Embedded System microprocessor

A central processing unit built into a single VSLI chip is known as a microprocessor, an additional circuit is usually added to it increasing it functionalites and capabilities making it work as a microcomputer.

Microprocessors performs adding, subtractions, comparing of numbers and fetching the data from memory for transferring it from one place to another.

An embedded microprocessor is a computer chip use in complex and multifunctional circuits for manipulation and processing of input signals. It's a digital electronic component, embedded with milions of components like transistors, capacitors, diodes, etc. To form a logic circuit embedded into a solid block of silicon or germanium or other semiconductors.

Their flexibility, open source and low cost makes them easy to implement various types of controllers that we knew from the electronics history, their functions includes fetching, decoding and processing.

The emmbedded system microprocessor is nothing but a computer chip that finds wide applications in lighting systems, home appliances, industrial equipments, smartphones, signal processing devices and general computing systems.

In a signal processor, microprocessors used in digital television includes decoding of digital and radio signals. In real time system, microprocessors are embedded in security devices like anti lock breaking system, These systems are widely used in automobiles. It's a performance

A microprocessor is built by using semiconductor devices where thousands of transistors are integrated into a single chip for better performance. For example, the Pentium 4 processors have around 40 to 50 million transistors. Most of the processor's parts includes, ALU(Arithmetic logic unit), Memory unit, control unit, registers, and system bus.

Arithmetic logic unit.

An ALU is also known as integer unit as it is used to perform logical operations like NOT, OR, AND, and math calculations like add, subtraction, division, multiplication and comparison like greater than and less than.

Memory unit.

Cache memory is a small amount of memory located on the chip of a microprocessor.

A microprocessor stores a copy of data and instructions in it's cache memory while executing the program. There are basically two types of memories, they are ROM and RAM.

Control unit.

The control unit is the brain of a microprocessor as it manages complete operations.

It performs the operations like managing input, output devices, storing data and fetching instructions.

Registers.

Registers are small, fast memories built into the central processing unit to speed up it's operation. General purpose registers stores arbitrary data and special purpose registers comtrols the processor.

System Bus.

The system bus is a single wire used to attach different components to communicate with the internal and external parts of the microprocessor. The bus receives data and instructions from the main memory and then send communicated instructions and data cache. Finally these are processed and the results are again sent to the main memory through this bus.

The classification of embeded microprocessor depends on several factors like computing performance, availability of memory and applications. etc.

Types of microprocessors.

•Complex instruction set microprocessor.

•Reduced instruction set microprocessors.

•Super scaler microprocessors.

•Application specific integrated circuits.

•Digital signals processors.

1.General Purpose Applications.

Microprocessors for general purpose applications include personal computers, single-board micro computers, super minis and Computer Aided Designs (CAD).

Personal Computers

Personal computers have 8-bit or 16-bit microprocessors. Home computers come with 8-bit microprocessor for learning programs and playing video games, whereas the computers with 16- bit microprocessor are used for business, accounts, word processing, and other purposes.

Single-Board Micro Computers

The single-board micro computers have simple hardware and software configuration and are cheaper. These micro computers are used to build small computer systems and to train students.

Super minis and CAD

32 -bit processors are used in powerful microcomputers. And, as a result, the performance of these computers is far better than the mini computers; and, these are used in engineering side as CAD machines.

2. Special Purpose Application

special purpose application includes control, communication, instrumentation, office automation and publication.

Communication

In telephone industry, microprocessors are used in modems, telephone exchanges, digital telephone sets, and also in air reservation systems and railway reservation systems both at international and national levels. Mobile phones and televisions also use microprocessors.

Instrumentation

In various instruments, microprocessors are implemented as main controllers and also used in medical instruments to measure temperature and blood pressure.

Control

Microprocessors are now available in home appliances like washing machines and microwave ovens; and, in industrial-automation sectors, microcontrollers are used to control various parameters like temperature, speed, moisture and pressure.

Publication and Office Automation

These are used in office to perform spread sheet operations, and storage. In publication, microprocessors are used in LASER printers for good speed and making automatic photo copies.