that location from memory.
- The instruction is decoded and executed.
- After the instruction is executed, the program counter is updated to the memory location of the next instruction.
Cache Memory: Cache memory is a type of high-speed RAM, but it is much faster than main RAM. It is a small memory chip located near the CPU. Since it is close to the CPU, the time taken to bring and take data is reduced considerably.
Cache memory is divided into many cache levels, of which L1 (level 1) is the fastest and smallest and L3 (level 3) is the slowest and largest. Each level of cache has its own specific data.
Many algorithms are used to store and retrieve data in the cache memory. These algorithms decide which data should be kept in the cache and when it should be removed.
For example, if you open a website every day, then the cache memory stores some parts of that website with itself. So that the next time you open that website, it does not need to be retrieved again from RAM or hard disk. This makes the website open very fast.
Even though the cache memory is small, it is very fast. It is located very close to the CPU, so there is no delay in bringing and taking data. However, not everything can be stored in the cache memory, because its space is limited. Therefore, only those things are kept which are needed the most.
Scratchpad Memory: A type of high-speed cache memory in the CPU (central processing unit). It is used to temporarily store data that the CPU accesses frequently. You can think of it the same way you use a scratchpad or slate for some rough work.
Friends, I have made a detailed post about scratchpad memory, you can read it by going to the feed section.
Important questions related to microprocessor are now available in quiz! To play them, go to quiz section.
Friends, if you liked this post, please share it with your friends. Rate the app and give your review to support Basic Electronics in Hindi. Thanks!
Friends, if you liked this post, please share it with your friends. Rate the app and give your review to support Basic Electronics in Hindi. Thanks!
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