Mikroprotsessor

Mikroprotsessor is a microprocessor—a central processing unit implemented on a single integrated circuit. It executes instructions of computer programs, controls other components, and performs arithmetic, logic, and data movement operations.

Modern mikroprotsessorid typically include an instruction set architecture (ISA), control unit, arithmetic logic unit, registers, cache, buses, and sometimes multiple cores. They employ pipelining, out-of-order execution, speculative execution, and branch prediction to improve performance. They rely on external memory and peripherals in a system.

The development of mikroprotsessorid began in the 1970s with early IC CPUs such as the Intel 4004 and 8086, marking a shift from discrete logic to integrated CPU cores. Since then, processors have grown in complexity, transistor count, and features, leading to RISC and CISC families and multi-core and many-core designs.

A mikroprotsessor is the CPU. Microcontrollers and digital signal processors are related but differ in function. A microcontroller combines CPU with memory and peripherals on one chip, while a mikroprotsessor typically requires external components. Instruction set architectures include x86, ARM, MIPS, and others; RISC vs CISC describes design philosophy.

Mikroprotsessorid powerivad personaalarvute, serverite, mobiilsete seadmete, kinnisvara puudutavate süsteemide ja tarbeelektroonika, ning nad mõjutavad kaasaegset digitaliseeritud majandust, võimaldades tarkvara põhist kontrolli ja andmetöötlust.