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 or a few tightly integrated metal–oxide–semiconductor integrated circuit chips.[2][3] In the past, processors were constructed using multiple individual vacuum tubes,[4][5] multiple individual transistors,[6] or multiple integrated circuits.

The term is frequently used to refer to the central processing unit (CPU), the main processor in a system.[7] However, it can also refer to other coprocessors, such as a graphics processing unit (GPU).[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] diamond,[11] and alloys made of elements from groups three and five of the periodic table.[12] Transistors made of a single sheet of silicon atoms one atom tall and other 2D materials have been researched for use in processors.[13] Quantum processors have been created; they use quantum superposition to represent bits (called qubits) instead of only an on or off state.[14][15]

  1. ^ "Oxford English Dictionary". Lexico. Archived from the original on March 25, 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  2. ^ "Reading: The Central Processing Unit | Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts". courses.lumenlearning.com. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
  3. ^ "The Silicon Engine".
  4. ^ Garner, Robert; Dill, Frederick (Rick) (Winter 2010). "The Legendary IBM 1401 Data Processing System" (PDF). IEEE Solid-State Circuits Magazine. 2 (1): 28–39. doi:10.1109/MSSC.2009.935295. S2CID 31608817.
  5. ^ "IBM100 - The IBM 700 Series". www-03.ibm.com. 2012-03-07. Archived from the original on April 3, 2012. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
  6. ^ "Megaprocessor". www.megaprocessor.com. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
  7. ^ "Oxford English Dictionary". Lexico. Archived from the original on March 25, 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  8. ^ Sakdhnagool, Putt (4 September 2018). "Comparative analysis of coprocessors". Concurrency and Computation Practice and Experience. 31 (1). doi:10.1002/cpe.4756. S2CID 54473111 – via Wiley Online Library.
  9. ^ 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. Bibcode:2019Natur.572..595H. doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1493-8. ISSN 0028-0836. PMID 31462796. S2CID 201658375.
  10. ^ 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. Bibcode:2019Natur.573..507A. doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1573-9. ISSN 0028-0836. PMID 31554977. S2CID 202762945.
  11. ^ "Using artificial intelligence to engineer materials' properties". 11 February 2019.
  12. ^ 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. hdl:1721.1/99977. ISSN 0883-7694. S2CID 138353703.
  13. ^ 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. Bibcode:2019Natur.567..169L. doi:10.1038/d41586-019-00793-8. ISSN 0028-0836. PMID 30862924. S2CID 75136648.
  14. ^ "quantum computer | Description & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
  15. ^ "Experimental Implementation of Fast Quantum Searching" (PDF).