The difference between microprocessors, processors and microcontrollers

Is FPGA the CPU of a computer? If not, what's the difference? Also, I'm confused with the terms... microprocessors, processors and microcontroller.... could someone give me some pointers here?

Thanks

Re: hi

FPGA is not the CPU of a computer.

there is no point in lecturing everything on these topic in this page.so check out the following links.

FPGA - its an interconnecting device
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FPGA

CPU - thats a component inside the computer which does the processing
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPU

microprocessor and processor,both are the same
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microprocessor

microcontroller is differnet from a processor.It has most of the peripherals in itself unlike a processor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcontroller

Re: hi

u should learn some basic things about microprocessors & controllers,those cant be taught here but u can refer books like microcontroller by Ayela or by Mazidi....
Also have look on microprocessor by R.M.Goankar.......
To know abt FPGA you should learn first abovesaid things.CPU is the central processing unit of the computer which does all the job it it.
for more details just search on the net.

regards
shraddha

Re: hi

I have researched about the topic in books and on web. I believe I have learnt more, but l still need some help to clarify the concept:

CPU is a processor that execute instructions defined by a particular ISA.

FPGA is a programmable processor, that can implement any digital functions/procedures.

Is it true to draw the conclusion that: FPGA can be programmed to be used as a CPU? Say, using a lookup table for decoding the OPCODE, and then perform operations?

I know it sounds like "cutting cheese with a saw", but I would like to know if it is logically possible? Since FPGA is "programmable processor", and the CPU is "a type of processor", hence the "a type of processor" should be able to be programmabled by the "programmable processor", right? Please explain this a little bit...

R

Re: hi

You can program the FPGA to behave like a processor ... Opcodes given as binary numbers can be defined to your own instruction viz add ,sub,.... you can try implementing the same architecture(processors or controllers ) in FPGA but the speed of the processor is less (hundreds of Mhz) when you implement it in FPGA...

Re: hi

Yeah, agree to you Barath,

OR:

CPU=Microprocessor=CISC

MPU=Microcontroller=RISC

FPGA=PLD

Re: hi

rrrrr12345 said:

Is it true to draw the conclusion that: FPGA can be programmed to be used as a CPU? Say, using a lookup table for decoding the OPCODE, and then perform operations?

Click to expand...

The FPGA is not a processor. It is an array of digital logic. You need to build the processor-on-an-FPGA with digital logic, just as you would with non-FPGA processor designs.

The "behavioral" code used with Verilog and VHDL is very deceptive in this regard. When coding for an FPGA, the "if" construction is not a test-followed-by-action. In VHDL, the "if" test can designate a clock event. If so, the only "actions" available are updates to register outputs (as a reaction to the clock event). If not, then the "if" condition is a condition-that-selects(via logic)-the-desired-outputs.

It might be noted that Xilinx literature calls the programming step "configuration". In other words, you are configuring (rewiring) the logic, as opposed to storing executable programs.

Re: hi

Thanks, you guys have helped me.

Added after 1 minutes:

In the light of these:

CPU=Microprocessor=CISC

MPU=Microcontroller=RISC

Can you tell me any exceptions?

hi

microcontroller need not be only RISc.
there are micros with CISC architecture.

hi

I want to know about FPGA in details.

Re: hi

mizan_eee said:

I want to know about FPGA in details.

Click to expand...

You could try doing what is being suggested in the replies above.