What are microprocessors and what are the types of microprocessor?
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The microprocessor is nothing but the CPU and it is an essential component of the computer. It is a silicon chip that comprises millions of transistors and other electronic components that process millions of instructions per second. A Microprocessor is a versatile chip, that is combined with memory and special purpose chips and preprogrammed by a software. It accepts digital data as i/p and processes it according to the instructions stored in the memory.The microprocessor has many functions like functions of data storage, interact with various other devices and other time related functions. But, the main function is to send and receive the data to make the function of the computer well. This article discusses about the types and evolution of microprocessor.Please follow this link for Microprocessor History and Generation of Microprocessor
Microprocessor
Microprocessor
Evolution of Microprocessor
The microprocessor has become more essential part of many gadgets. The evolution of microprocessors was divided into five generations such as first, second, third, fourth and fifth generation and the characteristics of these generations are discussed below.
Evolution of Microprocessors
Evolution of Microprocessors
First Generation Microprocessors
The first generation microprocessors were introduced in the year 1971-1972. The instructions of these microprocessors were processed serially, they fetched the instruction, decoded and then executed it. When an instruction of the microprocessor was finished, then the microprocessor updates the instruction pointer & fetched the following instruction, performing this consecutive operation for each instruction in turn.
Second Generation Microprocessors
In the year 1970, small amount of transistors were available on the integrated circuit in the second generation microprocessors. Examples of the second generation microprocessors are 16-bit arithmetic 7 pipelined instruction processing, MC68000 Motorola microprocessor. These processors are introduced in the year 1979, and Intel 8080 processor is another example of the microprocessor. The second generation of the microprocessor is defined by overlapped fetch, decode and execute the steps. When the first generation is processed in the execution unit, then the second instruction is decoded and the third instruction is fetched.
The difference between the first generation microprocessor and second generation microprocessors was mainly the use of new semiconductor technologies to manufacture the chips. The result of this technology resulted in a fivefold increase in instruction, speed, execution and higher chip densities.
Third Generation Microprocessors
The third generation microprocessors were introduced in the year 1978, as denoted by Intel’s 8086 and the Zilog Z8000. These were 16-bit processors with a performance like mini computers. These types of microprocessors were different from the previous generations of microprocessors in that all main workstation industrialists began evolving their own ISC based microprocessor architectures.
Fourth Generation Microprocessors
As many industries converted from commercial microprocessors to in house designs, the fourth generation microprocessors are entered with outstanding design with a million transistors. Leading edge microprocessors like Motorola’s 88100 and Intel’s 80960CA could issue & retire more than one instruction per clock cycle.
Fifth Generation Microprocessors
Fifth generation microprocessors employed decoupled super scalar processing, and their design soon exceeded 10 million transistors. In fifth generation, PCs are a low-margin, high volume business conquered by a single microprocessor.
Types of Microprocessor
Microprocessors are classified into five types, namely: CISC-Complex Instruction Set Microprocessors, RISC-Reduced Instruction Set Microprocessor, ASIC- Application Specific Integrated Circuit, Superscalar Processors, DSP’s-Digital Signal Microprocessors.
Types Of Microprocessors
Types Of Microprocessors
Complex Instruction Set Microprocessors
The short term of Complex Instruction Set Microprocessors is CISM and they classify a microprocessor in which orders can be performed together along with other low level activities. These types of processors performs the different tasks like downloading, uploading, recalling data into the memory card and recalling data from the memory card. Apart from these tasks, it also does complex mathematical calculations in a single command.
Reduced Instruction Set Microprocessor
The short term of Reduced Instruction Set Microprocessor is RISC. These types of processors are made according to the function in which the microprocessor can carry out small things in specific command. In this way these processors completes more commands at a faster rate.
MICROPROCESSOR
A microprocessor is a digital electronic device in which millions of transistors are designed using integrated circuits as integrated circuits or ICs. This also serves as the CPU or CPU, the central processing unit of the computer. The invention of integrated circuits was the way forward for the creation of a microprocessor.
Before microprocessors came into existence, CPUs were built by connecting individual electronic components or by circuits with small-scale integration. The first microprocessor was built in the 1960s. It was then used to compute binary coded decimal BCD in electronic calculators. Later, 6 and 7 bit microprocessors were used in terminals, printers and automation devices.
There are mainly two large microprocessor manufacturing companies in the world - Intel INTEL and AMD. Among these, processors of Intel company are used more. Each company gives different code names according to the technology and capacity of the processors, such as Intel's main processors are Pantium 1, Pantium 2, Pantium 3, Pantium 4, Celeron, Core to Duo etc. Amd The major processors of the company are K-5, K-6, Athelon etc.