Processor (computing) - Wikipedia

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This article is about the computer hardware. For software and systems uses, see Processor § Computing.

In computing and Computer science, a processor or processing unit is an electrical component (digital circuit) that performs operations on an external data source, usually memory or some other data stream.^[1] It typically takes the form of a microprocessor, which can be implemented on a single metal–oxide–semiconductor integrated circuit chip. In the past, processors were constructed using multiple individual vacuum tubes,^[2][3] multiple individual transistors,^[4] or multiple integrated circuits. Today, processors use built-in transistors.^[5][6]

The term is frequently used to refer to the central processing unit in a system.^[7] However, it can also refer to other co-processors.^[8]

Traditional processors are typically based on silicon, however, researchers have developed experimental processors based on alternative materials such as carbon nanotubes,^[9] graphene,^[10] and alloys made of elements from groups three and five of the periodic table.^[11] Transistors made of a single sheet of silicon atoms one atom tall and other 2D materials have been researched for use in processors.^[12] Quantum processors have been created, which uses quantum superposition to represent bits (called qubits) instead of an on or off state.^[13][14]

Moore's law[edit]

Moore's law, named after Gordon Moore, is the observation and projection via historical trend that the number of transistors in integrated circuits, and therefore processors by extension, double every two years.^[15] The progress of processors has followed Moore's law closely.^[16]

Photonic processors[edit]

Photonic processors use light to make computations instead of semiconducting electronics.^[17] Processing is done by photodetectors sensing light produced by lasers inside the processor.^[18]

Examples[edit]

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
  • If designed conforming to the von Neumann architecture, it contains at least a control unit (CU), arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and processor registers.
• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
• Sound chips and sound cards
• Vision Processing Unit (VPU)
• Tensor Processing Unit (TPU)
• Neural Processing Unit (NPU)
• Physics Processing Unit (PPU)
• Digital Signal Processor (DSP)
• Image Signal Processor (ISP)
• Synergistic Processing Element or Unit (SPE or SPU) in the cell microprocessor
• Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)
• Quantum Processing Unit (QPU)

See also[edit]

• Microprocessor
• Multi-core processor
• Superscalar processor
• Hardware acceleration
• Von Neumann architecture
• All pages with titles containing processing unit

References[edit]