Microprocessors basics

Study Notes

Definition: A microprocessor is a central processing unit (CPU) that contains the entire processing system of a computer on a single integrated circuit (IC).
Components:
- Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
- Control Unit
- Registers
- Bus
Types:
- CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing)
- RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing)
Microprocessor architecture:
- Von Neumann architecture
- Harvard architecture
Microprocessor design considerations:
- Performance
- Power consumption
- Cost

Definition: Computer architecture refers to the design and organization of a computer's internal components, including the relationships between them.
Components:
- Input/Output (I/O) devices
- Memory (primary and secondary)
- CPU
- Bus
Types of computer architecture:
- Von Neumann architecture
- Harvard architecture
- Flynn's taxonomy
  - SISD (Single Instruction, Single Data)
  - SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data)
  - MISD (Multiple Instruction, Single Data)
  - MIMD (Multiple Instruction, Multiple Data)
Computer architecture design considerations:
- Performance
- Scalability
- Reliability
- Cost

Definition: Digital circuits are electronic circuits that process and transmit digital information, represented as 0s and 1s.
Types of digital circuits:
- Combinational logic circuits
- Sequential logic circuits
- Synchronous digital circuits
- Asynchronous digital circuits
Digital circuit components:
- Logic gates (AND, OR, NOT, etc.)
- Flip-flops
- Counters
- Registers
Digital circuit design considerations:
- Speed
- Power consumption
- Area
- Cost

Definition: Embedded systems are specialized computer systems designed to perform a specific task or set of tasks.
Characteristics:
- Real-time operation
- Limited resources (memory, processing power, etc.)
- Low power consumption
- High reliability
Types of embedded systems:
- Microcontrollers
- Digital signal processors
- System-on-Chip (SoC)
- Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)
Embedded system design considerations:
- Performance
- Power consumption
- Cost
- Reliability

Definition: VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) design refers to the process of designing and manufacturing integrated circuits with a large number of components.
VLSI design process:
- Specification
- Design
- Verification
- Testing
- Fabrication
VLSI design tools:
- Hardware Description Languages (HDLs) such as Verilog and VHDL
- Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools such as Cadence and Synopsys
VLSI design considerations:
- Area
- Speed
- Power consumption
- Yield
- Cost

A microprocessor is a central processing unit (CPU) that contains the entire processing system of a computer on a single integrated circuit (IC).
Components of a microprocessor include Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), Control Unit, Registers, and Bus.
There are two main types of microprocessors: CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) and RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing).
Microprocessor architecture can be classified into two main types: Von Neumann architecture and Harvard architecture.
Microprocessor design considerations include performance, power consumption, and cost.

Computer architecture refers to the design and organization of a computer's internal components, including the relationships between them.
Components of computer architecture include Input/Output (I/O) devices, Memory (primary and secondary), CPU, and Bus.
There are three main types of computer architecture: Von Neumann architecture, Harvard architecture, and Flynn's taxonomy.
Flynn's taxonomy categorizes computer architecture into four types: SISD (Single Instruction, Single Data), SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data), MISD (Multiple Instruction, Single Data), and MIMD (Multiple Instruction, Multiple Data).
Computer architecture design considerations include performance, scalability, reliability, and cost.

Digital circuits are electronic circuits that process and transmit digital information, represented as 0s and 1s.
There are four main types of digital circuits: combinational logic circuits, sequential logic circuits, synchronous digital circuits, and asynchronous digital circuits.
Components of digital circuits include logic gates (AND, OR, NOT, etc.), flip-flops, counters, and registers.
Digital circuit design considerations include speed, power consumption, area, and cost.

Embedded systems are specialized computer systems designed to perform a specific task or set of tasks.
Characteristics of embedded systems include real-time operation, limited resources, low power consumption, and high reliability.
There are four main types of embedded systems: microcontrollers, digital signal processors, System-on-Chip (SoC), and Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).
Embedded system design considerations include performance, power consumption, cost, and reliability.

VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) design refers to the process of designing and manufacturing integrated circuits with a large number of components.
The VLSI design process includes specification, design, verification, testing, and fabrication.
VLSI design tools include Hardware Description Languages (HDLs) such as Verilog and VHDL, and Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools such as Cadence and Synopsys.
VLSI design considerations include area, speed, power consumption, yield, and cost.