How the processor works [Homework]

A processor consists of many different electronics circuits and devices for performing control functions, arithmetic and logic operations, and data transfers. Data may be transferred from backing storage to the internal memory or from internal memory to the arithmetic unit by means of conductive channels known as buses. The part of the processor which controls data transfers between the various input and output devices is called the control unit.

ROM - memory known as "firmware" used for storing part of the operating system and application software; cannot be rewritten.

RAM - used for temporary storage of application programms and data.

Clock - an electronic circuit, that generates electronic pulses at fixed time intervals to controll the timing of all operations in the processor.

Data bus - group of signal lines used to transmit data in parallel from one element of computer to another.

Address bus - used to send address details between the memory and the address register

Control bus - a group of signal lines dedicated to the passing of control signals

Accumulators - used to store numeric data during processing

Registers - group of bistable devices used to store information in a computer system for high-speed access

Microprocessor Chip - consists of an arithmetic-logic unit, one or more working registers to store data being processed, and accumulators for storing the result of calculations.