It322 intro
- 1. IT322: MICROPROCESSOR BASED DESIGN INTRODUCTION
- 2. Microprocessors • A microprocessor is the brain, the soul as well as the heart a computer system. • It includes all the logical functions, data storage, timing functions and interaction with other peripheral devices. • The term microprocessor is used interchangeably with the term Central Processing Unit (CPU). • The CPU coordinates all functions of a computer. • It incorporates the functions of a computer’s CPU on a single integrated circuit or at most a few integrated circuits. • It is a multipurpose, programmable device that accepts digital data as input, processes it according to instructions stored in its memory and provides results as output.
- 3. Microprocessors cont’d … • It generates timing signals, sends and receives data to and from every peripheral used inside and/or outside the computer. • The commands required to do this are fed into the device in form of current variations which are converted into meaningful instructions by use of Boolean logic system. • Functions are divided into two categories:- logical and processing functions - The ALU and the Control Unit handle these functions respectively. • Information is communicated through a bunch of wires called buses; - the address bus carries the address of the location with which communication is desired - the data bus carries the data that is being exchanged.
- 4. Microprocessors cont’d … A processor may be referred to as a circuitry that responds to and processes basic instructions that drive a computer. CPU – hardware in a computer that helps execute a program(s) When such a processor is in a PC / Desktop or is embedded in a small device(s), it is referred to as a microprocessor. Examples: • Intel – Pentium family (I, II, III, IV), Itanium family (i3, i5, i7) • AMD – FX family, A series • ARM
- 5. Microprocessors cont’d … • They are designed for specific purpose; graphics processing, application specific instruction set, application specific for particular use case, digital signals, image processor, smartphones Instruction Set Architecture • Boundary between software and hardware. • Is described using five (5) categories; (i) Operand storage (ii) Number of operands in an instruction (iii) Operations (iv) Operation location – memory or registers (v) Type and size of operands
- 6. Applications • Thousands of items nowadays include microprocessors; including large and small household appliances, cars, related accessories, tools and test instruments, toys, light switches / dimmers, circuit breakers, smoke detectors / alarms, hi-fi audio / visual components, cellular phones, HDTV – Explora (DSTV), PVR Processor Categories • Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC), which offers many specialized instructions, some of which may only be rarely used in practical programs. • Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC), which simplifies the processor by only implementing instructions that are frequently used in programs; unusual operations are implemented as subroutines where extra processor execution time is offset by their rare use. • Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW), where the processor receives many instructions encoded and retrieved in one instruction word.