What is Microprocessors ? Microprecessors

Introduction

A computer is a machine that is capable of accepting data, processing it and displaying the appropriate output. It can also store data and perform a set of complex calculations to accomplish complicated tasks. These calculations are performed by Central Processing Unit (CPU) of the system. CPU is also known as the microprocessor which is the heart of the system. Microprocessor accepts input from input devices such as keyboard or mouse in the form of data and instructions. It processes the data using instructions and sends processed information to the output device such as the monitor or printer.

Working of the Microprocessor

The microprocessor is a complex chip in the system. Different parts of microprocessor work together to process the data give the user valuable information. To process the data, microprocessor accepts data from the user, processes the data, and displaying the processed information. 

The parts of the microprocessor are:

• Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)-Performs all the arithmetic calculation such as addition, subtraction and the logical calculation using the AND and Or operators.

• Control Unit (CU)-Controls the flow of the data and information to other units of the microprocessor.

• Decode Unit-De4codes the various instructions sent to the microprocessor. It converts data to a language that is understood by the microprocessor.

• Instruction Cache-Stores the instructions that are required to process the data.

• Prefetch Unit-Controls the flow of the data and gives instructions to the Decode unit from the Instructions cache. This reduces the program execution time.

• Bus Unit-Connects the internal units of the microprocessor like the control unit and prefetch unit. The bus unit also connects the CPU and external parts of the computer such as RAM and other I/O devices. Thus it is responsible for the flow of data and instructions from in and out of the microprocessor.

• Data Cache-Stores data in the microprocessor that is further used for processing.

• Registers-Store data required by the ALU unit.

Speed of Microprocessor

The speed of the microprocessor various factors, such as the number of instructions it processes, the bandwidth, and the clock speed. An instruction is a command that the microprocessor executes. The bandwidth specifies the number of binary digits that the microprocessor can process in a single instruction. The clock speed specifies the speed at which the microprocessor processes an instruction. 

The speed of microprocessor also depends on the number of transistors built into the processor. The transistors in the microprocessor boost the data signals on the processor. The larger the number of transistors built on the microprocessor the faster is the speed of the microprocessor. The advancements in technology have reduced the size of the transistors and have increased the processing speed of the processor. 

Multitasking

Multitasking enables the processor to run multiple programs simultaneously. The processor's speed is very large compared to the speed of I/O devices. Thus, a processor waiting for an I/O operation makes the processor idle for that time period./ To utilize the processor time more efficiently multitasking was introduced. Some of the multitasking methods are listed below:

• Preemptive Multitasking-Stops currently running process if it exceeds its given execution time and starts the next process in the queue.

• Priority Multitasking-Gives priorities to processes and stops a lower priority process for a higher priority process. 

Multiprocessing

The multiprocessing or parallel processing is the technology used for simultaneously running more than one process. Using two processors simultaneously may double the performance given by a system having just one process unit. Each of the Processing units runs independently and may or may not have Individual cache memory.