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The Evaluation Of The Microprocessor.

The Evaluation of the Microprocessor.

The microprocessor has changed a lot over the years, says (Michael W.

Davidson,http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/chipshot.html) Microprocessor technology

is progressing so rapidly that even experts in the field are having trouble

keeping up with current advances. As more competition develops in this $150

billion a year business, power and speed of the microprocessor is expanding at

an almost explosive rate. The changes have been most evident over the last

decade. The microprocessor has changed the way computers work by making them

faster. The microprocessor is often called the brain of the C.P.U.(or the

central processing unit)and without the microprocessor the computer is more or

less useless. Motorola and Intel have invented most of the microprocessors over

the last decade. Over the years their has been a constant battle over cutting

edge technology. In the 80's Motorola won the battle, but now in the 90's it

looks as Intel has won the war.

Microprocessor is the controlling unit or CPU of a micro-computer, fabricated on a very small chip

capable or performing ALU operations and communicating with the external word connected to it. It

forma a micro-computer when combined with memory and Input/output devices. In simple words, it is a

digital chip, which is able to receive information in digital form, process this information according tothe programmed stored in memory by the user and large quantities. LSI technology made possible the

fabrication of central processing unit or even an entire computer on a single integrated circuit.

Microprocessors of different word size with varying decrease of capabilities are available.

Microprocessor comprises of all the functional components of the central processing unit of a general

purpose computer. In other words , functionally it is equivalent to a CPU. However, physically, there is

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an additional; distinction. A microprocessor with all the functional elements, ALU, registers and the

control unit , is fabricated on a single chip. The important features of microprocessor are as follows :

Cost : The most important characteristics of a microcomputer is its low cost. It is a well established fact

that with the advancement of technology, the cost does not increase proportionately with the

complexity. Rather, the cost per function goes on decreasing with the increasing complexity of a chip.With a high volume of production , the cost per unit microprocessor chip. Because of the widespread

use of microprocessors, the volume of production is very high. That is why, microprocessor chips are

available at fairly low prices.

Size : The second important features of a microprocessor is its small size. As a result of improvement in

fabrication technology, VLSI, electronic circuitry has become so dense that a minute silicon chip can

contain hundred and thousands of transistors constituting the microprocessor. Its size does not exceed a

few inches on any side , even in the packaged form.

Power Consumption : The another important characteristics is its low power consumption

microprocessors are normally manufactured by Metal-Oxide semiconductor technology, which has the

feature of low power consumption. The word micro can be attributed to its low cost, small size and low

power consumption. Its processing capability is quite high currently available 32 bit microprocessors

have a processing power similar to that of the mainframe computer of a few years ago. Even the early 8

bit microprocessors are powerful enough to perform several applications.

Versatility : The versatility of a microprocessor results from its stored program mode of operation.

Keeping the same basic hardware , a microprocessor-based system can be configured for a number of

applications simplify altering the software program. This also makes it very flexible. After a system has

been produced a. it is often necessary to change it either top remove huges or to in corporate new

capabilities, A hard wired system, will require complete redesigning witch is bot time consuming andcostly. In the case of a microprocessor-based system, however, the programmable feature can be

advantageously used in most of the situation to incorporate necessary changes with a minimum no

modification in hardware.

Reliability: Another important property of VLSI devices which has also been in herniated by

microprocessors is extreme reliability . It has been established that the failure rate of an IC is fairly

uniform at the package level, regardless of its complexity