The microprocessor is an integrated circuit that elaborates information in the form of digital signals. Not to be confused with a microcontroller, which embeds many additional devices to control embedded systems.
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1answer
63 views
Are there any ATxmega chips with bi-directional SPi ports?
I searched the datasheets shown for the ATxmega chips in the Microcontroller Selector, shown on the left side of http://www.atmel.com/products/microcontrollers/default.aspx, for any ATxmega chips with ...
0
votes
2answers
41 views
State of mutli-cycle processor during execution of instruction
I was reading something about single-cycle and multi-cycle processors and I have (it seems to be) banal question: how does multi-cycle (that doesn't have pararell pipeline) processor save its state so ...
2
votes
2answers
337 views
How were the first microprocessors made? [duplicate]
I have this question. Since microprocessors were first made, the technology has developed very much. I'm asking this because i would like to try to make a simple microprocessor, something like Intel ...
1
vote
3answers
188 views
Is it true that copying is the most CPU intensive operation?
A mech engineer said that copying puts more load on the microprocessor than "other" operations (e.g. moving data or creating the same amount of new data). Is this true? Can you elaborate? I understand ...
5
votes
1answer
153 views
Maximum clock frequency of microprocessors
Recently, I have heard that AMD has released the new Vishera series of FX processors which run at 5 GHZ. My question is whether there is any upper bound of clock rate of a processor? That is can we ...
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votes
2answers
91 views
Computer communicate with sensor directly without microcontroller [closed]
I wonder why an USB Webcam can work with minimum design for only 3$, it can send data from CMOS Camera to computer via USB connection and i can't find any additional microcontroller in the board. So ...
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votes
3answers
76 views
Program w/ 2 loops and timing and such
So let's say i have a prog that has a fast loop @e 64uS, and a slow loop @e 8mS. If the fast loop takes 34uS to execute do I need to make sure the slow loop can execute in 30uS, so as to not be ...
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2answers
66 views
Why the time of execution is never shown in any Instruction Cycle?
In case of timing diagrams of 8085, what I saw is that, always Opcode Fetch, Memory Read/Write, IO Read/Write is shown but execution is never shown. Is it because the execution time is too less ...
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2answers
104 views
Is the registry file made from SRAM?
I study computer engineering and I read Hennessy's book about Computer Organization where it's described how the microprocessor does pipelining and that the microproceossor has on-chip cache, as much ...
4
votes
3answers
227 views
What is meant by Input clamp current/Output Clamp current in micro controller datasheet?
While reading a PIC data sheet, I found the parameters Input clamp current / Output Clamp current. Where do I consider these specifications?
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votes
1answer
225 views
How to program a BeagleBone board?
Until now I used Microchip PIC, to program this microprocessor there is MPLAB. I would like to make a step forward and learn about other microcontrollers.
I found the BeagleBone Black quiet promising ...
0
votes
1answer
72 views
Is there any tool for decompiling raw binary files to C code for the Motorola 68000 processor series?
I have the ROM dump (.bin files) targeted for the MC68008 processor. Need to convert them into a high level source code. I have already found tools for disassmbling them into assembly code. The next ...
0
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1answer
32 views
How to know about multiplexed inputs/outputs
I am working on AM3352 processor, and i need to know, which of the input/output pins are multiplexed. How to do this using datasheet, it may sound simple thing, but i am new to the processors. Please ...
1
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1answer
58 views
Same processor with different names
Following types/variants/package of P1022 freescale processors are available in market:
1)P1022NXE2LFB
2)P1022NXN2LFB
3)P1022NXE2HFB
4)P1022NXN2EFB
5)P1022NXN2HFB
6)P1022NSE2EFB
7)P1022NSN2EFB
...
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1answer
79 views
Is it possible to build a CPU from content-addressable memory?
Every modern programming language use objects and not C/C++ style struct/class.
In C/C++ every data member has a size, so addressing a struct member is basically a memory address + offset. But script ...
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0answers
36 views
Reading from an ITG-3200 Gyroscope
I'm having some trouble getting any reading from an I2C ITG-3200 Gyroscope breakout I'm using from Sparkfun. Here is the product: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9801
I have a feeling this might be ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
How to calculate the address fields for a cache?
I've a homework question about 32-bit cache memories:
For a cache memory that has size 16kB (16384 byte) and blocksize 2
words, state the names and the sizes of each field of the address that
...
1
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2answers
73 views
What is the meaning of “Register.Rd”?
Reading Hennesy's book "Computer Organization and Design" it is mentioned "Register.Rd" and "Register.Rs" but what does it mean? The .Rd, .Rt and .Rs parts I can't understand, on page 365:
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1answer
100 views
What does RWM mean?
I'm studying computer hardware and the acronym "RWM" appears, so I wonder what it means? It has to do with LOADs and STOREs of instructions.
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votes
2answers
92 views
Understanding branch prediction
On page 376 of Hennesay's book Computer Organization And Design, the following illustration is listed to illustrate branch prediction. But what do "IM" and "DM" mean? Does IM stand for instruction ...
1
vote
1answer
132 views
How can I decide whether I can use a Raspberry Pi for my application?
How do I calculate whether some specific hardware can run my code with a given speed?
It's an image recognition software, and a simplified version of the algorithm is:
Grab a frame (in RGB, ...
5
votes
2answers
548 views
Is the Raspberry Pi a microcontroller or a motherboard? [closed]
I had quick question regarding Raspberry Pi: is it a microcontroller or a motherboard?
It looks like a motherboard, but considering that it has its own dedicated memory and processor, it should be a ...
0
votes
1answer
64 views
PIC24H delta time calculation
Hello I'm making a project for my intro embedded software class and I need to make use of a timer in a program. If I'm not mistaken this code should be looping the while for at least 500 ...
4
votes
4answers
206 views
uC platforms to consider for faster CPU and 30+ GPIO pins
I am building a Persistence of Vision project with 120 RGB leds (=360 total lines to be controlled). We have settled on the TLC5940 for driving the LEDs (and could be open to changing this), however, ...
0
votes
2answers
55 views
Best Option for converting & processing multiple analog data lines
I am looking for a good Microcontroller (or DSP or other device if they are more applicable) option that has a reasonably large amount of analog input data lines (preferably > 10 analog input lines) ...
1
vote
3answers
113 views
Is MC8051 is a microprocessor with some components on chip?
The 8051 microcontroller is a microprocessor with RAM, ROM, I/O ports, timers, and serial ports on chip.
Is that the correct distinction between a microprocessor and microcontroller?
5
votes
9answers
499 views
Microprocessors/Microcontrollers - Do registers have addresses?
My Embedded Systems professor keeps referring to the memory locations of registers as their respective "addresses". I'm confused by this; I was always under the impression that in any microprocessor, ...
0
votes
3answers
216 views
sEMG with ADS1299 from TI
What else besides an ADS1299 from TI and a 32bit microcontroller (like Teensy or Electric Imp) would I need to get an sEMG signal?
The ADS1299 is a "low-noise, 8-Channel, 24-Bit analog front-end for ...
3
votes
5answers
484 views
How can 8-bit processor support more than 256 bytes of RAM?
If a 32 bit processor can handle 4GB of RAM(aproximately), why do my arduino mega 2560 has 8kB of SRAM, if being a 8-bit processor allows it to handle just 256 bytes?, or am i reading this next page ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
How do I get +5v for loud noise, 0v for silence from Electret Microphone (or other components)?
I have been asking a few questions here to get to a proper one, the initial questions I asked are linked to at the end. I used Fritzing to make up some schematics of my initial thoughts, but at the ...
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votes
1answer
89 views
How to ANDed bitwise in assembler?
Say I have a variable set to 30. In binary, 30 = 11110. I'd like to test some bits and then perform an action. For example, if bit 4 is set AND bit 3 is set AND bit 2 is set AND bit 1 is set THEN ...
11
votes
3answers
470 views
How does the Harvard architecture help?
I was reading about arduino and the AVR architecture and got stuck at the point that how does pipeline stall or bubbling is solved by Harvard architecture introduction in the AVR.I mean what Harvard ...
2
votes
1answer
151 views
Electrical Engineering vs Computer Engineering? [closed]
I am trying to decide whether to major in EE or CE. To my knowledge, computer engineering has the same core focus as electrical engineering but with an emphasis on digital logic and microprocessors. ...
14
votes
2answers
492 views
Microcontrollers/microprocessors and different bit versions, what's the difference?
As a general engineering hobbyist, I am learning more about the world of microcontrollers each and every day. Once thing I don't quite understand though is the significance of the bit version of a ...
3
votes
1answer
83 views
How is it possible to create wires/circuits that are nanometer in size?
This image from wikipedia shows -
An array of 17 purpose-built oxygen-depleted titanium dioxide
memristors built at HP Labs, imaged by an atomic force microscope. The
wires are about 50 nm, ...
4
votes
3answers
2k views
Map processor to circuit diagram
I am a software developer (using high level languages like .NET,C,C++ etc) trying to understand how computers work at a lower level.
I am familar with this diagram:
I am trying to gain a high ...
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vote
4answers
259 views
Microcontroller with rotary encoder and bluetooth capabilities [closed]
I am looking for advice on (what to use/how to make) a rotary encoder that I can connect to through bluetooth. I am writing an app that needs to display on screen in real time to the user the number ...
2
votes
2answers
201 views
Using a multimeter to measure the current of a microprocessor
OK. I'm pretty sure my inexperience is going to show here. I had the task of finding out how much current a microprocessor was drawing. I was going to measure, with a multimeter, between the point ...
0
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0answers
93 views
Stalling in MIPS datapath with pipeline
How many stalls do I need to execute the following instructions properly. I am a little confused with what I did, so I am here to see experts answers.
lw $1,0($2);
beq $1,$2,Label;
Note that the ...
0
votes
2answers
311 views
Stalling and Flushing in MIPS Piplining
I am learning MIPS data path with piplining and I am a little confused in the following two things?
How do we perform Stall in MIPS data path?
What is the difference between Stall and Flush?
Here ...
2
votes
1answer
219 views
What are the little brown things on the back of a Pentium 4?
The other day, I removed a Pentium 4 from an old PC that I was dismantling. I was intrigued by the little brown components on its backside (sorry about the picture quality):
A closeup:
Here, ...
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votes
4answers
237 views
How can we say an Intel i7 processor is a microprocessor? [closed]
How can we say an Intel i7 processor is a microprocessor? It has got:
internal cache memory
RAM
BIOS memory
ROM.
Only thing left would be I/O pins. If it has got that too, how come that is a ...
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votes
1answer
366 views
Make a small computer using Intel chips [closed]
Is it possible to make a small computer from scratch using Intel processors? I am not talking about any advanced version like i7 or anything. Just 80236 or any old processor like that.
4
votes
2answers
168 views
Electrical current's role in a processor?
I am curious of what role electrical current plays in a processor. When I asked this back in school a couple years ago, my teacher only replied that the processor executes instructions in response to ...
6
votes
4answers
218 views
Time of flight difference in hardware
I have an ultrasonic emitter, and two ultrasonic receivers. When the emitter emits a pulse, the receivers get the signal at different times. I am only interested in the difference between the two ...
2
votes
6answers
1k views
Can an old pentium III processor still be useful?
I have an old PC around the house, and i have no use for it at the moment. I was thinking (in the good old DIY (AKA Destroy It Yourself XD)) about scavaging the computer for whatever parts i could ...
0
votes
2answers
158 views
What determines the number of bits for the address field in a cache memory?
I understand a cache memory is constructed for a basic block like this
Valid bit | Address bits | Data/Instruction
But what determines the length of the address bits? I understand that for a 32-bit ...
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votes
2answers
58 views
The modification of Instruction set [closed]
Recently I came to know that x86 instruction set can be regarded as obsolete. It should have been out of order a decade ago. Instead of being helpful, it can be called as burden. The only advantage of ...
3
votes
2answers
142 views
Difference between 2-way and 4-way caches?
I don't fully understand this picture:
If the data and instruction caches are separated, doesn't that mean that this CPU is not von Neumann model but Harvard model?
And what does it mean that one ...
1
vote
2answers
457 views
Microcontroller to process HDMI frames
I am looking for a microcontroller to process 1 HDMI input, manipulate the frame, and output to 1 HDMI output. What can I use?
