Microprocessor and MicroController

Microprocessor

The computer you are using to read this page uses a microprocessor. A microprocessor incorporates most or all of the functions of a central processing unit (CPU) on a single integrated circuit (IC). The first microprocessors emerged in the early 1970s and were used for electronic calculators, using binary-coded decimal (BCD) arithmetic on 4-bit words. Other embedded uses of 4- and 8-bit microprocessors, such as terminals, printers, various kinds of automation etc, followed rather quickly. Affordable 8-bit microprocessors with 16-bit addressing also led to the first general purpose microcomputers in the mid-1970s.

A microprocessor is a computer processor on a microchip. It's sometimes called a logic chip. It is the "engine" that goes into motion when you turn your computer on. A microprocessor is designed to perform arithmetic and logic operations that make use of small number-holding areas called registers. Typical microprocessor operations include adding, subtracting, comparing two numbers, and fetching numbers from one area to another. These operations are the result of a set of instructions that are part of the microprocessor design. When the computer is turned on, the microprocessor is designed to get the first instruction from the basic input/output system (BIOS) that comes with the computer as part of its memory. After that, either the BIOS, or the operating system that BIOS loads into computer memory, or an application progam is "driving" the microprocessor, giving it instructions to perform.

A device that integrates the functions of the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer onto one semiconductor chip or integrated circuit (IC). In essence, the microprocessor contains the core elements of a computer system, its computation and control engine. Only a power supply, memory, peripheral interface ICs, and peripherals (typically input/output and storage devices) need be added to build a complete computer system.

A microprocessor consists of multiple internal function units. A basic design has an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a control unit, a memory interface, an interrupt or exception controller, and an internal cache. More sophisticated microprocessors might also contain extra units that assist in floating-point match calculations, program branching, or vector processing (see illustration).

A microprocessor consists of multiple independent function units. The memory interface fetches instructions from, and writes data to, external memory. The control unit iss ues o ne or more instructions to other function units. These units process the instructions in parallel to boost performance.

The ALU performs all basic computational operations: arithmetic, logical, and comparisons.

The control unit orchestrates the operation of the other units. It fetches instructions from the on-chip cache, decodes them, and then executes them. Each instruction has the control unit direct the other function units through a sequence of steps that carry out the instruction's intent. The execution path taken by the control unit can depend upon status bits produced by the arithmetic logic unit or the floating-point unit (FPU) after the instruction sequence completes. This capability implements conditional execution control flow, which is a critical element for general-purpose computation.

The memory interface enables the microprocessor to maintain two-way communication with off-chip semiconductor memory, which stores programs and data. This interface typically supports memory reads and writes in blocks of words (the number of bits that the processor operates on at one time). The block size facilitates burst data transfers to and from the chip's internal cache.

The interrupt or exception controller enables the microprocessor to respond to requests from the external environment or to error conditions by allowing interruptions of the ongoing operation. An interrupt might be an external peripheral requesting service, while an exception typically consists of a floating-point math error or an unrecognized instruction. The interrupt controller can prioritize and selectively handle these interrupts.

The internal cache is an on-chip memory storage area that holds recently used data values or instruction sequences that are likely to be used again in the near future. Since this information is already on-chip, it can be accessed rapidly, thereby accelerating the computation rate. Items not in the cache can take several or more extra operations to access, which significantly degrades the computation rate. Software writers often organize a program's code and data structures so that the most frequently used elements often occupy the cache, thus maintaining a high level of computational throughput. See also Computer storage technology; Computer systems architecture.

The design of instruction sets (the commands that produce basic work when executed by the microprocessor) often influences the design of the microprocessor itself. Instruction sets—and as a consequence, the microprocessor architecture—are of two types: reduced instruction set computers (RISC) and complex instruction set computers (CISC). Because of the limits of early computer technology, most computers were by necessity RISC machines. Since most of the software was written in assembly language (that is, a programming language that represented the program's intent in actual machine instructions), there was a drive to build instruction sets of greater sophistication and complexity. These new CISC instruction sets made assembly language programming easier, but they also made it difficult to build high-speed computer hardware. First, CISC instructions were harder to decode. In addition, since CISC instructions involved long and complex operation sequences, they incurred a major cost by requiring more complicated logic to implement. Second, such instructions were also difficult to interrupt or abort if an exception occurred. Finally, such instructions usually carried many data dependencies that made it more difficult to support advanced architectural techniques. By returning to a RISC design, much faster computers can be built. In fact, an enhancement in performance by a factor of 2 to 3 has been attributed to this simple organizational change. To achieve these efficiencies, most of the RISC microprocessor's function units must be kept as busy as possible. This requires optimizing compilers that can translate a program's high-level source code and then reorder the resulting low-level instructions in such a way as to ensure the high throughput.

Microprocessors are found in virtually every consumer product that requires electric power, such as microwave ovens, automobiles, video recorders, cellular telephones, digital cameras, and hand-held computers. High-performance microprocessors implement the servers that store and distribute Web content, such as streaming audio and video, desktop computers, and the high-speed network switches that constitute the Web's infrastructure. More modest-powered microprocessors are at the heart of notebook computers and electronic games. Low-power microprocessors provide the control and flow logic of hand-held devices, digital cameras, cellular and cordless phones, pagers, and the diagnostic and pollution control of automobile engines.

Microcontroller

A microcontroller (also microcontroller unit, MCU or µC) is a small computer on a single integrated circuit consisting of a relatively simple CPU combined with support functions such as a crystal oscillator, timers, watchdog, serial and analog I/O etc. Program memory in the form of NOR flash or OTP ROM is also often included on chip, as well as a, typically small, read/write memory.

Microcontrollers are designed for small applications. Thus, in contrast to the microprocessors used in personal computers and other high-performance applications, simplicity is emphasized. Some microcontrollers may operate at clock frequencies as low as 32KHz, as this is adequate for many typical applications, enabling low power consumption (milliwatts or microwatts). They will generally have the ability to retain functionality while waiting for an event such as a button press or other interrupt; power consumption while sleeping (CPU clock and most peripherals off) may be just nanowatts, making many of them well suited for long lasting battery applications.

Microcontrollers are used in automatically controlled products and devices, such as automobile engine control systems, remote controls, office machines, appliances, power tools, and toys. By reducing the size and cost compared to a design that uses a separate microprocessor, memory, and input/output devices, microcontrollers make it economical to digitally control even more devices and processes.

Embedded design

The majority of computer systems in use today are embedded in other machinery, such as automobiles, telephones, appliances, and peripherals for computer systems. These are called embedded systems. While some embedded systems are very sophisticated, many have minimal requirements for memory and program length, with no operating system, and low software complexity. Typical input and output devices include switches, relays, solenoids, LEDs, small or custom LCD displays, radio frequency devices, and sensors for data such as temperature, humidity, light level etc. Embedded systems usually have no keyboard, screen, disks, printers, or other recognizable I/O devices of a personal computer, and may lack human interaction devices of any kind.