Introducing to Microprocessor

Digital systems are designed to store, process, and communicate information in digital form.

They are found in a wide range of applications, including process control, communication systems, digital instruments, and consumer products. A digital computer, more commonly called simply a computer, is an example of a typical digital system.

A computer manipulates information in digital or more precisely, binary form. A binary number has only two discrete values: zero or one. Each discrete value is represented by the OFF and ON status of an electronic switch called a transistor.

All computers understand only binary numbers. Any decimal number (base 10, with ten digits from 0 to 9) can be represented by a binary number (base 2, with digits 0 and 1).

The basic blocks of a computer are the central processing unit (CPU), the memory, and the input/output (UO). The CPU of a computer is basically the same as the brain of a human being; so computer memory is conceptually similar to human memory.

A question asked of a human being is analogous to entering a program into a computer using an input device such as a keyboard, and a person answering a question is similar in concept to outputting the program result to a computer output device such as a printer.

The main difference is that human beings can think independently, whereas computers can only answer questions for which they are programmed. Computer hardware includes such components as memory, CPU, transistors, nuts, bolts, and so on. Programs can perform a specific task, such as addition, if the computer has an electronic circuit capable of adding two numbers. Programmers cannot change these electronic circuits but can perform tasks on them using instructions.

Computer software consists of a collection of programs that contain instructions and data for performing a specific task. All programs, written using any programming language (e.g., C++), must be translated into binary prior to execution by a computer because the computer understands only binary numbers. Therefore, a translator is necessary to convert such a program into binary and this is achieved using a translator program called a compiler. Programs in the binary form of 1’s and 0’s are then stored in the computer memory for execution. Also, as computers can only add, all operations, including subtraction, multiplication, and division, are performed by addition.

Due to advances in semiconductor technology, it is possible to fabricate a CPU on a single chip. The result is a microprocessor. Both metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) and bipolar technologies are used in the fabrication process. The CPU can be placed on a single chip when MOS technology is used. However, several chips are required with bipolar technology. At present, HCMOS (high-speed complementary MOS) or BICMOS (combination of bipolar and HCMOS) technology to fabricate a microprocessor on a single chip. Along with the microprocessor chip, appropriate memory and I/O chips can be used to design a microcomputer. The pins on each one of these chips can be connected to the proper lines on a system bus, which consists of address, data, and control lines. In the past, some manufacturers designed a complete microcomputer on a single chip with limited capabilities. Single-chip microcomputers were used in a wide range of industrial and home applications.

Microcontrollers evolved from single-chip microcomputers. Microcontrollers are typically used for dedicated applications such as automotive systems, home appliances, and home entertainment systems. Typical microcontrollers include a microcomputer, timers, and A/D (analog-to- digital) and D/A (digital to analog) converters, all on a single chip. Examples of typical microcontrollers are the Intel 875 1 (8-bit)/8096 (16-bit), Motorola HC 1 1 (8-bit)/HC 16 (1 6-bit), and Microchip Technology’s PIC (peripheral interface controller).

In this chapter we first define some basic terms associated with microprocessors.

We then describe briefly the evolution of microprocessors and typical features of 32- and 64-bit microprocessors. Finally, microprocessor-based system design concepts and typical microprocessor applications are included.


sourced by: Microprocessor Theory and Applications with 68000/68020 and Pentium, M. Rafiquzzaman, Ph.D.