possible while pulling it forward for removal.” Thisaction ensures that none of the internal wires, cables, orconnectors are accidentally pulled loose and avoidspossible damage to the components already installedinside the system unit.So that you will have a better understanding andappreciation for this microcomputer, we will take acloser look at microprocessor chips and see how theydiffer from one another. We will also examine what allthis means to you from a communications specialist’sstandpoint.Microprocessor ChipsAll microcomputer systems are driven by one ormore microprocessor chips. A microprocessor chip ismade up of thousands of integrated circuits that containall of the essential elements of a central processing unit(figure 1-10). These include the control logic,instruction decoding, and arithmetic-processingcircuitry.To be useful, the microprocessor chip (which is nobigger than your fingernail) must be mounted onto whatis called a carrier package (figure 1-11). This carrierpackage along with other chips-memory chips (RAMand ROM) and I/O integrated circuit chips—areplugged into specific socket locations on a circuitboard called the system board or the motherboard(figure 1-12).Figure 1-10.—A typical microprocessor computer chip.Figure 1-11.—A microprocessor being mounted onto thecarrier package.Of all the boards in the microcomputer, the systemboard is the most important. But what are the functionsof the microprocessor chip? Are all microprocessorchips designed to perform the same functions?Basically, yes; but there are some significantdifferences in how they perform their functions. Youshould be aware of these differences, especially if youwill be working with several different types of micros.A chip, is a chip, is a chip, OR IS IT? Computerchips, like everything else in data processing, havesome rather unique and unusual names; names likeZilog Z-80A, Intel 80C88, MOS Technology 6502,Motorola 68000, and so on. Some chip names containletters and numbers.Others contain only numbers.Having the right microprocessor chip in your computerFigure 1-12.—The system/motherboard showing placement ofthe microprocessor, RAM, ROM, and integrated circuitchip.1-13
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