Microprocessors: Architecture, Evolution, Future and Applications

The word ‘microprocessor’ originated in 1971 when Intel in the USA produced their first microprocessor, the Intel-4004, which was a four bit microprocessor. A microprocessor is an essential component of a digital computer. It is an integrated circuit, programmed with a variety of instructions for performing arithmetic calculations as well as making decisions (just as a CPU does), all within a single semiconductor chip. A microprocessor-based computer is referred to as a computer that has a microprocessor as its central processing unit (CPU). This document examines current issues regarding Micro Processor (MP) technology development by gathering data from multiple research publications about latest trends, challenges, and potentials for future developments. It is intended that this paper addresses various topics including development of novel technologies such as neuromorphic processors (based on brain) and chips that have been built using the “Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipelined Stages (MIPS)” architecture, and a shift toward developing energy-efficient microprocessors and achieving better cross-platform compatibility between software and hardware platforms. This analysis will summarize each research publication in order to identify key points, methodologies, findings, and limitations of research conducted thus far, as well as summarize the main points presented in their respective introductions and discussions. This analysis can then be used to illustrate differing directions for development of MP technology. The documentation identified main trends associated with MP development such as widespread implementation of Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) architectures; a requirement for energy-efficient approaches for developing future microprocessors; and developing means through microcode and software to control usage of pipelined processors. The documentation also includes summaries of major historical achievements associated with MP technology, as well as provides evidence of how MP technology has changed through use of new technologies, and outlines the technological evolution and design characteristics of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and MP’s over time.