What’s a microprocessor
and a microcontroller
A
microcontroller is similar to the microprocessor inside a personal computer.
To design a complete microcomputer system, a microprocessor requires memory
(RAM and ROM) for storing data and programs, and input/output (I/O) interfaces
for connecting external devices like keyboards and displays. To
implement the system, a PCB (printed circuit board) is needed to make a system
board. In personal computer, it’s called motherboards. Figure 1 shows a basic microcomputer system
block diagram.
Figure 1. a
microcomputer system block diagram
In contrast, a
microcontroller is a single-chip computer because it contains memory and I/O interfaces
in addition to the CPU. Because the amount of memory and interfaces that can
fit on a single chip is limited, microcontrollers tend to be used in smaller
systems that require little more than the microprocessor and a few support
components. A Microcontroller is a computer on chip. Figure 2 shows a
microcontroller.
Figure
2. a microcontroller
Each type of microcontrollers provides some various
different features, such as
·
Architecture
·
Number of I/O
·
Memory capacity
·
Speed
·
Programming languages
·
Additional internal devices (ADC,
Communications, etc)
·
Packaging
·
etc
Various type of features make it
different in cost. So, If you are going to design a microcontroller system, you
have to choose what type microcontrollers would be the best for your system.
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