Microprocessor
part · 1971 · Digital age
A computer’s central processor on a single chip; the first commercial one was the Intel 4004.
What it is made of
- Logic gate — has part. A processor is billions of gates.
- Flip-flop — has part. Registers are flip-flops.
- Cache memory — has part. Cache.
Principles and materials it uses
- CMOS — uses. Processors are CMOS.
- Moore’s law — uses. The number of transistors grows according to Moore’s law.
- Binary number system — uses. It works with binary numbers.
- EUV lithography — uses. Leading-edge processors.
- Silicon — is made of. The die is silicon.
- Copper — is made of. The interconnects are copper.
Where it is used
- System on a chip (SoC) — is part of. Inside the SoC are processor cores.
- Computer — is part of. The heart of a modern computer is the microprocessor.
- Industrial robot — is part of. A microprocessor-based controller is in charge.
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS) — is part of. A control unit.
- Personal computer — is part of. The PC became possible thanks to the microprocessor.
- Server — is part of. Processors.
- Game console — is part of. A processor.
- Robot vacuum — is part of. Control.
- Insulin pump — is part of. A dosing controller.
- Engine control unit — is part of. A microprocessor.
- Programmable logic controller — is part of. A processor.
- Mobile phone — is part of. A processor is in control.
- Drum machine — is part of. A processor sets the rhythm.
- Handheld console — is part of. A processor.
History: what it evolved from and what it influenced
- Electronic calculator — evolved from. The Intel 4004 was designed for a Busicom calculator.
- Microcontroller — evolved into. A processor with peripherals on the chip.
What it is a kind of
- Integrated circuit — is a kind of. A processor on a single integrated circuit.
- Digital signal processor — includes. A specialized processor.