Microprocessor : Definition, History and Function

What is a microprocessor?

Microprocessor : Definition, History and Function

The computer CPU is built on single IC called microprocessor as seen in section. A microprocessor is a CPU to which we have to add ROM, RAM and ports to make a microcomputer. It is a programmable integrated device that has computing and decision making capability.

The microprocessor has a wide range of applications beginning from small smart sewing machine, washing machines and other domestic appliances to computer aided system design.

The microprocessor can be embedded into a larger system. It may be stand alone unit controlling processes or it may function like the CPU of a computer called microcomputer.

The microprocessor communicates and operates in the binary numbers 0 and 1 called bits. Each microprocessor has a fixed number of instructions.

The instructions are in the form of binary patterns referred to as machine language. Machine language is the language of 0's and 1's. Hence, the binary instructions are given abbreviated names (mnemonics) that contribute the assembly language for a microprocessor.

The microprocessor is a clock driven, programmable, register based device.

The microprocessor reads the data i.e. binary instructions from the memory. It accepts this binary data as input and processes the data according to the instructions and computes the result as output.

The microprocessor is a programmable machine i.e. the microprocessor can be instructed to completed certain tasks e.g. A remote is a programmable machine that is capable of changing the channels.

A viewer selects the channel depending on the number printed in the manual. Similarly, a microprocessor understand and executes many instructions. The microprocessor can perform complicated computing functions e.g. switching on/off of a device.

The programmer can select the instruction and ash the microprocessor to complete The specific tasks on given data set.

The person who designs the remote determines a frequency for a given channel. Similarly the engineers who design the microprocessor determine the tasks that are required to be processed by the microprocessor. Accordingly, the logic is designed with a view to provide the user with a list of instructions that a user cen understand.