Microcontrollers: Definition, Working, and Elements
Microcontroller
(MCU)
Definition
:
It is a compact integrated circuit designed to
govern a specific operation in an embedded
system.
typically it includes the following on a single
chip.
•
a processor,
•
memory
•
input/output (I/O) peripherals
Microcontroller unit (MCU)
Microcontrollers
•
Also know as embedded
•
These are simple miniature personal computers
(PCs) designed to control small features of a
larger component
•
are found in vehicles, robots, office machines,
medical devices, mobile radio transceivers,
vending machines and home appliances etc.
How do microcontrollers work?
•
It is embedded inside of a system to control a
singular function in a device.
•
It works by interpreting data it receives from its
I/O peripherals using its central processor.
•
The temporary information it receives is stored in
its data memory, where the processor accesses it
and uses instructions stored in its program
memory to decipher and apply the incoming data.
•
It then uses its I/O peripherals to communicate
and enact the appropriate action.
Elements of a microcontroller
1. The processor (CPU)
--
A processor can be thought of as the brain of the
device.
-- It processes and responds to various
instructions .
-- This involves performing basic arithmetic, logic
and I/O operations as well as data transfer
operations.
2. Memory
-- is used to store the data that the processor
receives .
Two main memory types:
a)
Program memory
: This stores long-term
information about the instructions that the
CPU carries out.
-- It is a non-volatile memory
.
b)
Data memory
:
This is required for temporary
data storage while the instructions are being
executed.
–
Data memory is volatile,
3. I/O peripherals
--
The input and output devices are the interface for the
processor to the outside world.
-- The processor receives that data and sends the
necessary instructions to output devices that
execute, tasks external to the microcontroller.
Microcontroller features
•
vary by application. Options range from the simple 4-
bit, 8-bit or 16-bit processors to more complex 32-bit
or 64-bit processors.
•
Microcontrollers can use volatile memory types such
as
–
random access memory (
RAM
)
–
non-volatile memory types – eg
flash memory
, erasable
programmable read-only memory (
EPROM
) and
(
EEPROM
).
Microprocessor
•
It is a controlling unit of a micro-computer,
fabricated on a small chip capable of
performing ALU
(Arithmetic Logical Unit)
operations and communicating with the other
devices connected to it.
•
Microprocessor consists of an
ALU
,
register
array
, and a
control unit
.
Elements of a Microprocessor
How does a Microprocessor Work?
•
The microprocessor follows a sequence: Fetch, Decode,
and then Execute.
•
The instructions are stored in the memory in a
sequential order.
•
The microprocessor fetches those instructions from the
memory, then decodes it and executes those
instructions till STOP instruction is reached.
•
Later, it sends the result to the output port
Difference between Microcontroller and
Microprocessor
•
Microcontroller and Microprocessor both terms seem
similar but there is a huge difference between these
two ICs.
•
Microprocessor
only have CPU in the chip like most of
the Intel Processors but
•
Microcontroller
also have RAM, ROM and other
peripherals along with the CPU or processor.
•
Both ICs have different applications.
•
They can be differentiated in terms of
Applications
,
structure
,
internal parameters
,
power consumption
,
and
cost
Applications of Microprocessor and
Microcontroller
•
The microprocessor used in :
–
an application where the task is not predefined and
it is assigned by the user.
–
in computers, mobiles, video games, TVs, etc where
the task is not fixed and it depends on the user.
–
where intensive processing is required.
Applications of Microprocessor and
Microcontroller
•
T
h
e
m
i
c
r
o
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
r
:
is designed for a specific task and once the
program is embed on
MCU
chip,
it can’t be
altered easily.
–
The process of the microcontroller is fixed
according to its application. Hence, it does some
processing, based on the input given to the
microcontroller and
gives the predefined results as
an output.
Microprocessor Development
Tools
•
Software Tools
–
Assembler
–
Linker
–
Loader
–
Compiler
–
Libraries
–
Pre-compiled IP
–
Simulator
–
IDE
•
Hardware Tools
–
In Circuit Emulator (ICE)
–
Logic Analyzer
–
Microprocessor
–
Development Systems
–
System Development
–
Systems
A microcontroller (MCU) is a compact integrated circuit essential for embedded systems, controlling specific operations. This article delves into the definition, functioning, and key elements of microcontrollers, such as the processor, memory, and I/O peripherals. Explore how microcontrollers work, their applications, and the vital components that make them function effectively.
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Presentation Transcript
Microcontroller (MCU) Definition: It is a compact integrated circuit designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system. typically it includes the following on a single chip. a processor, memory input/output (I/O) peripherals
Microcontrollers Also know as embedded These are simple miniature personal computers (PCs) designed to control small features of a larger component are found in vehicles, robots, office machines, medical devices, mobile radio transceivers, vending machines and home appliances etc.
How do microcontrollers work? How do microcontrollers work? It is embedded inside of a system to control a singular function in a device. It works by interpreting data it receives from its I/O peripherals using its central processor. The temporary information it receives is stored in its data memory, where the processor accesses it and uses instructions stored in its program memory to decipher and apply the incoming data. It then uses its I/O peripherals to communicate and enact the appropriate action.
Elements of a microcontroller Elements of a microcontroller 1. The processor (CPU) -- A processor can be thought of as the brain of the device. -- It processes and responds to various instructions . -- This involves performing basic arithmetic, logic and I/O operations as well as data transfer operations.
2. Memory -- is used to store the data that the processor receives . Two main memory types: a) Program memory: This stores long-term information about the instructions that the CPU carries out. -- It is a non-volatile memory. b) Data memory: This is required for temporary data storage while the instructions are being executed. Data memory is volatile,
3. I/O peripherals -- The input and output devices are the interface for the processor to the outside world. -- The processor receives that data and sends the necessary instructions to output devices that execute, tasks external to the microcontroller.
Microcontroller features Microcontroller features vary by application. Options range from the simple 4- bit, 8-bit or 16-bit processors to more complex 32-bit or 64-bit processors. Microcontrollers can use volatile memory types such as random access memory (RAM) non-volatile memory types eg programmable read-only (EEPROM). flash memory, erasable memory (EPROM) and
Microprocessor It is a controlling unit of a micro-computer, fabricated on a small performing ALU (Arithmetic Logical Unit) operations and communicating with the other devices connected to it. chip capable of Microprocessor consists of an ALU, register array, and a control unit.
Elements of a Microprocessor Elements of a Microprocessor
How does a Microprocessor Work? The microprocessor follows a sequence: Fetch, Decode, and then Execute. The instructions are stored in the memory in a sequential order. The microprocessor fetches those instructions from the memory, then decodes it and executes those instructions till STOP instruction is reached. Later, it sends the result to the output port
Difference between Microcontroller and Microprocessor Microcontroller and Microprocessor both terms seem similar but there is a huge difference between these two ICs. Microprocessor only have CPU in the chip like most of the Intel Processors but Microcontroller also have RAM, ROM and other peripherals along with the CPU or processor. Both ICs have different applications. They can be differentiated in terms of Applications, structure, internal parameters, power consumption, and cost
Applications of Microprocessor and Microcontroller The microprocessor used in : an application where the task is not predefined and it is assigned by the user. in computers, mobiles, video games, TVs, etc where the task is not fixed and it depends on the user. where intensive processing is required.
Applications of Microprocessor and Microcontroller The microcontroller: The microcontroller: is designed for a specific task and once the program is embed on MCU chip, it can t be altered easily. The according to its application. Hence, it does some processing, based on the input given to the microcontroller and gives the predefined results as an output. process of the microcontroller is fixed
Microprocessor Development Tools Software Tools Assembler Linker Loader Compiler Libraries Pre-compiled IP Simulator IDE
Hardware Tools In Circuit Emulator (ICE) Logic Analyzer Microprocessor Development Systems System Development Systems
