Lecture 6

History of Computers and Types of Computers

 Group Assignment 1

1. Discuss Generation of Computers (First Generation- The sixth Generation

2. Discuss the evolution of Intel Microprocessors by group
a) 1970’s group
b) 1980’s group
c) 1990’s group
d) 2000’s (recent group)
Your answer should highlight
i. Year introduced
ii. Clock speeds
iii. Bus width size
iv. Number of transistors
v. Feature(size of chip)
vi. Size of Addressable memory
vii. Size of Virtual memory
viii. Size of Cache
ix. Number of cores
What is a microprocessor?
• A microprocessor is a programmable electronics chip that has computing and
decision making capabilities similar to central processing unit of a computer.
• Microprocessor is an integrated circuit that stores and manipulates
information as dictated by a set of instructions.
• A device that integrates a number of useful functions into a single IC package
• The microprocessor is general-purpose device and additional external
circuitry is added to make it microcomputer.
• For example, Intel 8085 is 8-bit microprocessor and Intel 8086/8088 is 16-bit
microprocessor
Corei7 is it 8bit,
16bit, 32bit, 64bit,
128bit?
Functions of a Microprocessor
• Functions of a microprocessor
• Ability to execute a stored set of instructions to carry out user defined tasks.
• Ability to access external memory chips to read/write data from/to memory.
• Ability to interface with I/O devices
• In micro-computers, one or more microprocessors serve as the
central processing unit (CPU), whereas microcontrollers coordinate all
the functions of digital control devices.
Performance of a microprocessor.
• The performance of microprocessors is determined by:
• Bandwidth (number of bits processed in a single instruction),
• Instruction set (set of instructions that can be executed) and
• Clock speed (number of executed-instructions per second)
General Purpose microprocessor
What is a microcontroller?

• Basically, a device which integrates a number of the components of a

microprocessor system onto a single chip. Only need to be supplied
power and clocking
• For example, Intel 8051 is 8-bit microcontroller and Intel 8096 is 16-
bit microcontroller. Motorola uses basic 6800 microprocessor core in
M68HC11 microcontroller devices
Components of a microcontroller
• The CPU core
• I/O (input/output)
• Memory (PROM/EPROM/EEPROM/Flash memory /
Variable RAM memory )
• Bus: Address bus, Data bus and control bus
• Timer
• Interrupt
• Serial Port
• Parallel Port
Most microcontrollers will also combine other devices such as:

• A Timer module to allow the microcontroller to perform tasks for certain

time periods.
• Serial I/O (UART) for data flow between microcontroller and devices such as
a PC or other microcontroller.
• Analog input and output (e.g., to receive data from sensors or control
motors)
• Interrupt capability (from a variety of sources)
• Bus/external memory interfaces (for RAM or ROM)
• Built-in monitor/debugger program
• Support for external peripherals (e.g., I/O and bus extenders)
Generation of Computers
• First Generation: Vacuum Tubes
• The Second Generation: Transistors
• The Third Generation: Integrated Circuits - Small-and medium-scale
integration
• The Fourth Generation: Integrated Circuits -Large scale integration
• The Fifth Generation: Integrated Circuits -Very large scale integration
• The Sixth Generation: Integrated Circuits - Ultra large scale
integration
Evolution of Intel Microprocessors
• 1970’s processors : 4004, 8008, 8080, 8086, 8088
• For each of the above processors find
• Year Introduced
• Clock speeds
• Bus width
• Number of transistors
• Feature size ()
• Addressable memory
1980s Processors

• 80286, 386TM, DX 386TM, SX 486TM DX CPU

• For each of the above processors find
• Year Introduced
• Clock speeds
• Bus width
• Number of transistors
• Feature size ( μm)
• Addressable memory
• Virtual memory
• Cache
1990s Processors
• 486TM SX, Pentium, Pentium Pro, Pentium II
• For each of the above processors find
• Year Introduced
• Clock speeds
• Bus width
• Number of transistors
• Feature size ( μm)
• Addressable memory
• Virtual memory
• Cache
Recent Processors
• Pentium III, Pentium 4, Core 2 Duo, Core i7 EE 4960X
• For each of the above processors find
• Year Introduced
• Clock speeds
• Bus width
• Number of transistors
• Feature size (nm)
• Addressable memory
• Virtual memory capacity
• Cache
• Number of cores
Computer Types
• Computers are classified based on the parameters like
• Speed of operation
• Cost
• Computational power
• Type of application
Categories of Computers
• Microcomputers - A small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor
• Workstation -A powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a
personal computer, but it has a more powerful microprocessor and, in
general, a higher-quality monitor.
• Minicomputer: A multi-user computer capable of supporting up to
hundreds of users simultaneously.
• Mainframe: A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many
hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously.
• Supercomputer: An extremely fast computer that can perform several
hundreds of millions of instructions per second.
Microcomputers Computers
• Desktops
• Laptops
• Notebooks
• Hand Held
• Palmtop
• Personal Digital Advisor (PDA)
Microcomputers
• DESK TOP COMPUTER
• Processing &storage units, visual display &audio uits, keyboards
• Storage media‐Hard disks, CD‐ROMs
• Eg: Personal computers which is used in homes and offices
• Advantage: Cost effective, easy to operate, suitable for general purpose
educational or business application
• NOTEBOOK COMPUTER
• Compact form of personal computer (laptop)
• Advantage is portability
WORK STATIONS

• More computational power than PC

• Costlier
• Used to solve complex problems which arises in engineering
application (graphics, CAD/CAM etc)
ENTERPRISE SYSTEM (MAINFRAME)

• data processing for large volumes of data in large corporations like

financial institutions
• referred as servers
• Supports large volumes of data which frequently need to be accessed or to be
modified
• Supports request response operation
SUPER COMPUTERS

• Faster than mainframes

• Helps in calculating large scale numerical and algorithm calculation in
short span of time
• Used for aircraft design and testing, military application and weather
forecasting