Processor (computing)
In computing, a processor or processing unit is a digital circuit which performs operations on some 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, multiple individual transistors, or multiple integrated circuits.
The term is frequently used to refer to the central processing unit in a system.[2] However, it can also refer to other co-processors.[3]
Traditional processors are typically based on silicon, however, researchers have developed experimental processors based on alternative materials such as carbon nanotubes,[4] graphene,[5] and alloys made of elements from groups three and five of the periodic table.[6] Further, transistors made out of a single sheet of silicon atoms one atom tall and other 2D materials have been researched for use in processors.[7]
Moore's law
The progress of processors has followed Moore's law closely, the theory that the number of transistors in processors will double every two years.
Photonic processors
Photonic processors are based on using light to make computations instead of semiconducting electronics.[8] Processing is done by photodetectors sensing light produced by lasers inside the processor.
Examples
- 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
- Microprocessor
- Multi-core processor
- Superscalar processor
- Hardware acceleration
- Von Neumann architecture
- All pages with titles containing processing unit
References
- ^ "Oxford English Dictionary". Lexico. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- ^ "Oxford English Dictionary". Lexico. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- ^ Sakdhnagool, Putt (4 September 2018). "Comparative analysis of coprocessors". Concurrency and Computation Practice and Experience. 31 (1) – via Wiley Online Library.
- ^ Hills, Gage; Lau, Christian; Wright, Andrew; Fuller, Samuel; Bishop, Mindy D.; Srimani, Tathagata; Kanhaiya, Pritpal; Ho, Rebecca; Amer, Aya; Stein, Yosi; Murphy, Denis (2019-08-29). "Modern microprocessor built from complementary carbon nanotube transistors". Nature. 572 (7771): 595–602. doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1493-8. ISSN 0028-0836.
- ^ Akinwande, Deji; Huyghebaert, Cedric; Wang, Ching-Hua; Serna, Martha I.; Goossens, Stijn; Li, Lain-Jong; Wong, H.-S. Philip; Koppens, Frank H. L. (2019-09-26). "Graphene and two-dimensional materials for silicon technology". Nature. 573 (7775): 507–518. doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1573-9. ISSN 0028-0836.
- ^ Riel, Heike; Wernersson, Lars-Erik; Hong, Minghwei; del Alamo, Jesús A. (August 2014). "III–V compound semiconductor transistors—from planar to nanowire structures". MRS Bulletin. 39 (8): 668–677. doi:10.1557/mrs.2014.137. ISSN 0883-7694.
- ^ Li, Ming-Yang; Su, Sheng-Kai; Wong, H.-S. Philip; Li, Lain-Jong (March 2019). "How 2D semiconductors could extend Moore's law". Nature. 567 (7747): 169–170. doi:10.1038/d41586-019-00793-8. ISSN 0028-0836.
- ^ Sun, Chen; Wade, Mark T.; Lee, Yunsup; Orcutt, Jason S.; Alloatti, Luca; Georgas, Michael S.; Waterman, Andrew S.; Shainline, Jeffrey M.; Avizienis, Rimas R.; Lin, Sen; Moss, Benjamin R. (December 2015). "Single-chip microprocessor that communicates directly using light". Nature. 528 (7583): 534–538. doi:10.1038/nature16454. ISSN 0028-0836.
