Types of Microprocessors and Their Application

What Are The Different Types Of Microprocessors And Their Application? . This article provides an overview of the microprocessor, one of the most important components of a modern computing device. It describes how they function like the “brain” of the computer and enumerates the different types of Microprocessors.

This also includes the vector processors, array processors, scalar processors, RISC and CISC design, digital signal processors, symbolic processors, and graphics processors. This article will help you understand each of them and provides short descriptions for each type regarding unique features and applications in different computing contexts.

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What is a Microprocessor?

A microprocessor is a computer processor that is found in most modern personal computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices. It is a central processing unit (CPU) that performs most of the processing tasks in a computer system. The microprocessor is a key component of a computer, as it controls the fetching, decoding, and execution of instructions that are stored in memory. You can say that microprocessor is used as the brain of the computing devices which control overall execution and operations. The development of microprocessors has played a significant role in the evolution of computers and has made it possible for them to become smaller, faster, and more powerful over time.

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Evolution of Microprocessor

• First Generation 4-bit Microprocessor

This is the first microprocessor invented by Intel in 1971. They named it Intel 4004 because it was a 4-bit microprocessor

• Second Generation 8-bit Microprocessor

The Second generation processor was an 8-bit microprocessor developed by Intel in the year 1973. It was named Intel 8008 because it was 8 bit.

• Third Generation 16-bit Microprocessor

The third generation microprocessors were 16-bit microprocessors introduced in 1978 by Intel. 80286 is a 3^rd generation microprocessor.

• Fourth Generation 32-bit Microprocessor

The Fourth generation microprocessors were introduced in 1985 and they were 32 bit. 80386 or also known as i386 or just 386 is the most renowned 4^th generation microprocessor.

• Fifth Generation 64-bit Microprocessor

The fifth-generation microprocessor or 64-bit microprocessors were introduced in 1995 and they are being used till now. The Intel Pentium processors were based on 64-bit architecture. The recent 64-bit microprocessor use super scaling to offer high speed and high performance such as Intel dual, quad, octa-core microprocessors.

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Types of Microprocessors

Vector Processor

A vector processor is a type of central processing unit (CPU) that is designed to perform mathematical operations on arrays of data, called vectors, more efficiently than a scalar processor, which operates on single data elements. Vector processors can perform operations on multiple data elements simultaneously, which can lead to faster and more efficient processing. Vector processors can be found in some supercomputers and servers, as well as in some specialized graphics processing units (GPUs).

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Array Processor or SIMD Processor 

Array processors are also designed for vector computations. The difference between an array processor and a scalar processor is that a vector processor uses multiple vector pipelines whereas an array processor employs a number of processing elements to operate in parallel.  Array processors can also be found in some supercomputers and servers, as well as in some specialized graphics processing units (GPUs). Array processors are different from scalar processors, which operate on single data elements and are more common in general-purpose computing applications.

Scalar Processor

It is a processor which executes scalar data. The simplest scalar processor makes the processing of only integer instruction using fixed point operands. A powerful scalar processor makes the processing of both integers as well as floating point numbers. It contains an integer ALU and a floating point unit (FPU) on the same CPU chip. A scalar processor may be a CISC or RISC processor. A super scalar processor contains multiple pipelines and executes more than one instruction per clock cycle.

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RISC and CISC Processor 

RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) and CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) are two approaches to designing a central processing unit (CPU), which is the main component of a computer that performs most of the processing tasks. RISC processors have a smaller, simpler instruction set, which means they have fewer types of instructions that they can execute. This makes them easier to design and manufacture, and allows them to execute instructions faster than CISC processors. RISC processors are typically used in devices that require high performance and low power consumption, such as smartphones and tablets. RISC processors are faster and more efficient than CISC processors.

CISC processors, on the other hand, have a larger and more complex instruction set, which means they can execute a wider range of instructions. This makes them more versatile, but also more expensive and slower to execute instructions than RISC processors. CISC processors are typically used in devices that require more flexibility, such as desktop computers and servers.

Features of RISC Microprocessor

• The instructions in RISC microprocessors are simple.
• As suggested by its name, the numbers of instructions are reduced to between 30 and 40.
• The instructions are simple thus it takes only one machine cycle to complete.
• Pipelining (parallel execution) is fairly easy in a RISC microprocessor.
• The format and size of instructions is limited and fixed.
• Due to the low number of instructions, the program code lengthy and require more memory.
• It put emphasis on the software or compiler and less on the load on the hardware.

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Features of CISC Microprocessor:

• The instructions are complex.
• The numbers of instructions are relatively more than RISC microprocessor almost 100 to 200.
• It takes more than four cycles to somewhere around 120 to complete complex instructions.
• The program is executed sequentially thus no feature of pipelining (parallel execution).
• The instructions are executed by micro program where the complexity lies.
• The instruction format and size may vary as opposed to RISC fixed instructions.
• The program code in CISC is simple and short thus it uses less memory or RAM.
• It put emphasis on the hardware and less on the software or programming.

Digital Signal Processor

A digital signal processor (DSP) is a specialized microprocessor designed to perform high-speed mathematical operations on digital signals, which are sequences of digital data representing physical quantities such as sound, images, and other sensory information. DSPs are used in a range of applications that require fast processing of digital signals, including audio and video processing, telecommunications, and scientific computing. DSPs are optimized for performing mathematical operations common in signal processing, like filtering, convolution, and FFTs, and have specialized instructions and hardware support for these tasks, making them faster and more efficient than general-purpose microprocessors.

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Symbolic Processor

It is a processor that is designed to perform symbolic computation, which is the manipulation of mathematical expressions and symbols using algorithms and rules of symbolic logic. Such processors are designed for expert systems, machine intelligence, knowledge-based system, pattern recognition, etc.  Symbolic processors are also called PROLOG processors.

Graphics Processor

A graphics processor is a specialized microprocessor designed to accelerate the rendering of 2D and 3D graphics in a computer system. It is used in devices like PCs, laptops, smartphones, and gaming consoles, as well as specialized graphics hardware. A GPU(Graphics processing unit) is different from a CPU and is specifically designed to perform complex calculations for high-quality graphics in real time. It performs tasks related to graphics renderings, like shading and texturing, more efficiently than a CPU. A GPU is also used in specialized graphics hardware such as graphics cards and accelerators.

Bit-Slice Microprocessors (BSM)

Bit-Slice Microprocessor or BSM is a special type of microprocessor whose main purpose is to form a microprocessor of desired word size by combining identical BSMs. It is available in 2-bit, 4-bit, 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit word size. And two or more than two identical BSMs are cascaded together to form a processor of conventional (8,16,32) or unconventional (6,10,12) word size.

Bit-Slicing means that the microprocessor is made from modules of identical microprocessors with a smaller bit size. Its main purpose is to increase the bit size of a microprocessor to our desired width.

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Input/Output Processor (IOP)

Input/output Processor or IOP is a special type of processor designed to control and manages the input and output tasks of a computer. They have direct access to the memory and are similar to the CPU except they only process I/O peripherals such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, display unit, etc.

The CPU and IOP acts as master and slave, the CPU sends the instruction for operation and the IOP execute it.

Transputer (Transistor Computer)

The transputer is the first general-purpose computer designed by Inmos to perform parallel computing. It also incorporates internal memory with serial communication links to communicate between processors for parallel operation.

The name Transputer is the combination of “transistor” and “computer”. The name was chosen due to its similarity with a transistor as the building block in the computer. It is the building block of parallel computer & multiple transputers connect together to form a fully functioning parallel computer.

Coprocessor

The coprocessor is a type of special-purpose processor that helps the main or primary processor in processing complex tasks. It increases the performance of the primary processor by lend its processing power to reducing the load off the primary processor. These are used in graphic, complex arithmetic operation, single processing and I/O interfacing operations.

The coprocessor is physically separate from the main processor (CPU) and it works independently. They are very fast in executing a specific task because of its limited instruction set. Therefore, they cannot be used for general purpose applications like CPU.

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Applications of Microprocessor

• Computer: The Microprocessors are the CPU’s in computers.
• Embedded Systems: It is utilized as the main processing block in the Embedded systems such as Washing machines, microwaves and other equipment’s.
• Industrial Automation: It can be used to control Industrial machinery and equipment’s.
• Automotive: The Modern day Vehicles uses Microprocessors in there ECUs.
• Telecommunications: The Microprocessors are utilized in the Telecommunications systems such as routers, modems, and switches.

Frequently Asked Questions on Types of Microprocessors-FAQ’s

Give examples for 8 / 16 / 32 bit Microprocessor?

The examples for 8 / 16 / 32 bit Microprocessor is as follows:

• 8-bit Processor – 8085 / Z80 / 6800
• 16-bit Processor – 8086 / 68000 / Z8000
• 32-bit Processor – 80386 / 80486.

Why 8085 processor is called an 8 bit processor?

A 8085 processor is called an 8 bit processor because 8085 processor has 8 bit ALU (Arithmetic Logic Review). Similarly, 8086 processor has 16 bit ALU.

What does microprocessor speed depend on?

The microprocessor speed or The processing speed depends on DATA BUS WIDTH.

What is the difference between microprocessor and micro controller?

A Microprocessor has more op-codes and few bit handling instructions but in Micro controller, it has fewer op-codes but more bit handling Instructions, and also it is defined as a device that includes more microprocessor, memory, & input / output signal lines on a single chip.

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