THE PROCESSOR

THE PROCESSOR
This is a hardware component of
the computer that interprets and
carries out the basic instructions
that operate the computer. The
processor is called the brain of the
computer. It is also known as the
Central Processing Unit (CPU). It
takes raw data and converts it into
information.
 Processor Speed
The speed of the processor is measured
in:
-Megahertz
-Gigahertz
 Components of the CPU

1. Control Unit (CU)

2. Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU)
3. Registers
4. Buses
Diagram of the Processor
 The Control Unit (CU)

This is referred to as the supervisor within the CPU, and

it performs the following functions:
1. Controls the fetching of instructions from memory
2. Decodes the instructions
3. Executes the decoded instructions
4. Controls the input and output devices
5. Controls the passing of data to the Arithmetic/Logic
Unit (ALU) for computation
 The Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU)
This performs the arithmetic and logical
operations, such as:
1. Addition
2. Subtraction
3. Negation
4. Division
5. Multiplication
6. Comparison (=, <, >, < =, >=)
 Registers

These are high speed storage locations

within the CPU and they hold data,
instructions, and addresses for the next
instruction.
 Buses
A bus is a circuit that provides a
path for transmission of
data/information between
components of the CPU. There are
3 types of buses:
1.Data bus
2.Control bus
3. Address bus
Data Bus

 Carries the actual data or information that

is being processed.
Address Bus

 This determines the location in memory

that the processor will read data from or
write data to
Control Bus

 This is used by the CPU to communicate

with other devices within the computer. It
carries commands from the CPU and
returns status signals from the devices.
 MACHINE CYCLE
This refers to the basic commands performed by
the CPU. It is sometimes called the Processor
Cycle or the Instruction Cycle.

A processor repeats a set of four basic operations

for every instruction.
Machine Cylce contd….

 The computer can only do one thing at a

time. Each action must be broken down
into the most basic steps. One round of
steps from getting an instruction back to
getting the next instruction is called the
Machine Cycle.
The Machine Cycle
 These operations are as follows:
1.Fetching
2.Decoding
3.Executing
4.Storing
Fetching
This is the process of obtaining a program
instruction or data item from memory.
 
Decoding
This is the process of translating the
instruction into signals that the computer can
execute.
Executing
This is the process of carrying out commands.
 
Storing
This is the process of writing the results
obtained to memory.
These four operations (fetching, decoding,
executing and storing) make up the machine
cycle.