Computer Fundamentals
Lecture # 5:
Microprocessor
Today’s Objectives:
To study Microprocessor and its various
Subsystems
Microprocessor:
The Brain of the computer
Silicon Chip (IC)
Latest Pentium-4 has around 125 million transistors
Performs Billions of Instructions per second
Combines with other devices such as Memory and
I/O to form a “Microprocessor system”
Microprocessor Models:
The “Calculator” Model
Should be able to
Take Data
Decode
Execute
Give Results
Components Required for the
“Calculator” Model
Control Unit; for decoding signals and
activate the devices (memories, buses,
registers) in a proper sequence
Arithmetic Unit; to perform mathematical
calculations
Machine Cycle
The series of steps taken by the CPU to
execute an instruction is called ‘Machine
Cycle’
Two smaller Cycles
Instruction Cycle
Execution Cycle
Instruction Cycle
1. Fetching: Fetching a command from memory
2. Decoding: Map the command to Instructions
Machine Cycle
Execution Cycle
1. Executing: CPU converts the instructions into
microcode and carries them out
2. Storing: (Optional) The CPU stores the result
somewhere in the memory
Components of a Microprocessor
Memory; stores data and instructions
Bus Interface Unit; transfers data in and out of the
Processor, instructions into the Processor
Instruction Decoder; Decodes Instructions
Arithmetic and Logic Unit; Performs Math,
Comparisons and Logical Operations on Integers
Control Unit; Controls and Manages all the
Processing
The Memory Bottleneck:
Accessing RAM for Data/Instructions is slow
Solution:
Registers attached to the ALU (for data currently
in use)
Cache Memory (for most frequently used data)
Internal Cache (on processor chip)
Instruction Cache
Data Cache
External Cache (on motherboard)
The “Real Numbers” Processing:
Real Numbers
Use in Computing
Floating Point Unit; Processes the Real
Numbers faster than an ALU
The Final Picture:
Data
Cache
Memory
Bus Control Arithmetic
RAM Bus Unit & Logic
Interface Unit
I/O Unit Instruction Registers
System Decoder
Bus Floating
Point
Instruction Unit
Cache Registers
The Instruction Set:
A Microprocessor’s Language; Low-Level, Single Step
Instructions
Also called Program code, Binary code or Machine code
Difficult to change after implementation
Architecture dependant
Design Issues:
Silicon Real Estate
Cost
Expandability
Legacy Support
Complexity
Power Consumption
Deign Types
CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer)
RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer)
Microcontroller
(A Microprocessor system):
Basic components of a microprocessor
system combined on a single chip
The CPU core
RAM and ROM
I/O ports (Parallel & Serial)
Timers and Interrupts
Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC), etc
Microcontrollers
Used in Autonomous Systems
ovens, ATMs, vehicles
Advantage:
Compact integrated design on single chip
Reduced interface
Microprocessor, Yesterday and Today:
Busicom’s Desk Calculators
1971, Intel’s 1st Microprocessor-4004
2250 Transistors
740 KHz, 60,000 Op/sec
16 pins
10 Microns
As Powerful as ENIAC
2001, Intel’s P4 – Today’s Processor
55 Million Transistors
32-bit Word size
2.2 GHz
2 ALUs
128 bit FPU
0.13 Micron
Moore’s Law:
Presented by Gordon
Moore, 1965, Intel
Corp.
No. of Transistors on
the Processor Chip Will
Double in 18 months
Better Future Processors?
Capabilities should Include:
Higher Clock Frequency
Greater Word Width
More Functioning Units
Better Caching Algorithm
Right Cache Size
What else?
