How a Microprocessor Works

A microprocessor makes up part of an extensive number of electronic items that are used in the home and the office. It is an essential part of the working process of many pieces of equipment. Understanding their purpose and how they work will help you to determine when and if you require an upgrade.

Appearance

As the name suggests, a microprocessor is a tiny component that lies within the electronic piece of equipment. They range in size but tend to be about an inch thick and 2 to 3mm squared. Their size is deceptive if used as an indicator for what they are capable of. It is made of thin slices of silicon, which works as a conductor and an insulator for the electrical currents that need to flow through it. The layers of wiring, transistors and silicon creates an integrated circuit that can be found in a range of different electronic equipment.     

Components

A microprocessor is a circuit in the computer that comprises wiring and transistors to help it do its job. A basic version of the chip can have up to 3,000 transistors, which can have as little as 60 nanometers of space between them. However, the number of components it contains can vary according to what item the chip is being used for. Bus lines are bundles of wires that lead from the components to transfer data; these can include an address bus and a data bus, in addition to a clock line and reset line.   

Purpose

The purpose of a microprocessor is to act as the main processing unit within a computer or other control system. It is the communication system for many pieces of equipment that are powered by a computer. By processing data in order to command the system that it has control over, it is able to coordinate it all as well as use it as necessary. In addition to sending and receiving data, a microprocessor can move data from one memory location to another. The 2 main communication processes used are logic and the processing of information.    

Function

The process that a microprocessor uses is undertaken by the movement of electrical currents through the wires, which are translated into readable messages. It does this through Boolean language. The Boolean logic communicates with external devices and controlling their ability to work using the ‘on/off’ function of the flow of electrical current as it travels through the circuits of the transistor. Use of the data will ensure that decisions are made and will make it possible to skip to another option once a decision is made.                  

Process

The processes that it can undertake are completed by 2 components of the chip: arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and Control unit (CU). The former is responsible for commands that require arithmetic and logic. Both the address bus and the data bus can be 8, 16 or 32 bits wide. An address can be sent to the memory using an address bus and data can be sent or received from the memory through the data bus.