Features are any capability added to the basic functionality of a microprocessor which gives it an advantage over other processors.

It can refer to a specialisation such as microcontrollers (Specialised processors to control machinery) or ability which allow it to process more efficiently (like onboard caches, FPU's etc). Some features which have been included on past and present day processors are;

Multitasking support
Virtual memory support
GPIO (General purpose IO pins)
PIT (Programmable interval timer)
TPU (Time processing unit)
Multiple cores
Pipelined hardware processing
Turbo Boost (Intel)
Onboard memory cache
AES-NI Encryption/Decryption Acceleration
Integrated memory controller
Hyperthreading
Virtual processes handling
Branch prediction

Multitasking Support

Some Processors feature instructions which make multitasking more efficient.(See HT below)

GPIO

General Purpose IO. These are connections to the processor which may either be software configured as an input or an output. This allows some processors to sink enough current to drive LED's directly from the CPU. This type of IO is more often found on microprocessors used in control circuits.

PIT

Programmable Interval Timers allow for sophisticated time dependant programming. It can count up and count down, and flag events via the Status indicator which can be tested by the CPU.

TPU

Time Processing Units allow sophisticated event handling based on time and counts.

Turbo Boost

The ability for a processor clock speed to be altered in real-time according to program requirments (automated over/underclocking).

Multiple cores

To get around the heat problems associated with running one processor ever faster, the transputer idea (multiple processors acting together) has been modified to create multiple core processors, each core handling separate threads.

Onboard Cache memory

Ultra high speed memory built into the processor core, which enhances program execution speed.

AES-NI Encryption/Decryption Acceleration

Built in encryption features (Intel i7). To reduce processing overheads when dealing with coded information and secure links.

Integrated memory controller

Processors like the i7 forgoes an external memory controller chip by having one built into the processor core.

HT Technology

Hyperthreading allows multiple processes to be dealt with alternately through rapid process exchange.

Pipelined Hardware

Breaks up processing into two or more steps that can be assigned to various semiconductor circuits. One pipe can be working on different parts of sequential instructions.

Virtual Processes Handling

Provides special instuctions and hardware to simulate multiple separate virtual machines running other Operating Systems with their own processes threads.

Branch Prediction

Allows some work to be done in advance handling a branch instruction where one path is more common. If guessed wrong, the results are discarded.

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