Microprocessor Tutorial http://www.eastaughs.fsnet.co.uk/cpu/index.

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Introduction

COMPUTER
TUTORIAL
Introduction
Input
Output
Data Storage
Other Components
Quiz

The microprocessor is sometimes referred to as the 'brain' of the personal computer, and is
MICROPROCESSOR
TUTORIAL responsible for the processing of the instructions which make up computer software. It houses
Introduction the central processing unit, commonly referred to as the CPU, and as such is a crucially
important part of the home PC. However, how many people really understand how the chip itself
CPU STRUCTURE works?
Introduction
ALU This tutorial aims to provide an introduction to the various parts of the microprocessor, and to
Control Unit teach the basics of the architecture and workings of the CPU across three specific sections:
Register Array
System Bus CPU Structure
Quiz This section, using a simplified model of a central processing unit as an example, takes you
through the role of each of the major constituent parts of the CPU. It also looks more closely at
INSTRUCTION
EXECUTION each part, and examines how they are constructed and how they perform their role within the
Introduction microprocessor.
Instruction Sets
Execution Cycle Instruction Execution
Fetch Cycle Once you are familiar with the various elements of the processor, this section looks at how they
Decode/Execute work together to process and execute a program. It looks at how the various instructions that
Cycles form the program are recognised, together with the processes and actions that are carried out
Execute during the instruction execution cycle itself.
(Immediate)
Execute (Direct) Further Features
Execute (Indirect) Now that the basics have been covered, this section explores the further advancements in the
Sample Program field of microprocessor architecture that have occured in recent years. Explanations of such
Quiz
techniques as pipelining and hyperthreading are provided, together with a look at cache memory
FURTHER FEATURES and trends in CPU architecture.
Introduction
Pipelining Each section also concludes with a multiple choice quiz with which you can test your knowledge,
Pipelining Problems while some also contain interactive animations in order to improve your learning experience.
CISC & RISC These animations are in Macromedia Flash format, and will require Flash Player to be installed on
Modern your computer. If it is not, please visit the Macromedia website in order to download and install
Architectures the browser plug-in.
Quiz
Conclusion The first section of this tutorial related to the structure of the central processing unit. Please click
the button marked with the next arrow below to proceed.

© Matthew Eastaugh, 2004

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