Short for control unit, it is a typical component of the CPU that implements the microprocessor instruction set. It extracts instructions from memory and decodes and executes them, and sends the necessary signals to the ALU to perform the operation needed. Control Units are either hardwired (instruction register is hardwired to rest of the microprocessor) or micro-programmed.
ADVERTISER DISCLOSURE: SOME OF THE PRODUCTS THAT APPEAR ON THIS SITE ARE FROM COMPANIES FROM WHICH TECHNOLOGYADVICE RECEIVES COMPENSATION. THIS COMPENSATION MAY IMPACT HOW AND WHERE PRODUCTS APPEAR ON THIS SITE INCLUDING, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY APPEAR. TECHNOLOGYADVICE DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL COMPANIES OR ALL TYPES OF PRODUCTS AVAILABLE IN THE MARKETPLACE.