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Evolution of Microprocessors

The document outlines the evolution of microprocessors from the invention of the transistor in 1948 to modern multi-core processors, detailing key developments and specifications across various generations. It categorizes microprocessors into types such as CISC, RISC, and application-specific integrated circuits, while also highlighting features, advantages, and disadvantages of microprocessors. The progression includes significant milestones like the introduction of 4-bit to 64-bit processors and advancements in clock speed, cache memory, and power management.

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4 views

Evolution of Microprocessors

The document outlines the evolution of microprocessors from the invention of the transistor in 1948 to modern multi-core processors, detailing key developments and specifications across various generations. It categorizes microprocessors into types such as CISC, RISC, and application-specific integrated circuits, while also highlighting features, advantages, and disadvantages of microprocessors. The progression includes significant milestones like the introduction of 4-bit to 64-bit processors and advancements in clock speed, cache memory, and power management.

Uploaded by

ezekiel nyamu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Evolution of Microprocessors

Last Updated : 06 May, 2023




Transistor was invented in 1948 (23 December 1947 in Bell lab). IC


was invented in 1958 (Fair Child Semiconductors) By Texas
Instruments J Kilby. The first microprocessor was invented by
INTEL(INTegrated ELectronics).
Size of the microprocessor – 4 bit
Clock Number of Inst. per
Name Year of Invention speed transistors sec

INTEL 1971 by Ted Hoff and


740 kHz 2300 60,000
4004/4040 Stanley Mazor

Size of the microprocessor – 8 bit

Year of Clock Number of


Name Invention speed transistors Inst. per sec

8008 1972 500 kHz 3500 50,000

10 times faster
8080 1974 2 MHz 6000
than 8008

1976 (16-bit address


8085 3 MHz 6500 769230
bus)

Size of the microprocessor – 16 bit


Clock Number of Inst.
Name Year of Invention speed transistors per sec

4.77
1978 (multiply and divide
MHz, 8 2.5
8086 instruction, 16-bit data bus and 29000
MHz, 10 Million
20-bit address bus)
MHz
Clock Number of Inst.
Name Year of Invention speed transistors per sec

1979 (cheaper version of 8086 2.5


8088
and 8-bit external bus) Million

1982 (80188 cheaper version


of 80186, and additional
80186/80188 components like interrupt 6 MHz
controller, clock generator,
local bus controller, counters)

1982 (data bus 16bit and 4


80286 8 MHz 134000
address bus 24 bit) Million

Size of the microprocessor – 32 bit


Clock Number of
Name Year of Invention speed transistors Inst. per sec

1986 (other versions


80386DX, 80386SX, 16 MHz
INTEL
80386SL , and data bus – 33 275000
80386
32-bit address bus 32 MHz
bit)

1986 (other versions 16 MHz


INTEL 1.2 Million 8 KB of cache
80486DX, 80486SX, – 100
80486 transistors memory
80486DX2, 80486DX4) MHz

Cache memory 8
bit for
PENTIUM 1993 66 MHz
instructions 8 bit
for data

Size of the microprocessor – 64 bit


Number of Inst. per
Name Year of Invention Clock speed transistors sec

INTEL 2006 (other versions 1.2 GHz to 3 GHz 291 Million 64 KB of L1


Number of Inst. per
Name Year of Invention Clock speed transistors sec

cache per
core2 duo, core2
core 2 transistors core 4 MB of
quad, core2 extreme)
L2 cache

2.2GHz – 3.3GHz,
2.4GHz – 3.6GHz,
i3, i5, i7 2007, 2009, 2010
2.93GHz –
3.33GHz

Generations of microprocessors:
1. First-generation –
From 1971 to 1972 the era of the first generation came
which brought microprocessors like INTEL 4004 Rockwell
international PPS-4 INTEL 8008 etc.

2. Second generation –
The second generation marked the development of 8-bit
microprocessors from 1973 to 1978. Processors like INTEL
8085 Motorola 6800 and 6801 etc came into existence.

3. Third generation –
The third generation brought forward the 16-bit processors
like INTEL 8086/80186/80286 Motorola 68000 68010 etc.
From 1979 to 1980 this generation used the HMOS
technology.

4. Fourth generation –
The fourth-generation came into existence from 1981 to
1995. The 32-bit processors using HMOS fabrication came
into existence. INTEL 80386 and Motorola 68020 are some
of the popular processors of this generation.

5. Fifth-generation –
From 1995 till now we are in the fifth generation. 64-bit
processors like PENTIUM, Celeron, dual, quad, and octa-core
processors came into existence.

Types of microprocessors :
 Complex instruction set microprocessor –
The processors are designed to minimize the number of
instructions per program and ignore the number of cycles
per instruction. The compiler is used to translate a high-level
language to assembly-level language because the length of
code is relatively short and an extra RAM is used to store the
instructions. These processors can do tasks like
downloading, uploading, and recalling data from memory.
Apart from these tasks, this microprocessor can perform
complex mathematical calculations in a single command.
Example: IBM 370/168, VAX 11/780

 Reduced instruction set microprocessor –


These processors are made according to function. They are
designed to reduce the execution time by using the
simplified instruction set. They can carry out small things in
specific commands. These processors complete commands
at a faster rate. They require only one clock cycle to
implement a result at uniform execution time. There is a
number of registers and less number of transistors. To
access the memory location LOAD and STORE instructions
are used.
Example: Power PC 601, 604, 615, 620

 Superscalar microprocessor –
These processors can perform many tasks at a time. They
can be used for ALUs and multiplier-like arrays. They have
multiple operation units and perform tasks by executing
multiple commands.

 Application-specific integrated circuit –


These processors are application-specific like personal
digital assistant computers. They are designed according to
proper specifications.

 Digital signal multiprocessor –


These processors are used to convert signals like analog to
digital or digital to analog. The chips of these processors are
used in many devices such as RADAR SONAR home theatres
etc.
Features :

Clock speed: One of the earliest features of microprocessors was


the clock speed, which refers to the speed at which the processor
can execute instructions. Over time, clock speeds have increased,
with modern processors capable of speeds in the billions of cycles
per second (GHz).
Instruction set architecture: Microprocessors have evolved to
support different instruction set architectures, including CISC
(complex instruction set computer) and RISC (reduced instruction
set computer), which affect the efficiency and complexity of
processing.
Cache memory: Microprocessors now include a cache memory,
which is a small amount of high-speed memory that stores
frequently used data for quicker access.
Multi-core processors: Modern microprocessors have multiple
cores, allowing for multiple tasks to be executed simultaneously,
increasing performance and multitasking capabilities.
Virtualization: Microprocessors now support virtualization, which
enables multiple operating systems to run on the same physical
hardware.
Power management: Modern processors include power
management features, which reduce power consumption and
improve energy efficiency.
Graphics processing: Many modern microprocessors include
integrated graphics processing units (GPUs), which allow for faster
and more efficient handling of graphics-intensive tasks.
Security features: Microprocessors now include security features,
such as hardware-level encryption and secure boot, to protect
against malware and hacking.
Internet connectivity: Microprocessors now include built-in
networking capabilities, such as Wi-Fi and Ethernet, which allow for
seamless internet connectivity.
Machine learning capabilities: Some modern microprocessors
include specialized processing units for machine learning and
artificial intelligence tasks, allowing for faster and more efficient
processing of these tasks.
Advantages of the microprocessor –
1. High processing speed
2. Compact size
3. Easy maintenance
4. Can perform complex mathematics
5. Flexible
6. Can be improved according to a requirement

Disadvantages of microprocessors –
1. Overheating occurs due to overuse
2. Performance depends on the size of the data
3. Large board size than microcontrollers
4. Most microprocessors do not support floating-point
operations

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