how transistors become a microprocessor?

Question

So I was wondering how multiple transistors coordinate to become a microprocessor.

In: Technology

Answer 1

Hmm this requires a little bit of digital logic design knowledge, but essentially transistors form logic gates to become active (or on) upon meeting conditions. The main ones are

* AND: If input A “and” input B is on, the answer is true, proceed. If input A is off “and” input B is off, proceed. If input A is on but input B is off (notice there is no “and”), the answer is false, do not proceed (and vice versa)
* OR: If input A is on “or” input be is on, proceed. If not, do not.
* XOR (either or but not both): if input A is on “or” input B is on, the answer is true, proceed. However, if both input A and input B are on, the answer is false, do not proceed. If neither is the case, do not proceed.
* NOT: If the input is “not” on, proceed. If it is, do not proceed.

Essentially you put millions of these gates together to set conditions that together make up a microprocessor. At a basic level you have “switches” that turn on/off lights. At a more complicated level, you have a calculator that changes bits (or 1s and 0s that in a line form binary numbers). At a very complex level you have everything you see in a computer or a smart phone.