Microprocessors :: essays research papers fc

Inside of the mysterious stroke that perches ominously on your desk is iodine ofthe marvels of the modern world. This marvel is also a total enigma to or so ofthe population. This enigma is, of course, the microprocessor. To an averageobserver a microprocessor is simply a small piece of black plastic that is embedinside of almost everything.In How Microprocessors Work they atomic number 18 defined as a computers centralprocessing unit, usually contained on a unity integrated circuit (Wyant andHammerstrom, 193). In plain English this simply style that a microprocessor isthe brain of a computer and it is only on one chip. Winn L. Rosch comp ars themto being an electronic equivalent of a knee-joint that when struck with theproper digital stimulus will react in the exact same bureau each time (Rosch,37).More practically a microprocessor is multitudinous transistors squeezed onto assmall a piece of silicon as possible to do math problems as fast as possible.Microprocessors are mad e of many an(prenominal) smaller components which all worktogether to make the chip work. A really good analogy for the way the versedworkings of a chip operate can be found in How Microprocessors Work. In theirbook, Wyant and Hammerstrom describe a microprocessor as a manufacturing plant and all ofthe inner workings of the chip as the various parts of a factory (Wyant andHammerstrom, 71-103). Basically a microprocessor can be seen as a factorybecause like a factory it is sent something and is told what to do with it. Themicroprocessor factory processes information. This most basic unit of thisinformation is the bit. A bit is simply on or off. It is either a one or a zero.Bits are put into 8 bit groups called bytes. The number 8 is used because it isoffers overflowing combinations to encode our entire language (28=256). If only 4bits are used only (24=16) combinations would be possible. This is enough toencode 9 digits and some operations. (The first microprocessors poweredcalcu lators) A half byte is called a nybble and consists of 4 bits. In the worldof computer fine art the combination of bits is easier seen. In computergraphics bits are used to make color combinations, gum olibanum with more bits morecolors are possible. Eight bit graphics will display 256 colors, 16 bit willdisplay 65,536, and 24 bit graphics will display 16.7 million colors. The busunit is described as the shipping dock because it controls data transfers, andfunctions between the exclusive pieces of the chip. The part of the chip that