Uses and Application of Microprocessors - Term Paper Example

Running Head: Uses and Application of Microprocessors (Author’s Name) (Institutional Affiliation) Introduction A microprocessor is a mass storage device that integrates the different functions of the central processing units of many electronic devices on either single or multiple integrated circuits. It performs multipurpose tasks by accepting data input in digital form, and then processes it as per the instructions embedded in its memory to provide the results as data output. The microprocessors operate on sequent digital logic and its internal memory operates in terms of numerals and symbols, which are represented in form of binary numeral systems. Microprocessors have led to a lot of transformations in the society as it plays a key role the day to day activities. Some of the major uses of microprocessors are those seen in the computers like computation, text messages, editing of texts, communication through social networking and the internet and displays of digital information on multimedia. However, many microprocessors are embedded in many electronic devices used in industries, personal devices like mobile phones, home appliances and automobiles. The discovery of these microprocessors or microcomputers has led to significant modification in the way of doing things. This is because they are available in low cost, with low power consumption, light and provides readily available computing devices for everyone, (Hill, Jouppi, Sohi, 2000 pp 256). Microprocessors are used for different purposes in systems that give instructions, control automatic machines, control of traffic lights and control of motor speed, computer systems, real timing machines, home appliances, reservations and office automation and publication. The presence of the microprocessor in these appliances changes the whole functioning of the systems and results in an effective and reliable outcome. Functions of a microprocessor There are three major functions of a microprocessor, and they perform their tasks in three different processes. The first step is where the microprocessor collects instructions from the computer main memory. The data is fed into the computer by the user where it is taken to the main memory for storage as it awaits processing. The next step entails the decoding or interpretation of the information collected from the computer’s main memory to know its meaning. This process involves decoding the information and understanding the instructions laid down for the appliance to perform. The final step is the processing of the interpreted information by performing the instructions fed into the computer’s memory. The processed information is then moved back for display on the screen, and the microprocessor repeats the whole process once again. The process of collecting integrating and processing the instructions is very fast, and this enables the microprocessor to perform many tasks in a very short span of time, (Ibrahim, 2003 pp 323). Microprocessors application Microprocessors have been in the market for a long period of time, but its application was not fully utilised because it was used fro the wrong reasons. Equipments that use microprocessors were very expensive to acquire in the late 1970s, and it took a while to manufacture electronics embedded with microprocessors that were cheap. However, this was made possible by the introduction of 8bit Intel microprocessor, which functioned in the control of CRT. This marked the beginning of a new era in the production of many devices, which used microprocessors to control most of its functions, and the main one being production of personal computers that are cheap and easily available. The discovery of new and cheap microprocessors enabled the computer designers to design electronic devices that were useful for business and professional purposes. The new developments in the micro processing industry led to the creation of devices, which work together with the microprocessor to control fast devices in any electronic device, (Ibrahim, 2003 pp 426). Microprocessors have led the world into an era where the devices in use are distributed systems. Here, the different processors in any device are able to perform all the functions of processing the input instructions and produce the desired output. This helps to reduce the intercommunication between the different processors in a device, hence makes the production of a desired outcome faster as compared to devices, which use interlinked microprocessors. These devices have multiple microprocessors which do not operate as a system, but operate on its own to produce different outputs. This is different from the traditional microprocessors where they operated as a system, and had to collect information from the different processors in order to complete a process, (Stout, 1982, pp 187). Microprocessors are now applied in the design and manufacture of single high-volume system programs, which are tailored to meet the different needs of different users. These microprocessors are cheap and operate on software application with very high speed enabling the user to multitask, something which was not possible when using hardware application. Microprocessors are mostly applied in many computer systems from the personal computers to the super computers. The programs which utilize the services of microprocessors include; word processing program, e- mails, spreadsheets, computer graphics, database processing and different forms of animations. They are also present in many household appliances like the ovens, microwaves, washing machines, refrigerators, video cassette recorders, thermostats and electronic programmable games. Other fields where microprocessors are applied include the motor industry, where microprocessors are embedded in new cars. In the cars they help regulate the ignition, emission system of the vehicle and improve the operations of the vehicle’s engine. This feature is important as it helps in economising the consumption of fuel by motor vehicles, and also helps conserve the environment by reducing the level of air and noise pollution. The development of large scale integrated technology has led to an improvement in the micro processing system, hence enabling the use of multiple processors located at different parts of chips. They are mainly found at the edges of the chips, and these are common in programmed systems, where they serve as communication devices transferring data from the periphery to the central processing unit of the system. The advantage of the multiple microprocessors is that they are very fast and its final result is standardized. Uses of Microprocessors Instrumentation Microprocessors play a vital role in the instrumentation s sector. They are embedded in many instruments like generators, regularity synthesizers, spectrum investigation, medical equipments, and frequency counters. The microprocessors perform different roles in the instruments and enable them to function properly. It regulates the input and output of information. In hospitals it is used in ultra sounds, and x-rays, hence help in treatment process. It collects instructions in form of data input and relays it to the central processing unit where the instructions are interpreted, and the desired output produced. These microprocessors are mostly found in big industries or hospitals where large scale production is common. In industries, microprocessors are embedded in machines that help in the production of goods and services, and they help make the production process much as compared to humans doing the production. The other advantage of microprocessors is that it produces standard products that are of high quality. Control Many home appliances have microprocessors which perform different task in making the appliances functional. The microprocessors play a number of vital roles in home appliances including; controlling the speed of the appliances in order to regulate its function, controlling the temperature of the appliance to protect it from causing hard to the user and the product it is producing. The other function of the microprocessors in home appliances is controlling the pressure of the appliance. It makes sure that it is operating under the desired pressure to produce the desired result. The microprocessor regulates the pressure, and it can either increase or decrease the pressure of the appliance in order to regulate it to continue functioning normally. The microprocessor regulates the pressure, temperature and the speed of the appliance with the help of a transduction, which suits the home appliance. The other function of a microprocessor is regulating the amount of heat emitted by the appliance. Without a microprocessor, the appliances would not function normally as it would either produce too much heat or produce inadequate amount of heat, (Lin, 1977 pp 431).The home appliance that proves this is the refrigerator, without a microprocessor the food would get spoilt because there would be nothing to regulate the temperature of the appliance. Some of the home appliances that work with the help of microprocessors include washing machines, electronic iron box, ovens, microwaves, refrigerators and vacuum cleaners. Communication The communication industry relies on microprocessors to effectively perform is day to day activities. The Microprocessors are vital in many communication equipments. The first use of microprocessors is evident in the telecommunication industry, where the microprocessors are used in the digital sets of telephones. They help in changing data in digital form to analog and transmit the data from one end to the other. This is done with the help of a modem or a telephone exchanger, whose main function is transforming data from digital to analog form. Microprocessors are also useful in television in the transmission of sound and images from the relaying station o the viewer’s television set. Satellites also utilize the services of microprocessors in the collection and transmission of information from different parts of the world. Communication satellites make use of microwave radios, and the solar panels helps transmit signals at very high speed to the high earth orbits at the stationary geo-synchronous orbits. Teleconferencing is also enabled by the use of microprocessors in the process of communication by different people in different parts of the world. The microprocessor coordinates the video cameras, screens and the computers to ensure that the people having the conference are able to communicate effectively, (Mc Donald, 2000, pp 213). Microprocessors play a vital role in the reservation process in the railway and air industry. The two industries benefit from the services, which are made possible by the presence of machines which have microprocessors integrated into their systems. This makes the whole process of reserving planes and trains fast, effective and reliable with minimal mistakes. Microprocessors are also used in integrated right waves, where it helps in the transmission of data and information over short distances. This is applicable in remote controls, which are used to transmit data over short distances. The LAN and WAN network systems help transmit data with the help of microprocessors in a vertical topology, (Stokes, 2007 pp 123). Mobile phones play an important role in the day to day communication in different parts of the world. These devices utilize microprocessors with some of them having more than one microprocessor embedded in its system. Some mobile phones like the iPhones have two microprocessors. These microprocessors are the processor and the baseband. The two microprocessors have different independent functions in the phone. The function of the baseband is to control all the wireless applications of the iPhone. These applications include features like Bluetooth and the ability of the mobile to connect with other phones. The processor, on the other hand, serves as a reserve to the major processor of the iPhone, which regulates the user interface. It also controls the integrated systems of the phone including the iPhones applications which the users interact with as they use of the phone. Office mechanization and Publication Computers embedded with microprocessors have changed the day to day operations in the publication industry. It contains packages that are useful in the preparation of different aspects of office documents. The microprocessor contains software packages, which serve different purposes including word processing, accounting and record keeping. The word processor helps in typing documents like letters, memos, articles, books, news papers and magazines. The spreadsheet, on the other hand, plays a key role in the calculation of the office budget, (Godse, 2009, pp 501). The database helps in the management and preparation of records for storage. The database contains sites, where documents are prepared fro storage. The other feature of microprocessor that helps in the management of office activities is the computer aided software. This helps with the technical drawing in the office. The graphics software is important as it creates and manipulates pictures in the computer to produce images required by the office. Consumers The presence of microprocessors in entertainment equipments has led to an increase in the consumption of such equipments. Some of the equipments with microprocessors include toys and home applications. This makes these equipments more entertaining as compared to regular equipments. The microprocessor installs features into these applications, which make them more entertaining and up to date. Computer games and video games are also part of the many applications of microprocessors in the entertainment industry. It controls the different aspects of the entertainment and can be useful in keeping the user updated on the latest entertainments, (Motorola Semiconductor ProductsInc, Moore, 1975 pp 198). General computing Microprocessors are used in general computing activities, and they are mostly found embedded in the computers used in the day to day activities. The computers with microprocessors embedded into their systems include laptops, personal computers, desktops and supercomputers. The microprocessor helps in controlling different functions of the different parts of the computer. It controls the core functions of the computer including the transfer of input data to the central processing unit until it is processed and the output displayed. These activities include calculations and transfer of data from one part to the other for processing. The microprocessor coordinates al the parts of the computer to perform its functions so that the flow of data from the time it is fed into the computer to the time it is processed and displayed flows smoothly, and follows the required sequence, (Mathur, 1989 pp 231). Signal processing The microprocessors are also used in the signal processing industry. The microprocessors decode radio and digital signals. The use of microprocessors in this industry enables people in different parts of the world to communicate as it decodes information from one microphone to the other. The microphones contain cameras which help in transmitting images from one microphone to the other. The other use of microprocessors in signal processing is in the computers where people are able to see each other through the computer screen as they communicate with each other. The microprocessor helps improve the quality of the signal and makes communication between parties more effective as it has no difference with face to face conversation. This is important for business people who need to make transactions with people in different parts of the world as they can continue with their transactions without having the need to travel. Real time computing Microprocessors are sometimes embedded in devices that help with the security systems. A security device like the anti-clock braking system is an example of security devices that utilize the services of the microprocessor. The microprocessor embedded in the device is able to detect the movements and changes in its surroundings. It then transmits the signals corresponding to these changes and movements to the central control of the devices. The device helps to track any changes that occur in the surrounding and relay these changes to the control unit where they are recorded, (Crisp, 2004 pp 186). This is also applicable in door bells as they transmit the signal to the other side of the building. Ovens also have timers installed into their systems to alert the user when the food in the oven is ready to prevent it from burning. Conclusion The development of microprocessors in the late 1960s has led to many developments in the technology. It has done a lot to the introduction of devices that are cheap, fact, effective and those that produce quality and standard products. They are used in different fields to make work easier as compared to manual work. With its ability to perform many tasks at the same time, a multiprocessor transforms equipments into a better and more useful tool than it was without the microprocessor embedded in tis system. It is widely used in industries where mass production of good and services are requires. This makes the whole process simple and effective with minimal interruptions. The use of microprocessors is not limited to any device, and nowadays any electronic device including those that were purely electronic before have adapted to the use of microprocessors. The devices that did not use microwaves before like the light switches, bulb holders, thermostatic radiators and other mechanical devices have now been modified to use microprocessors With the introduction of microprocessor to the different fields, there have been a lot of positive changes and this has led to many revolutions in how things are done. Home appliances have made house chores much easier to handle as compared to the era where everything had to be done manually. Communication, on the other hand, has changed drastically with the introduction of microprocessors. The process of communication is now fast and effective especially with the presence of networking technologies, which utilize the presence of systems that use microprocessors. Microprocessors have made work easy as they can be used in different field to improve the quality of work. Work Cited Crisp, J. 2004. Introduction to Microprocessors and Microcontrollers. London: Newnes. Godse, A, P. 2009. Microprocessors: Harvard: Technical Publications. Hill, M, D., Jouppi, N, P., Sohi, G. 2000.Readings in Computer Architecture. Harvard:Gulf Professional Publishing. Ibrahim, K, F. 2003. Dvd Players and Drives.London: Newnes. Lin, W, C. 1977. Microprocessors: fundamentals & applications. London: IEEE Press Mathur, A, P. 1989. Introduction to Microprocessors: Manchester: Tata McGraw-Hill Education. Mc Donald, P, W. 2007. New scientist, Michigan: PC Magazines. Motorola Semiconductor ProductsInc, Moore, W, A. 1975. Microprocessor applications manual. London: McGraw-Hill. Stokes,J. 2007. Inside The Machine: An Illustrated Introduction to Microprocessors and Computer Architecture. London: No Starch Press, Stout, D, F. 1982. Microprocessor applications handbook. Manchester:McGraw-Hill. Read More