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Engineering and the Advancement of Human Welfare 10 Outstanding Achievements 1964-1989 (1989) / Chapter Skim
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Microprocessor
Pages 14-17

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From page 14...
... A microprocessor, however, plays the set of instructions retrieved from a memory chip, performing simple functions such as addition or subtraction programmed into the instructions. Microprocessor and memory chips alike rely on microscopic integrated circuits to perform their tasks.
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From page 15...
... Microprocessor chips in a variety of sizes provide the delicate control that improves the efficiency of power plants, cars, and heating and cooling systems in buildings, which translates into lower operating costs and less pollution. They are also widely used in the cockpits of advanced commercial airliners to control navigation and other avionics systems, thereby improving the efficiency of aircraft and crew.
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From page 16...
... It was, however, the fourth generationmostly the powerful 16-bit microprocessorsthat convinced the traditional computer industry that microcomputers based on these chips were powerful enough for more than home video games. And in 1981 the mainframe-computer industry began marketing microcomputers for such computational tasks as graphics, desktop publishing, managing large data bases, and computeraided design in business and industry.
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From page 17...
... Microcomputers, for example, will certainly be more adept at human talents, such as understanding spoken words, speaking, or even learning and reasoning artificial intelligence. And they will be able to process incredible amounts of data at lightning speeds.
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  • fourth generationmostly
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  • complementary metaloxide

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  • application programs
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  • microcomputers produced


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