The central processing unit acts as the primary execution engine of a computer or embedded system. It fetches instructions from memory, decodes them, and performs the required arithmetic, logical, and control operations. The architecture typically includes an arithmetic logic unit, control circuitry, and high-speed registers to manage the flow of data across the system bus.
The board is drawing too much current because the CPU is stuck in a loop and running at full thermal design power.
When troubleshooting a dead board, technicians often check the CPU clock and reset lines first to see if the chip is even attempting to boot.
Also heard as
- central processing unit
Do not mix it up with
- Microcontroller: A CPU requires external memory and peripherals to function, while a microcontroller integrates the CPU, memory, and I/O onto a single chip.
Related terms
Arithmetic logic unit
The digital circuit block inside a processor that performs integer math and bitwise operations.
Coprocessor
A supplementary processing chip designed to offload specific, mathematically intensive tasks from the main processor.
Microprocessor
An integrated circuit that contains all the functions of a central processing unit.
System bus
A shared communication pathway that links the CPU, memory, and peripherals in a computer.