Today, the use of computers is so widespread that we often forget, or neglect, to fully understand each of the components that make it possible. operation of these wonders of technology.
In this post we'll tell you everything you need to know about the microprocessor...a component without which it would be impossible to achieve everything you can do with your computer. You'll understand all of this as you delve into today's article, as we explore aspects such as... the functions of the microprocessor, its applications in computing and characteristics more important ones that accompany it.
Likewise, you will learn details about its history and evolution, in addition to knowing chronologically the market release of some of the microprocessors that have left a mark in the world of computing.
What is a microprocessor and what is it used for in computing?
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 of its vital importance in the computer's operation, since Without him it would be impossible to carry out most of the operations that occur on the computer.
Commonly called the processor, it is integrated into the computer's motherboard, and all arithmetic and/or simple logical operations, up to binary logic operations and memory accesses, pass through it. It makes the execution of programs possible.which range from a particular operating system to user applications through software.
Similarly, we must know that a microprocessor can be compound by hundreds of thousands of integrated circuits within a silicon chip or die. This chip attaches to the CPU motherboard via a socket, along with an anti-heating system consisting of an internal fan and specially designed heat dissipation materials.
At this point, we must examine the method for manufacturing a processor, which originates from a far from simple process. It all begins by extracting silicon from sand containing quartz in sufficient quantities to meet the requirements for unequivocally optimizing the final product.
Regarding the performance Regarding microprocessors, we must point out that although there is no established metric for this purpose, it is possible to affirm that everything will depend on the demands to which they may be subjected according to 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 in computers, it is important to point out that today it is by far the most widely used product in the technology industry worldwide. This is because it is necessary in the operation of a wide range of everyday devices.
Its operation depends on a perfect staged synchronizationso that everything happens as planned in its design. This is thanks to a clock that coordinates everything that takes place in the functional blocks.
To further illustrate the process, we'll tell you that the microprocessor connects to a high-performance PLL circuit that helps it execute the stored instructions in the form of binary digits in its main memory.
The process starts with the receipt of instructionIt decodes and searches for compatible programs to execute the command; once this is done, it proceeds to analyze the supplied data; and finally, it shows us the final results of the entire process before moving on to the next command, in a measured time. in fractions of a second.
What are the most important characteristics that define a microprocessor?
To discuss the characteristics common to all microprocessors, It is necessary to do so by describing part of its architectureTherefore, in order for it to function properly, each part must meet specific requirements.
Below we present them in more detail:
- encapsulatedThis refers to the sleeve or cover that protects the silicon chip on which the small device is made. This ensures that it remains free of dirt particles and oxidation caused by oxygen.
- CacheThis part of the microprocessor is responsible for storing data that can be used immediately without needing to access the RAMThis significantly reduces response times between instructions, giving it ultra-fast memory properties.
- Mathematical CoprocessorWe could define it as the brain of the processor, since mathematical calculations are performed in this section. It acts as a floating-point unit.
- Records!It is a type of small memory composed of two groups totaling 32 registers, each group dedicated to controlling specific functions within the microprocessor. One group is designed to prevent the processor from going out of control on its own, while the other assists the... CPU in some tasks.
- Conference proceedings: is the part to which the device goes when it receives an instruction, since it is where the programs and their data are stored.
- PortsThese are responsible for maintaining a constant and coordinated link between all other computer components. In other words, they are the ones that activate the different circuits and other parts of the system when needed.
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 50s, such as computing and the field of semiconductors, it is also good to highlight that its birth dates from 1971. It was in that year when the fusion of the preceding technologies This resulted in the semi-finished products as we know them today.
Marcian E. Hoff, who at the time worked for the Intel company, is considered the father of this brilliant invention, which undoubtedly came to revolutionize the world of computing and become an indispensable tool for many tasks in modern life.
It should also be noted that 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 invention has always been attributed to Hoff, since he was the one who presented the proposal in 1969.
The invention turned out to be the Intel 4004, a 4-bit microprocessor, the first commercially available one. It was a programmable processor, assembled with 2.300 transistors in a single capsule, which very soon ceased to be sufficient for the requirements that the advances in computing were beginning to demand.
Of course, the above led to the search for improvements in design and capabilities, and thus the microprocessor began its evolution to the amazing developments that we know today. But we will develop that topic in more detail in the next section.
Chronology of the most important microprocessors in the history of computing
In this section we will show you a selection of processors that have marked milestones in the unstoppable evolution of microprocessors. that have now been able to reduce their scale of integration, from the micro beginnings, to nanometric:
Intel 4004
As we mentioned earlier, this was the first microprocessor to be commercially available worldwide. It was capable of addressing 4096 locations, with its 4-bit memory. Its architecture allowed it to perform up to 60000 operations per second, thanks to its ability to operate at a clock frequency of around 700 KHz.
One of its limitations, which eventually led decisively to the search for improvements in the system, was that It could only handle a set of 45 different instructionsThis did not allow it to handle too many applications, so initially it was only used in resource-constrained applications.
Intel 8008
Introduced in mid-1972, the 8008 was indeed designed for effective use in computer terminals. Integrated into its small capsule were... 3300 transistorswhich gives us an idea of the progress achieved at that time.
It's worth noting that it ushered in the era of 8-bit microprocessors, making it possible to expand memory to 16 KB. This allowed it to process up to 48 additional instructions, at clock frequencies up to 800 KHz.
Intel 8080
It was released in 1973 and was designed for countless uses. Although it was still an 8-bit microprocessor, the developers managed to make it address a larger amount of memory. This allowed it to execute instructions. in 10 times less time than its predecessor.
Furthermore, the 8080 represented a major step towards achieving the interconnection with most standard TTL components, thanks to the compatibility of this microprocessor with this calculation logic.
SC/MP
Introduced in 1974 by the company National SemiconductorIt quickly gained popularity due 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 is that the freed-up buses could be shared by more than one processor simultaneously, being the first to have that feature.
Motorola 6800
In order not to fall behind in the race for computer development, Motorola presented this proposal in 1975, which was incorporated into a significant number of early microcomputers which were already beginning to be seen in those years of the mid-70s.
It marked an important milestone in the evolution of microprocessors, as it was the first to be equipped with a index recordSeveral of this brand's most recognized microprocessors have been derived from it.
Intel 8086
The first 16-bit microprocessor, the 8086, arrived on the market in 1978 and undoubtedly represented a giant leap forward in the world of computing. Its 29.000 transistors allow it to execute the instructions in just 400 nanosecondsIt was the first capable of executing 1 MB of memory.
At the time of its launch, there were virtually no applications capable of working with 16 bits, so the manufacturer was forced to present its model 8088, with the idea of maintaining their market share.
Intel 80386
Here we are already talking about a microprocessor of 32 bitsIt was marketed in the mid-80s. Thanks to its 275.000 transistors, it could reach speeds of 33 MHz. Its memory capacity was 4 GB.
Among its new features is the simplification of implementing operating systems that require virtual memory, through the page translation unit incorporated into this chip.
DEC Alpha (AXP)
Undoubtedly a revolution in the world of microprocessors, it was equipped with a RISC instruction set capable of 64 bits, specifically dedicated to floating-point calculations. From then on, computers were able to represent real numbers with greater efficiency.
It should also be noted that after its appearance, in 1992, microprocessors began to be designed to operate on records, so RAM memory was only needed for loading and storing instructions.
Intel Pentium
This is a microprocessor of 64 bitswhich was introduced in 1993. Although the DEC Alpha came out before it in 1992, the Pentium achieved greater popularity because it was much cheaper than its rival. In the manufacturing of each unit were used 3.100.000 transistors for a memory capacity of 4 GBytes, and a working frequency of 66 MHz.
Pentium without a doubt has marked an era In the technological sphere, it's a widely used name in the computer field. Many developments are based on its 64-bit data bus.
While these that we have presented to you have made a mark before and after In the unstoppable evolution of microprocessors, there have been and will continue to be others that are increasingly amazing, so that in this era we have a quantity and variety of them for uses in different fields.
