Module 3 : Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)

Lecture 1 : Introduction to Micro-processors and Micro-controllers

1. ALU : ALU stands for Arithmetical Logical Unit. As name indicates it has two parts:

    1. Arithmetical unit which is responsible for mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division,

    2. Logical unit which is dedicated to take logical decisions like greater than, less than, equal to, not equal to etc. (Basically AND/OR/NOT Operations)

2. Register Array : Registers are small storage devices that are available to CPU or processors. They act as temporary storage for processing of intermediate data by mathematical or logical operations.

3. Control: This part of CPU is dedicated to coordinate data flow and signal flow through various types of buses i.e. Data Bus, Control Bus, and Address Bus etc. It directs data flow between CPU and storage and I/O devices.

4. Memory: There are two different types of memory segments being used by the CPU. First is the ROM which stands for Read Only Memory while other is R/W which stands for Read and Write Memory or Random Access Memory (RAM).

    1. ROM: From this memory unit, CPU can only read the stored data. No writing operations can be done in this part of memory. Thus it is used to store the programs that need no alteration or changes like Monitor Program or Keyboard driver etc.

    2. R/W: As name indicates it is opposite to ROM and used for both reading and writing operations. In general User's program and instruction are stored in this segment of memory unit.

5. Input Devices: Input devices are used to enter input data to microprocessor from Keyboard or from ADC which receives data from sensors/signal conditioning systems.

6. Output Devices: These devices display the results/conclusions coming out from ALUs either in soft copy (Monitor) or in Hard Copy (Printer).