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Microprocessor: What is it, what is it for and what are its characteristics?

Microprocessor: What is it

Today the use of computers is so widespread that many times we forget, or leave aside, fully know each of the components that make possible the operation of these wonders of technology.

In this post we will update you on everything that has to do with the microprocessor , a component without which it would be impossible to achieve everything you can do with your computer. All of that you will understand as you immerse yourself in reading our delivery today, as we will go through aspects such as the functions of the microprocessor, its uses in computing and the more important features that accompany it.

Similarly, you will find out about their history and evolution , in addition to knowing chronologically the release of some of the microprocessors that have left their mark in the world of computing.

What is a microprocessor and what is it for in computing?

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The most common way to conceptualize the microprocessor is to refer to it as the brain of the computer. This gives us a clear idea about its vital importance in the operation of the computer, since without it it would be impossible to carry out most of the operations that occur on the computer.

Commonly called a processor, it is integrated into the computer’s motherboard, passing through it all simple arithmetic and / or logical operations, including binary logic and memory access. This way makes it possible to execute programs , which range from a particular operating system to user applications through the software.

Likewise, we must know that a microprocessor can be composed by hundreds of thousands of integrated circuits within a silicon chip or chip. This chip is coupled to the CPU motherboard through a socket in conjunction with an anti-heating system, which is composed of an internal fan and materials specially designed to dissipate heat.

At this point we must stop at the method for manufacturing a processor, which originates from a simple process. It all begins by extracting the silicon from the sand that contains quartz in sufficient quantities so that it meets the requirements to unequivocally optimize the final product.

Regarding the performance of the microprocessors, we must point out that although there is no established metric for this purpose, it is possible to affirm that everything will be based on the requirements to which they can be subjected depending on the equipment where they are installed.

What are the main functions of a microprocessor in a computer?

Before directly addressing the main functions that the microprocessor is capable of performing on computers, it is important to show that today is by far the product of the technology industry most used by everyone in the world. This is because it is necessary in the operation of a wide range of everyday devices .

Its operation stops for a perfect stage synchronization , so that everything happens as planned in its design. This is thanks to a clock that coordinates everything that develops in the functional blocks.

To illustrate a little more about the process, we will tell you that the microprocessor is connected to a high-performance PLL circuit that helps it execute the stored instructions in the form of binary figures in its main memory .

The process begins with the reception of the instruction , its decoding and searches for compatible programs to execute the order; This done, proceeds to the analysis of the data provided; and, finally, it shows us the final results of the whole process before moving on to the next order, in a measured time in fractions of a second .

What are the most important characteristics that define a microprocessor?

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To talk about the characteristics common to all microprocessors, it is necessary to do so by describing part of its architecture . So to fully fulfill its operation, each party must meet special characteristics.

Here we present them in more detail:

  • Encapsulated : this is the shirt or cover that protects the silicon tablet in which the small device was manufactured. This ensures that it is free of dirt particles and oxygen oxidation.
  • Cache : This part of the microprocessor is responsible for storing data that They can be used immediately without having to go to the RAM , so response times are reduced between one instruction and the next. That gives it ultrafast memory properties.
  • Mathematical Coprocessor : We could define it as the brain of the processor, since in this section mathematical calculations are carried out. It acts as a floating point unit.
  • Records : It is a kind of small memory composed of two groups that total 32 records, each group dedicated to the control of specific functions within the microprocessor. One of the groups has been designed to prevent the processor from getting out of control autonomously; while another serves to assist the CPU in some tasks.
  • Memory : it is the part to which the device is directed when it receives an instruction, since this is where programs and their data are stored.
  • Ports : These are responsible for maintaining a constant and coordinated link between all other computer components . In other words, they are the ones who call the different circuits and other parts of the system into action at the moment of being required.

History and evolution of the microprocessor When and who invented them?

While it should be made clear that the microprocessor derives from technologies that began around the 1950s, such as computing and the semiconductor field, it is also good to note that its birth dates from 1971 . It was in that year that the fusion of the preceding technologies resulted in the semi as we know them today.

Marcian E. Hoff , who at the moment worked for the Intel company, is considered the father of this great invention, which undoubtedly came to revolutionize the world of computing and become a tool indispensable for many tasks in modern life.

It should also be noted that the engineer Hoff had the collaboration of his colleagues Federico Faggin, Stanley Mazor and Masatoshi Shima , whom history recognizes as co-inventors. However, it must be clear that the paternity of the invention has always been attributed to Hoff, since it was he who presented the proposal in 1969.

The invention became the 4-bit Intel 4004, the first commercial microprocessor. It was a programmable processor, assembled with 2,300 transistors in a single capsule, which soon ceased to be sufficient for the requirements that computer advances were beginning to demand.

Of course, the above brought as a consequence the search for improvements in design and capabilities, with which the microprocessor began its evolution until the amazing developments that we know today. But we will develop this topic in greater detail in the following section.

Timeline of the most important microprocessors in the history of computing

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In this part we will leave you a sample of the processors that have marked a milestone in the unstoppable evolution of the microprocessors, that have currently been able to reduce their integration scale, in the micro beginnings, up to nanometric :

Intel 4004

As we have said before, it is the first microprocessor marketed worldwide. It was able to address 4096 locations, with its 4-bit memory. Its architecture allowed it to perform up to a maximum of 60,000 operations every second , thanks to the fact that it could work at a clock frequency of about 700 KHz.

One of its limitations, which eventually led decisively to the search for improvements in the system, was that could only handle a set of 45 different instructions . This did not allow him to attend too many applications, so it was initially only used in applications with limited resources.

Intel 8008

Presented in mid-1972, the 8008 was intended to be used effectively in computer terminals. In its small capsule were integrated 3300 transistors , which gives us an idea of ​​ the progress made for that moment.

It should be noted that it inaugurated the era of 8-bit microprocessors, which made it possible to expand the memory up to 16 KBytes. In this way he was able to process up to 48 additional instructions , at clock frequencies up to 800 KHz.

Intel 8080

It came to light in 1973, and was intended for countless uses. Although it was still an 8-bit microprocessor, the developers managed to address a larger amount of memory. In this way he was able to execute the instructions in a time 10 times less than his predecessor.

In addition, the 8080 was a great step in reaching the interconnection with most of the standard components of the TTL type, this thanks to the compatibility of this microprocessor with this calculation logic.

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Presented in 1974 by the company National Semiconductor , it quickly became very popular thanks to its low cost. It was equipped with an 8-bit data bus in combination with a 16-bit address bus.

Another reason for its great acceptance, has to do with the fact that the buses released could be shared by more than one processor simultaneously, being the first to have that feature.

Motorola 6800

In order not to lag behind in the career of computer developments, the Motorola company presented in 1975 this proposal, which was incorporated into a significant number of the first microcomputers that were already beginning to be seen in those years from the mid 70s.

It marked an important milestone in the evolution of microprocessors, since it was the first to be equipped with a index register . From it several of the most recognized microprocessors of this brand have been derived.

Intel 8086

First 16-bit microprocessor, the 8086 arrived on the market in 1978 and undoubtedly meant a gigantic advance in the world of computing. Its 29,000 transistors allow you to execute the instructions in just 400 nanoseconds . He was the first one capable of running 1 Mbyte of memory.

At the time of its launch, applications capable of working with 16 bits were virtually non-existent, so the manufacturer was forced to present its 8088 model, with the idea of ​​maintaining its market share .

Intel 80386

Here we are already talking about a 32-bit microprocessor , marketed in the mid-80s. Because it had 275,000 transistors, it could reach speeds of 33 MHz. Its memory space was 4 GBytes .

Among its innovations is the simplification of implementing operating systems that require virtual memory, this through the page transfer unit incorporated in this chip.

DEC Alpha (AXP)

Without a doubt, a revolution in the universe of microprocessors was equipped with a set of RISC instructions with a capacity of 64 bits , specifically dedicated to the calculation of floating point. From then on computers were able to represent real numbers more efficiently.

It should also be noted that after their appearance, in 1992 , the microprocessors began to be designed to operate on records , so that the RAM was already only necessary for loading and storage instructions.

Intel Pentium

This is a 64-bit microprocessor, which made its presentation in 1993. While before he left DEC Alpha in 1992, Pentium became more popular because it was much cheaper than its rival . In the manufacture of each unit 3,100,000 transistors were used for a memory capacity of 4 GBytes, and a working frequency of 66 MHz.

Pentium undoubtedly has marked time in the technological sphere, being a widely used name in the computer spectrum. There are many developments based on your 64-bit data bus.

Although these that we have presented to you have marked a before and after in the unstoppable evolution of the microprocessors, there have been and will continue to leave others more and more amazing every day, with what we have at this time with a quantity and variety of them for uses in different fields.