A superscalar processor can execute multiple instructions simultaneously through direct connections to subsystems, making it a midpoint between scalar and vector processors. It is not the same as a multi-core processor.
A superscalar processor is a type of processor that can execute multiple sets of instructions simultaneously. This type of processor contains several subunits that control some basic type of function. While other processors also have these units, a superscalar processor can have information sent directly to these units for processing while the main processor is busy with something else. The superscalar processor is the midpoint of the three main types of processors.
A computer’s central processing unit, also called the CPU or simply processor, does most of the calculations for a computer. Whenever something happens on the machine, the CPU does some work on it before it actually happens. This makes the processor very busy and the time spent with it very valuable. When the CPU has reached its limit, other computer functions are left waiting for the processor to catch up.
Many CPUs consist of a main processor and several smaller areas. The main processor does most of the calculations for the computer system. Other systems, such as the arithmetic logic unit, have very specific functions and are used less than the main processor. In the case of the arithmetic logic unit, it performs low-level math functions for the computer.
At this point, computer processors fall into three broad categories: scalar, superscalar, and vector. A scalar system is the type of processor most users are familiar with. This processor accepts one command at a time and executes them sequentially or in order of priority. These processors make up the majority of home and business computers.
Vector processors accept multiple commands simultaneously through an array system. A series of commands arrive simultaneously within the main processor core. These commands are treated by the processor as individual parts of a larger command and executed simultaneously.
A superscalar processor is the midpoint between these two methods. The main processor is only capable of executing a single command at a time, similar to a scalar processor. On the other hand, there are direct connections to the processor’s subsystems, which is not commonly found in other forms of processor. These connections allow information to feed directly into subsystems where it can execute specific commands and output information separate from the main processor. This allows the processor to work and produce more instructions, like a vector processor.
This should not be confused with a multi-core processor. These systems effectively have more than one entire processor active at the same time. To be a superscalar processor, commands go to subunits, not entire systems. In most cases, a multi-core system is a collection of scalar processors, but it is possible that they are superscalar processors as well.
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