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MICROPROCESSOR BASICS
A microprocessor, also called CPU is a multipurpose,
programmable logic device that reads a binary instruction
from a storage device called memory, accepts binary data
as input and processes data according to those
instructions, and provides results as output.
Three basic characteristics differentiate microprocessors:
Instruction set. The set of instructions that the
microprocessor can execute.
Bandwidth. The number of bits processed in a single
instruction.
Clock speed. Given in MHz, GHz, the clock speed
determines how many instructions per second the
processor can execute.
1.1 CLASSIFICATION OF MICROCOMPUTERS.
Microprocessors are classified
1. by the width of the data format (4-bit, 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit,
64-bit or 128-bit) they process ; and
2. by their instruction set (CISC, complex-instruction-set
computer, or RISC, reduced-instruction-set computer).

1. Classification by the width of Data they Process
This type of classification depend upon the size of the
internal registers and thereby the word size or the data-
width they can process in one go.
In a laymans language, a data bus is a cable that carries
information to and from the computers memory, to the
processor. A 64 bit processor has a data bus which os 64
bit wide, while a 32 bit processor has a 32 bit wide data
bus.
1.1 CLASSIFICATION OF MICROCOMPUTERS.
2. Classification by the Instruction Set
In addition to bandwidth and clock speed, microprocessors are
classified as being either RISC or CISC or EPIC.
a) RISC. RISC, or Reduced Instruction Set Computer is a typr
of microprocessor architecture that utilizes a small, highly-
optimized set of instructions, rather than a more specialized
set of instructions often found in other types of architecture.
E.g. Intel P6, Pentium4, DECs Alpha 21064.
Major Characteristics:
Simple primitive instructions and addressing modes.
Instructions execute in one clock cycle.
Uniformed length instructions and fixed instruction format.
Instructions interface with memory via fixed mechanisms.
Pipelining.
Instruction set is orthogonal.
Hardwired control.
Complexity pushed to the compiler.
1.1 CLASSIFICATION OF MICROCOMPUTERS.
2. Classification by the Instruction Set
a) CISC. CISC, or Complex Instruction Set Computer is a type
of computer architecture in which the CPU supports hundreds
of instructions.
Major Characteristics:
Simple primitive instructions and addressing modes.
Instructions execute in one clock cycle.
Uniformed length instructions and fixed instruction format.
Instructions interface with memory via fixed mechanisms.
Pipelining.
Instruction set is orthogonal.
Hardwired control.
Complexity pushed to the compiler.