/ˌmaɪkroʊˈprɑːsɛsər/
noun … “Central processing unit on a single integrated circuit.”
Microprocessor is a compact electronic chip that contains the core computational components of a computer or embedded system, including the central processing unit, arithmetic logic unit (ALU), control unit, and registers. Microprocessors execute instructions stored in memory, perform arithmetic and logical operations, and control data flow between peripherals, making them the heart of modern computing devices.
Key characteristics of Microprocessor include:
- Instruction execution: processes binary instructions according to its instruction set architecture (ISA).
- Registers: temporary storage for immediate data and control information.
- ALU: performs arithmetic and logical operations.
- Clocked operation: synchronized by a clock signal to perform sequential operations.
- Integration: often includes cache memory and bus interfaces on the same chip.
Applications of Microprocessor include personal computers, servers, smartphones, embedded controllers, robotics, and industrial automation systems. Microprocessors serve as the central control and computation unit in virtually all digital devices.
Workflow example: Simple instruction execution:
instruction = memory.fetch(pc)
decoded = microprocessor.decode(instruction)
result = microprocessor.execute(decoded)
pc = pc + 1
Here, the microprocessor fetches, decodes, and executes instructions sequentially, updating its program counter for the next operation.
Conceptually, a Microprocessor is like a tiny brain on a chip: it receives information, decides what to do, performs calculations, and sends commands to the rest of the system.
See CPU, Integrated Circuit, Microcontroller, ALU, Registers.