For several decades of development, the microprocessor has made its way from the object of application in highly specialized fields to the product of wide operation. Today, in one form or another, these devices, together with controllers, are used in almost any field of production. In a broad sense, microprocessor technology provides control and automation processes, but in the framework of this direction, new areas of development of high-tech devices are formed and approved, until the appearance of signs of artificial intelligence.
Microprocessor Overview
To control or control certain processes, appropriate software support on a real technical basis is required. In this capacity, there is one or a set of chips on base matrix crystals. For practical needs, chip-set modules are almost always used, that is, chipsets that are connected by a common power system, signals, information processing formats, and so on. In a scientific interpretation, as noted in the theoretical foundations of microprocessor technology, such devices represent a place (main memory) for storing operands and instructions in encoded form. Direct control is implemented at a higher level, but also through microprocessor integrated circuits . For this, controllers are used.
Talking about controllers can only be applied to microcomputers or microcomputers consisting of microprocessors. Actually, this is a working technique, in principle, capable of performing certain operations or commands within the framework of a given algorithm. As noted in the textbook on microprocessor technology S. Liventsova, a microcontroller should be understood as a computer oriented to the execution of logical operations in the framework of equipment management. It is based on the same schemes, but with limited computing resources. The task of the microcontroller to a greater extent is to implement responsible, but simple procedures without complex circuits. However, such devices cannot be called technologically primitive either, since in modern factories microcontrollers can simultaneously manage hundreds or even thousands of operations at the same time, taking into account the indirect parameters of their execution. In general, the logical structure of the microcontroller is designed with power, versatility and reliability in mind.
Architecture
Developers of microprocessor devices are dealing with a set of functional components, which ultimately form a single working complex. Even a simple microcomputer model involves the use of a number of elements that ensure the fulfillment of the tasks assigned to the machine. The way the interaction between these components, as well as the means of communication with the input and output signals, largely determine the architecture of the microprocessor. As for the very concept of architecture, it is expressed by different definitions. This may be a set of technical, physical and operational parameters, including the number of memory registers, bit depth, speed, and so on. But, in accordance with the theoretical foundations of microprocessor technology, architecture in this case should be understood as the logical organization of functions realized in the process of interconnected operation of hardware and software filling. More specifically, the microprocessor architecture reflects the following:
- The set of physical elements that form a microprocessor, as well as the relationship between its functional blocks.
- Formats and methods for providing information.
- Channels of access to structure modules available for use with parameters for their further application.
- The operations that a particular microprocessor can perform.
- Characteristics of the control commands that the device generates or receives.
- Reactions to signals from outside.
External interfaces
A microprocessor is rarely seen as an isolated system for executing monosyllabic commands in a static format. There are devices that process a single signal according to a given scheme, but most often the microprocessor technology works with a large number of communication links from sources, which themselves are not linear in terms of processed commands. To organize interaction with third-party equipment and data sources, special connection formats are provided - interfaces. But first you need to determine what exactly is the communication. As a rule, managed devices act in this capacity, that is, a command is sent to them from the microprocessor, and data on the status of the executive body can be received in feedback mode.
As for external interfaces, they serve not only for the possibility of interaction of a certain actuator, but also for its integration into the structure of the control complex. In relation to complex computer and microprocessor technology, this can be a whole set of hardware and software tools that are closely related to the controller. Moreover, microcontrollers often combine the processing and command functions with the tasks of ensuring communication between microprocessors and external devices.
Microprocessor specifications
The main characteristics of microprocessor devices include the following:
- Clock frequency. The time period during which the switching of the components of the computer occurs.
- Bit depth. The number of maximum possible for simultaneous processing of binary bits.
- Architecture. The configuration of placement and methods of interaction of the working elements of the microprocessor.
The nature of the operational process can be judged by the criteria of regularity with the mainline. In the first case, we are talking about how much we implement the principle of regular repeatability in a specific unit of computing microprocessor technology. In other words, what is the conditional percentage of overlapping relationships and work items. Regularity can be applied in general to the structure of the organization of the scheme within the framework of one data processing system.
The backbone indicates a way of exchanging data between the internal modules of the system, affecting also the nature of the ordering of connections. Combining the principles of magistracy and regularity, we can develop a strategy for creating microprocessors that are unified under a specific standard. This approach has the advantage of facilitating the communication organization at different levels in terms of interaction through interfaces. On the other hand, standardization does not allow expanding the capabilities of the system and increasing its stability against external loads.
Microprocessor memory
Information storage is organized using special storage devices made of semiconductors. This applies to internal memory, but external optical and magnetic media can also be used. Also, data storage elements based on semiconductor materials can be represented as integrated circuits that are included in the microprocessor. Such memory cells are used not only for storing programs, but also for servicing the memory of the central processor with controllers.
If we look more deeply at the structural basis of storage devices, then schemes of metal, dielectric and silicon semiconductor will come to the fore. As dielectrics, metal, oxide, and semiconductor components are used. The level of integration of the storage device is determined by the targets and characteristics of the hardware. In digital microprocessor technology with the provision of a video memory function, the universal requirements of reliable integration and compliance with electrical parameters are also supplemented by noise immunity, operational stability, speed and so on. The optimal solution from the point of view of performance criteria and universality of integration are bipolar digital microcircuits, which, depending on current tasks, can also be used as a trigger, processor or inverter.
Functions
The range of functions is largely based on the tasks that the microprocessor will solve within the framework of a given technological process. A universal set of functions in a generalized version can be represented as follows:
- Reading data.
- Data processing.
- Exchange of information with internal memory, modules or external connected devices.
- Data recording.
- Data input and output.
The meaning of each of the above operations is determined by the context of the general system in which the device is used. For example, in the framework of arithmetic-logical operations, the electronic and microprocessor technology as a result of processing the input information can present new information, which, in turn, will become the occasion for one or another command signal. It is also worth noting the internal functionality, due to which the operating parameters of the processor, controller, power supply, actuators and other modules working within the control system are regulated.
Device manufacturers
At the origins of the creation of microprocessor devices were engineers from Intel, who released a whole line of 8-bit microcontrollers based on the MCS-51 platform, which are used in some areas today. Also, many other manufacturers used the x51 family for their own projects as part of the development of new generations of electronics and microprocessor technology, among which there are also domestic developments such as the K1816BE51 single-chip computer.
Having entered the segment of more complex processors, Intel gave way to microcontrollers to other companies, including Analog Device and Atmel. A fundamentally new look at the architecture of microprocessors is offered by Zilog, Microchip, NEC and others. Today, in the context of the development of microprocessor technology, the x51, AVR and PIC lines can be considered the most successful. If we talk about development trends, then today the requirements for expanding the range of internal management tasks, compactness and low power consumption come first. In other words, microcontrollers become smaller and more rational from the point of view of service, but at the same time they increase the capacity potential.
Microprocessor based maintenance
In accordance with the regulations, microprocessor systems are serviced by teams of workers led by an electrician. Among the main maintenance tasks in this area are the following:
- Fixing failures during the operation of the system and analyzing them with determining the causes of the violation.
- Prevention of failures of the device and its components due to the prescribed routine maintenance.
- Elimination of device failures by repairing damaged elements or replacing them with serviceable similar parts.
- Production of timely repair of system components.
Directly servicing microprocessor technology can be complex or small-scale. In the first case, the list of technical operations is combined regardless of their complexity and level of complexity. With the small-scale approach, the emphasis is on the individualization of each operation, that is, individual repair or maintenance operations are carried out in an isolated format from the point of view of the organization in accordance with the flow chart. The disadvantages of this method are associated with high costs for the work process, which in the framework of a large-scale system can be economically unjustified. On the other hand, small-scale maintenance improves the quality of technical support of the equipment, minimizing the risks of its further failure along with individual components.
The use of microprocessor technology
The widespread adoption of microprocessors in various fields of industry, household and national economy is facing fewer barriers. This is again due to the optimization of these devices, their cost reduction and the growing need for automation elements. The areas of the most common use of such devices include:
- Industry. Microprocessors are used in the management of work operations, coordination of machines, control systems and the collection of production indicators.
- Trade. In this area, the operation of microprocessor technology is associated not only with computational operations, but also with the maintenance of logistic models in the management of goods, stocks, and information flows.
- Security systems. Electronics in modern security and alarm systems sets high requirements for automation and intelligent control, which allows providing microprocessors of new generations.
- Communication Of course, communication technologies cannot do without programmable controllers serving multiplexers, remote terminals and switching circuits.
A few words in conclusion
A wide audience of consumers cannot fully imagine even the current capabilities of microprocessor technology, but manufacturers are not standing still and are already considering promising areas for the development of these products. For example, the computer industry rule, according to which the number of transistors will be reduced every two years in processor circuits, is still regularly maintained. But not only structural optimization can boast of modern microprocessors. Experts also predict a lot of innovations in the organization of new circuitry, which will facilitate the technological approach to the development of processors and reduce their base cost.