ABSTRACT
A microprocessor is a semiconductor die containing the components of a computer’s central processor, complete with instruction processing unit, arithmetic, interrupt electronics and basic communication facilities. Microprocessors are cheap, small, and consume little power. In addition, their performance has increased at a greater rate than the performance of larger computers. Microprocessors are well suited as the controller for tasks because of their cost and flexibility. Sufficient numbers of processors may be used to allow real-time data acquisition. The microprocessor is not being used for intensive computations, or for controlling a complex process, but rather to collect data, perform some processing, and then pass the results on to a central collector. Microprocessors are ubiquitous in control applications. While some custom analog controllers are built, the advantages of cost and flexibility inherent in microprocessors make them a natural choice.
