Chapter 1: Microprocessors Flashcards
Describe/Explain what a microprocessor is?
- Microprocessor or CPU is the heart of any computing system.
- A single integrated circuit that is all implemented on a single piece of semiconductor.
- A programmable device that takes inputs, processes them according to a set of instructions that are stored in memory and then produces outputs. The inputs and outputs usually consist of digital information
What is a microprocessor responsible for?
- Getting data or information from system inputs
- Storing that information in the system memory
- Manipulating the information
- Sending the results of the manipulation to the system memory or an output
Break down levels in a microprocessor?
- switches control electrons
- creates 1 and 0
- logic gates
- addition and subtraction
- Arithimetic logic unit
What is the process of VLSI?
VERY LARGE SCALE INTEGRATION
is the process of combining all these different gates onto a single chip, a single piece of semiconductor. Millions can be combined.
VLSI block diagram for a microprocessor unit?
The Digital building blocks of a microprocessor?
- Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
- Registers
- Memory arrays – these can be located on-chip and off-chip
- Counters
Describe what is done by the ALU?
- Addition
- Subtraction
- Comparisons
- Shifters and Rotators
- Multiplication
- Division
Describe what is done by the Registers?
A place to store data very close to the CPU
Describe what is done by the memory arrays?
- Can be located on and off the chip
- RAM – random access memory
- ROM – read only memory
What is ABSTRACTION?
Computers are designed and built in such a way to simplify each level of scale for engineers working above.
Example of ABSTRACTION?
the semiconductor physicists will create a set of tools for the engineer to create a binary counting circuit.
The Hierarchy of abstraction?
