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
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.
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, was 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.
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.
Superscalar Microprocessors
Superscalar processor facsimiles the
hardware on the processor to perform various tasks at a time. These
processors can be used for ALUs or multipliers. They have different
operational units and these processors can carry out more than a one
command by continuously transmitting several instructions to the extra
operational units inside the processor.
The Application Specific Integrated Circuit
The short term of Application Specific Integrated Circuit processor
is an ASIC. These processors are used for particular purposes that
includes of automotive emissions control or personal digital assistant’s
computer. This type of processor is made with proper specification, but
apart from these it can also be made with off the shelf gears.
Digital Signal Multiprocessors
Digital signal processors are also
called as DSP’s, these processors are used to encode and decode the
videos or to convert the D/A (digital to analog) &A/D (analog to digital).
They need a microprocessor that is excellent in mathematical
calculations. The chips of this processor are employed in RADAR, home
theaters, SONAR, audio gears, TV set top boxes and Mobile phones
There are many companies like Intel,
Motorola, DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation ), TI (Texas Instruments)
associated with many microprocessors such as 8085 microprocessors, ASIC,
CISM, RISC, DSPs and 8086 microprocessors like Intel
Advantages and Disadvantages of Microprocessors
The advantages of microprocessors are- The processing speed is high
- Intelligence has been brought to systems
- Flexible.
- Compact size.
- Easy maintenance
- Complex mathematics
Some of the disadvantages of
microprocessor are it might get overheated and the limitation of the
microprocessor imposes on size of data.
The applications of the microprocessors mainly involve in controllers in home appliances, wireless communication equipments, office publication and automation, consumer electronic goods, calculators, accounting system, video games, industrial controllers and data acquisition systems
This is all about types and evolution of
microprocessor.The availability of microprocessor with low power, low
cost, small weight and computing capability make it useful in various
applications. In present days, a microprocessor based systems are used
in automatic testing product, traffic signal control systems, instructions, speed control of motors, , etc. Furthermore, any doubts regarding this article or electronic and electrical projects, please give your comments in the comment section box.Here is a question for you, which stack is used in 8085 microprocessor?
No comments:
Post a Comment