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Difference between revisions of "microprocessor"

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A '''microprocessor''' ('''µP''', '''MPU''') is a single [[integrated circuit]] chip that contains the [[central processing unit]] (CPU). A microprocessor is a multipurpose, digital device, that reads in digital data consisting of values and instructions; executes them by interpreting the instructions and performing a certain operation; and finally outputs a result. Today, microprocessors can be found in just about every digital device from watches to TVs to phones and laptops. The worldwide annual production of microprocessors stand at over 200 billion units per year.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/forbes/1999/0531/6311070a.html Dig more coal -- the PCs are coming] - Forbes, 2013</ref><ref>[http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=31338 Processed silicon is more valuable than gold, ounce for ounce. Look beyond the technical aspect and dive into the business side of semiconductors.] - Informit, 2013</ref>
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A '''microprocessor''' ('''µP''', '''MPU''') is a device that implements the core elements of a computer system on a single [[integrated circuit]], or at most a few integrated circuits. Modern microprocessors typically incorporate the functionality of a [[clock generator|clock]], [[central processing unit]] (CPU), [[arithmetic logic unit]] (ALU), [[control unit]] (CU), [[memory interface]]s, [[interrupt handler|interrupts]], [[input/output]] interfaces, and [[cache]]. Specialized microprocessor may also serve as or include [[graphical processing unit]]s (GPUs), [[digital signal processor|signal processing units]] (DSPs), [[memory]], and various converters.
  
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Since the inception of the first microprocessor in 1971, the [[Intel 4004]], microprocessors have evolved into a large discipline in the computer engineering industry. Many different design patterns have been developed over the years which resulted in many different instruction set architectures. With the constant advancements of fabrication capabilities, microprocessors have been increasingly getting more complex, more powerful, and more compact.
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== functionality==
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The basic functionality of a microprocessor is to continuously read in digital data consisting of instructions and possibly values; executes them by interpreting the instructions and performing a certain operation on the values; and finally outputs a result.
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== History ==
 
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The year of solid state electronics began in the late 1940s with the introduction of the [[bipolar transistor]]. Within a decade, multiple transistors and resistors soldered onto a single semiconductor substrate were being manufactured. By the late 1950s and early 60s large fabrication manufacturing companies were established such as [[Fairchild Semiconductor]].
 
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During most of the 1960s ICs were made of a few dozen to a few hundreds transistors. These [[small-scale Integration|small]] and [[medium-scale Integration|medium scale]] integrated circuits were soldered together in various way to form more complex logic. Early computers were made of hundreds to thousands such [[discrete logic]] chips. These systems suffered from many problems such as large power consumption, heat issues, and latency issues.
 
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With the advancement in fabrication technology, more transistors were fabricated onto a single chip. During the late 1960s there was a growing idea that all the necessary logic to make a functioning computer could be fabricated onto a single chip. The first computer on a single integrated circuit patent was filed by [[Gilbert P. Hyatt]] on December 28, 1970 (Patent [http://www.google.com/patents/US4942516 US4942516]).
 
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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== References ==
 
== References ==
 
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Revision as of 03:24, 25 December 2015

A microprocessor (µP, MPU) is a device that implements the core elements of a computer system on a single integrated circuit, or at most a few integrated circuits. Modern microprocessors typically incorporate the functionality of a clock, central processing unit (CPU), arithmetic logic unit (ALU), control unit (CU), memory interfaces, interrupts, input/output interfaces, and cache. Specialized microprocessor may also serve as or include graphical processing units (GPUs), signal processing units (DSPs), memory, and various converters.

functionality

The basic functionality of a microprocessor is to continuously read in digital data consisting of instructions and possibly values; executes them by interpreting the instructions and performing a certain operation on the values; and finally outputs a result.

See also

References


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