from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Micro- \Mi"cro-\, Micr- \Mi"cr-\ . [Gr. mikro`s small.]
A combining form signifying:
(a) Small, little, trivial, slight; as, microcosm,
microscope.
(b) (Metric System, Elec., Mech., etc.) A millionth part of;
as, microfarad, microohm, micrometer.
[1913 Webster]
from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
microprocessor
micro
<architecture> (Or "micro") A computer whose entire {CPU} is
contained on one (or a small number of) {integrated circuits}.
The important characteristics of a microprocessor are the
widths of its internal and external {address bus} and {data
bus} (and instruction), its {clock rate} and its {instruction
set}. Processors are also often classified as either {RISC}
or {CISC}.
The first commercial microprocessor was the {Intel 4004} which
appeared in 1971. This was the CPU member of a set of four
{LSI} {integrated circuits} called the MCS-4, which was
originally designed for use in a calculator but was marketed
as "programmable controller for logic replacement". The 4004
is referred to as a 4-bit microprocessor since it processed
only 4 bits of data at a time. This very short word size is
due mainly to the limitations imposed by the maximum
integrated circuit density then achievable.
As integrated circuit densities increased with the rapid
development of integrated circuit manufacturing technology,
the power and performance of the microprocessors also
increased. This is reflected in the increase in the CPU word
size to 4, 8, 16, and by mid-1980s, 32 bits. The smaller
microprocessors have relatively simple {instruction sets},
e.g., no {floating point} instructions, but they are
nevertheless suitable as controllers for a very wide range of
applications such as car engines and microwave ovens.
The {Intel 4004} was followed with, among others the {4040},
{8008}, {8080}, {8086}, {80186}, {80286}, {80386}, {486} and
{Pentium}. Other families include the {Motorola} {6800} and
{680x0} families, {National Semiconductor 16000} and {National
Semiconductor 32000}, {SPARC}, {ARM}, {MIPS}, {Zilog Z8000},
{PowerPC} and the {Inmos} {Transputer} family.
The larger, more recent microprocessors families have
gradually acquired most of the features of large computers.
As the microprocessor industry has matured, several families
of microprocessors have evolved into de facto industrial
standards with multiple manufacturers and numerous "support"
chips including {RAM}, {ROM}, {I/O controllers} etc.
A single chip microprocessor may include other components such
as memory ({RAM}, {ROM}, {PROM}), {memory management},
{caches}, {floating-point unit}, input/output ports and
timers. Such devices are also known as {microcontrollers}.
The one-chip microcomputer is in many respects, a landmark
development in computer technology because it reduces the
computer to a small, inexpensive, and easily replaceable
design component.
Microcomputers have given rise to a new class of
general-purpose machines called {personal computers}. These
are small low cost computers that are designed to sit on an
ordinary office desk or to be portable and fuelled the
computer boom of the late 1980s. The most widespread example
is the also {IBM PC}, based on microprocessors from {Intel
Corporation}. {Apple Computers, Inc.} have also produced a
range of personal computers, as have several other companies.
See also {killer micro}, {minicomputer}, {CPU Info Center}.
(2002-07-16)
from
U.S. Gazetteer (1990)
Micro, NC (town, FIPS 42620)
Location: 35.56264 N, 78.20416 W
Population (1990): 417 (193 housing units)
Area: 1.0 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
from
U.S. Gazetteer Places (2000)
Micro, NC -- U.S. town in North Carolina
Population (2000): 454
Housing Units (2000): 225
Land area (2000): 0.407229 sq. miles (1.054718 sq. km)
Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km)
Total area (2000): 0.407229 sq. miles (1.054718 sq. km)
FIPS code: 42620
Located within: North Carolina (NC), FIPS 37
Location: 35.562802 N, 78.203882 W
ZIP Codes (1990):
Note: some ZIP codes may be omitted esp. for suburbs.
Headwords:
Micro, NC
Micro