JAN MARIE VEATRICE M.

PACIA 4-ECE
WHAT ARE CISC AND RISC ARCHITECTURE? HOW DO THEY DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER?
The simplest way to examine the advantages and disadvantages of RISC architecture is by contrasting
it with its predecessor: CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computers) architecture.
Multiplying Two Numbers in Memory
On the right is a diagram representing the storage scheme for a generic computer. The main memory is
divided into locations numbered from (row) 1: (column) 1 to (row) 6: (column) 4. The execution unit is
responsible for carrying out all computations. However, the execution unit can only operate on data that has
been loaded into one of the six registers (A, B, C, D, E, or F). Let's say we want to find the product of two
numbers - one stored in location 2:3 and another stored in location 5:2 - and
then store the product back in the location 2:3.
The CISC Approach
The primary goal of CISC architecture is to complete a task in as few
lines of assembly as possible. This is achieved by building processor
hardware that is capable of understanding and executing a series of
operations. For this particular task, a CISC processor would come prepared
with a specific instruction (we'll call it "MULT"). When executed, this
instruction loads the two values into separate registers, multiplies the operands in the execution unit, and then
stores the product in the appropriate register. Thus, the entire task of multiplying two numbers can be
completed with one instruction:
MULT 2:3, 5:2
MULT is what is known as a "complex instruction." It operates directly on the computer's memory banks
and does not require the programmer to explicitly call any loading or storing functions. It closely resembles a
command in a higher level language. For instance, if we let "a" represent the value of 2:3 and "b" represent the
value of 5:2, then this command is identical to the C statement "a = a * b."
One of the primary advantages of this system is that the compiler has to do very little work to translate
a high-level language statement into assembly. Because the length of the code is relatively short, very little
RAM is required to store instructions. The emphasis is put on building complex instructions directly into the
hardware.
The RISC Approach
RISC processors only use simple instructions that can be executed within one clock cycle. Thus, the
"MULT" command described above could be divided into three separate commands: "LOAD," which moves

data from the memory bank to a register, "PROD," which finds the product of two operands located within the
registers, and "STORE," which moves data from a register to the memory banks. In order to perform the exact
series of steps described in the CISC approach, a programmer would need to code four lines of assembly:
LOAD A, 2:3
LOAD B, 5:2
PROD A, B
STORE 2:3, A
At first, this may seem like a much less efficient way of completing the operation. Because there are
more lines of code, more RAM is needed to store the assembly level instructions. The compiler must also
perform more work to convert a high-level language statement into code of this form.
CISC

RISC

Emphasis on hardware
Includes

Emphasis on software
multi-clock Single-clock,

complex instructions
Memory-to-memory:
"LOAD"

reduced instruction only

Register
and

"STORE" "LOAD"

incorporated in instructions
Small
code
high cycles per second
Transistors
used

to

register:

and

"STORE"

are independent instructions

sizes, Low
cycles
for

large code sizes

storing Spends

more

per

second,
transistors

complex instructions
on memory registers
Separating the "LOAD" and "STORE" instructions actually reduces the amount of work that the computer must
perform. After a CISC-style "MULT" command is executed, the processor automatically erases the registers. If
one of the operands needs to be used for another computation, the processor must re-load the data from the
memory bank into a register. In RISC, the operand will remain in the register until another value is loaded in its
place.

But the general differences are:

CISC - larger, more feature-rich instruction set (more operations, addressing modes, etc.). Slower clock
speeds. Fewer general purposes register. Examples: x86 variants
RISC - smaller, simpler instruction set. Faster clock speeds. More general purpose registers. Examples:
MIPS, Itanium, PowerPC.

Practical implications:
An equivalent program implemented in CISC will most likely be shorter than a program implemented in

RISC (because RISC combines multiple simple instructions to replicate the complex instructions provided by
CISC).
RISC CPUs generally run at faster clock speeds than CISC because max clock period is dictated by the
slowest step of the pipeline (more complex instructions are slower).

Difference between CISC and RISC Architecture

CISC [Complex instruction set Computing]
1. Very large instruction sets reaching up to and above three hundred seperate instructions.
2. Performance was improved by allowing the simplification of program compilers, as the range of more
advanced instructions available led to less refinements having to be made at the compilation process.
However, the complexity of the processor hardware and architecture that resulted can cause such chips to be
difficult to understand and program for, and also means they can be expensive to produce.
3. More specialized addressing modes and registers also being implemented, with variable length instruction
codes.
4. Instruction pipelining can not be implemented easily.
5. Many complex instructions can access memory, such as direct addition between data in two memory
locations.
6. Mainly used in normal PCs, Workstations and servers .
7. CISC systems shorten execution time by reducing the
number of instructions per program.
8. Examples of CISC Processors: Intel x86.
RISC [Reduced instruction set Computing]
1. Small set of instructions.
2. Simplified and reduced instruction set, numbering one hundred instructions or less. because of simple
instructions, RISC chips requires fewer transistors to produce processors. Also the reduced instruction set
means that the processor can execute the instructions more quickly, potentially allowing for greater speeds.
However, only allowing such simple instructions means a greater burden is placed upon the software itself.
Less instructions in the instruction set means a greater emphasis on the efficient writing of software with the
instructions that are available.
3. Addressing modes are simplified back to four or less, and the length of the codes is fixed in order to allow
standardization across the instruction set.
4. Instruction pipelining can be implemented easily.
5. Only LOAD/STORE instructions can access memory.
6. Mainly used for real time applications.

7. RISC systems shorten execution time by reducing the clock

cycles per instruction (i.e. simple instructions take less time
to interpret).
8. Examples of RISC Processors: Atmel AVR, PIC, ARM.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MICROPROCESSOR AND MICROCONTROLLERS?

The term microprocessor and microcontroller have always been confused with each other. Both of them
have been designed for real time application. They share many common features and at the same time they
have significant differences. Both the ICs i.e., the microprocessor and microcontroller cannot be distinguished
by looking at them. They are available in different version starting from 6 pin to as high as 80 to 100 pins or
even higher depending on the features.
Difference between Microprocessor and Microcontroller
MICROPROCESSOR

MICRO CONTROLLER

Microprocessor is heart of Computer system.

It is just a processor. Memory and I/O components

Micro Controller is a heart of embedded system.

Micro controller has external processor along with internal

have to be connected externally

Since memory and I/O has to be connected

memory and i/O components

Since memory and I/O are present internally, the circuit is

externally, the circuit becomes large.

Cannot be used in compact systems and hence

small.
Can be used in compact systems and hence it is an

inefficient
Cost of the entire system increases
Due to external components, the entire power

efficient technique
Cost of the entire system is low
Since external components

consumption is high. Hence it is not suitable to used

consumption is less and can be used with devices running

with devices running on stored power like batteries.

Most of the microprocessors do not have power

on stored power like batteries.

Most of the micro controllers have power saving modes

saving features.

like idle mode and power saving mode. This helps to

Since memory and I/O components are all external,

reduce power consumption even further.

Since components are internal, most of the operations are

each instruction will need external operation, hence

internal instruction, hence speed is fast.

it is relatively slower.
Microprocessor have less number of registers,

Micro controller have more number of registers, hence the

hence more operations are memory based.

Microprocessors are based on von Neumann

programs are easier to write.

Micro controllers are based on Harvard architecture where

are

low,

total

power

model/architecture where program and data are

program memory and Data memory are separate

stored in same memory module

Mainly used in personal computers
Used mainly in washing machine, MP3 players
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF MICROPROCESSOR?
Microprocessors
Microprocessor is an important part of the computer. Without it the computer is totally useless. It is a
chip that has all the functions of the CPU of a computer. The micro processor has the following functions of
data storage, interaction with other peripheral devices and other time related functions. The Micro processor is
the CPU (central processing unit) itself which has undergone marvelous changes since its invention. Its role is
to send and receive data and make the computer function well. Commands need to be given for this chip to
function that is already fed inside the device in the form of current variations.
The brain or engine of the PC is the processor (sometimes called microprocessor), or central
processing unit (CPU). The CPU performs the system's calculating and processing. The processor is easily the
most expensive single component in the system, costing up to four or more times greater than the
motherboard it plugs into. Intel is generally credited with creating the first microprocessor in 1971 with the
introduction of a chip called the 4004.
Types of microprocessor:
Complex Instruction Set Microprocessors: They are also called as CISM in short and they categorize a
microprocessor in which orders can be executed together along with other low level activities.

It mainly

performs the task of uploading, downloading and recalling data into and from the memory card. Apart from that
it also does complex mathematical calculations within a single command.
Reduced Instruction Set Microprocessor: This processor is also called as RISC. These kinds of chips are
made according to the function in which the microprocessor can carry out small things within a particular
command. In this way it completes more commands at a faster rate.
Superscalar Processors: This is a processor that copies the hardware on the microprocessor for performing
numerous tasks at a time. They can be used for arithmetic and as multipliers. They have several operational
units and thus carry out more than a one command by constantly transmitting various instructions to the
superfluous operational units inside the processor.
The Application Specific Integrated Circuit: This processor is also known as ASIC. They are used for
specific purposes that comprises of automotive emissions control or personal digital assistants computer. This
kind of processor is made with proper specification but apart from that it can also be made using the off the
shelf gears.
Digital Signal Multiprocessors: Also called as DSPs, these are used for encoding and decoding videos or to
convert the digital and video to analog and analog to digital. They need a microprocessor that is excellent in

mathematical calculations. The chips of this processor are employed in SONAR, RADAR, home theaters audio
gears, Mobile phones and TV set top boxes.