What Does Microprocessor Mean?

Computer's Central Processing Unit (CPU) built on a single Integrated Circuit (IC) is called
a microprocessor. A microprocessor is a component that performs the instructions and tasks
involved in computer processing. In a computer system, the microprocessor is the central unit
that executes and manages the logical instructions passed to it. So it can be called a processor or
central processing unit, but it is actually more advanced in terms of architectural design and is
built over a silicon microchip.
A digital computer with one microprocessor which acts as a CPU is called
microcomputer. It is a programmable, multipurpose, clock -driven, register-based electronic
device that reads binary instructions from a storage device called memory, accepts binary data as
input and processes data according to those instructions and provides results as output.
The microprocessor contains millions of tiny components like transistors, registers, and
diodes that work together.

Block Diagram of a Microcomputer

A microprocessor consists of an ALU, control unit and register array. Where ALU performs
arithmetic and logical operations on the data received from an input device or memory. Control
unit controls the instructions and flow of data within the computer. And, register array consists
of registers identified by letters like B, C, D, E, H, L, and accumulator.

Evolution of Microprocessors
We can categorize the microprocessor according to the generations or according to the size of the
microprocessor:

First Generation (4 - bit Microprocessors)

The first generation microprocessors were introduced in the year 1971-1972 by Intel
Corporation. It was named Intel 4004 since it was a 4-bit processor.
It was a processor on a single chip. It could perform simple arithmetic and logical operations
such as addition, subtraction, Boolean OR and Boolean AND.
I had a control unit capable of performing control functions like fetching an instruction from
storage memory, decoding it, and then generating control pulses to execute it.

Second Generation (8 - bit Microprocessor)

The second generation microprocessors were introduced in 1973 again by Intel. It was a first 8 -
bit microprocessor which could perform arithmetic and logic operations on 8-bit words. It was
Intel 8008, and another improved version was Intel 8088.

Third Generation (16 - bit Microprocessor)

The third generation microprocessors, introduced in 1978 were represented by Intel's 8086,
Zilog Z800 and 80286, which were 16 - bit processors with a performance like minicomputers.

Fourth Generation (32 - bit Microprocessors)

Several different companies introduced the 32-bit microprocessors, but the most popular one is
the Intel 80386.

Fifth Generation (64 - bit Microprocessors)

From 1995 to now we are in the fifth generation. After 80856, Intel came out with a new
processor namely Pentium processor followed by Pentium Pro CPU, which allows multiple
CPUs in a single system to achieve multiprocessing.
Other improved 64-bit processors are Celeron, Dual, Quad, Octa Core processors.

Bus - Set of conductors intended to transmit data, address or control information to different
elements in a microprocessor. A microprocessor will have three types of buses, i.e., data bus,
address bus, and control bus.
IPC (Instructions Per Cycle) - It is a measure of how many instructions a CPU is capable of
executing in a single clock.
Clock Speed - It is the number of operations per second the processor can perform. It can be
expressed in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). It is also called the Clock Rate.
Bandwidth - The number of bits processed in a single instruction is called Bandwidth.
Word Length - The number of bits the processor can process at a time is called the word
length of the processor. 8-bit Microprocessor may process 8 -bit data at a time. The range of
word length is from 4 bits to 64 bits depending upon the type of the microcomputer.
Data Types - The microprocessor supports multiple data type formats like binary, ASCII,
signed and unsigned numbers.

What is a Microprocessor?
A microprocessor is a controlling unit of a micro-computer wrapped inside a small chip. It
performs Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU) operations and communicates with the other devices
connected with it. It is a single Integrated Circuit in which several functions are combined.

What is Microcontroller?
A microcontroller is a chip optimized to control electronic devices. It is stored in a single
integrated circuit which is dedicated to performing a particular task and execute one specific
application. It is specially designed circuits for embedded applications and is widely used in
automatically controlled electronic devices. It contains memory, processor, and programmable
I/O.

KEY DIFFERENCES
 Microprocessor consists of only a Central Processing Unit, whereas Micro Controller
contains a CPU, Memory, I/O all integrated into one chip.
 Microprocessor is used in Personal Computers whereas Micro Controller is used in an
embedded system.
 Microprocessor uses an external bus to interface to RAM, ROM, and other peripherals,
on the other hand, Microcontroller uses an internal controlling bus.
 Microprocessors are based on Von Neumann model Micro controllers are based on
Harvard architecture
 Microprocessor is complicated and expensive, with a large number of instructions to
process but Microcontroller is inexpensive and straightforward with fewer instructions to
process.

Types of Microprocessor
Important types of Microprocessors are:
 Complex Instruction Set Microprocessors
 The Application Specific Integrated Circuit
 Reduced Instruction Set Microprocessors
 Digital Signal Multiprocessors (DSPs)
Types of Microcontroller
Here are important types of Microcontroller:
 8 bit Microcontroller
 16 bit Microcontroller
 32 bit Microcontroller
 Embedded Microcontroller
 External memory Microcontroller
History of Microprocessor
Here, are the important landmark from the history of Microprocessor
 Fairchild Semiconductors invented the first IC (Integrated Circuit) in 1959.
  In 1968, Robert Noyce, Gordan Moore, Andrew Grove found their own company Intel.
 Intel grew from 3 man start-up in 1968 to industrial giant by 1981.
 In 1971, INTEL created the first generation Microprocessor 4004 that would run at a
clock speed of 108 kHz
 From 1973 to 1978, second-generation 8-bit microprocessors were fabricated like
Motorola 6800 and 6801, INTEL-8085, and Zilog’s-Z80.
 In 1978, Intel 8008 third-generation process came into the market.
 In the early 80s, Intel released fourth-generation 32-bit processors.
 In 1995, intel released in fifth-generation 64-bit processors .

History of Microcontroller
Here, are important landmarks from the history of Microcontroller:
 First used in 1975(Intel 8048)
 The introduction of EEPROM in 1993
 The same year, Atmel introduced the first microcontroller using Flash memory.

Features of Microprocessor
Here are some important features of Microprocessor:
 Offers built-in monitor/debugger program with interrupt capability
 Large amount of instructions each carrying out a different variation of the same operation
 Offers Parallel I/O
 Instruction cycle timer
 External memory interface
Features of Microcontroller
Here are some important features of Microcontroller:
 Processor reset
 Program and Variable Memory (RAM) I/O pins
 Device clocking central processor
 Instruction cycle timers
Applications of Microprocessor
Microprocessors are mainly used in devices like:
 Calculators
 Accounting system
 Games machine
 Complex industrial controllers
 Traffic light
 Control data
 Military applications
 Defense systems
 Computation systems
Applications of Microcontroller
Microcontrollers are mainly used in devices like:
 Mobile phones
 Automobiles
 CD/DVD players
 Washing machines
 Cameras
 Security alarms
 Keyboard controllers
 Microwave oven
 Watches
 Mp3 players

What is the Difference Between a Microcontroller and Microprocessor?

The key difference between a Microprocessor and a Microcontroller is the Microprocessor
consists of only a Central Processing Unit, whereas the Microcontroller contains a CPU,
Memory, I/O all integrated into one chip. A microcontroller is an inexpensive, straightforward,
and small number of instructions to process, whereas a Microprocessor is complex and
expensive, with many instructions.

Which is Better Microcontroller or Microprocessor?

Both of these processes are good. However, which one you should use depends upon your
requirements. Microcontrollers are mainly used for small applications like washing machines,
Cameras, Security alarms, Keyboard controllers, etc., Whereas Microprocessor is used in
Personal Computers, Complex industrial controllers, Traffic light, Defense systems, etc.

Which is Faster Microprocessor or Microcontroller?

Microprocessors are much faster than microcontrollers. The clock speed of a microprocessor is
above 1 GHz. While in the case of the Microcontroller, the clock speed is 200MHz or more,
depending on the architecture

The following image depicts the pin diagram of 8085 Microprocessor −

The pins of a 8085 microprocessor can be classified into seven groups −
Address bus
A15-A8, it carries the most significant 8-bits of memory/IO address.

Data bus
AD7-AD0, it carries the least significant 8-bit address and data bus.

Control and status signals

These signals are used to identify the nature of operation. There are 3 control signal and 3 status
signals.
Three control signals are RD, WR & ALE.
 RD − This signal indicates that the selected IO or memory device is to be read and is
ready for accepting data available on the data bus.
 WR − This signal indicates that the data on the data bus is to be written into a selected
memory or IO location.
 ALE − It is a positive going pulse generated when a new operation is started by the
microprocessor. When the pulse goes high, it indicates address. When the pulse goes
down it indicates data.
Three status signals are IO/M, S0 & S1.

IO/M
This signal is used to differentiate between IO and Memory operations, i.e. when it is high
indicates IO operation and when it is low then it indicates memory operation.
S1 & S0
These signals are used to identify the type of current operation.

Power supply
There are 2 power supply signals − VCC & VSS. VCC indicates +5v power supply and VSS
indicates ground signal.

Clock signals
There are 3 clock signals, i.e. X1, X2, CLK OUT.
 X1, X2 − A crystal (RC, LC N/W) is connected at these two pins and is used to set
frequency of the internal clock generator. This frequency is internally divided by 2.
 CLK OUT − This signal is used as the system clock for devices connected with the
microprocessor.

Interrupts & externally initiated signals

Interrupts are the signals generated by external devices to request the microprocessor to perform
a task. There are 5 interrupt signals, i.e. TRAP, RST 7.5, RST 6.5, RST 5.5, and INTR. We will
discuss interrupts in detail in interrupts section.
 INTA − It is an interrupt acknowledgment signal.
 RESET IN − This signal is used to reset the microprocessor by setting the program
counter to zero.
 RESET OUT − This signal is used to reset all the connected devices when the
microprocessor is reset.
 READY − This signal indicates that the device is ready to send or receive data. If
READY is low, then the CPU has to wait for READY to go high.
 HOLD − This signal indicates that another master is requesting the use of the address
and data buses.
 HLDA (HOLD Acknowledge) − It indicates that the CPU has received the HOLD
request and it will relinquish the bus in the next clock cycle. HLDA is set to low after
the HOLD signal is removed.
Serial I/O signals
There are 2 serial signals, i.e. SID and SOD and these signals are used for serial communication.
 SOD (Serial output data line) − The output SOD is set/reset as specified by the SIM
instruction.
 SID (Serial input data line) − The data on this line is loaded into accumulator whenever a
RIM instruction is executed.