Scribd
Upload
11 views

M2T2V1 Introduction

Uploaded by

tukeshkumar1703
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
11 views

M2T2V1 Introduction

Uploaded by

tukeshkumar1703
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

M2T2V1-Introduction

Slide 3 - The Central Processing Unit

Embedded systems are designed around either a microcontroller or a microprocessor. In


the early days of computing, a microprocessor is basically just an execution unit and all
its functionalities were connected as external peripheral devices. A microcontroller, on
the other hand, has everything it needs on one chip. Today the lines differentiating them
are blurred to an extent. Microprocessors are becoming more and more integrated with
peripherals. For our study let's identify the classifications of CPU. There are basically
three types of CPU.

● Desktop Microprocessor: contain just the processing engine. They require


complex support chips as their peripherals. They are available as 32/64-bit
chips. Examples include devices like the Pentium and AMD processors.
● Embedded Microprocessor: contain a processing unit and some set of peripherals
typically seen in an embedded system. These devices generally fall in the
16/32-bit category. ARM processors like PowerPC, and Cirrus Logic EP93XX
processors fall under this category.
● Microcontroller: has many peripherals fully integrated within the chip alongside the
CPU. It also contains some amount of non-volatile memory for program storage
and volatile memory for program use. They are commonly available as 8/16 bit
devices. Examples include the 8051, Atmega 8, PIC16f84, etc.

So, the CPU (central processing unit) can refer to any of these, or it can refer to just the
processing section of a microcontroller or embedded microprocessor. These definitions
are not any rules in the industry. There is an overlap between these different terms. In
fact, both microcontrollers and desktop microprocessors are used in embedded systems.

Microprocessor Vs Microcontroller

Microprocessor Microcontroller

Microprocessors have only the execution unit in A microcontroller, on the other hand,
them. Everything else needed should be put as has everything it needs on one chip.
an external peripheral device.

Microprocessors are utilized for relatively The microcontroller has low


high-performance applications. performance. It is usually used in
designs to minimize the total chip count
and cost.

Microprocessors are highly flexible. They can Microcontrollers are less


achieve very high levels of processing power. flexible.
Microprocessors have higher external chip Microcontrollers have low external chip
counts. It requires external memory and I/O counts. It has enough resources on the
hardware. chip that it is the only IC required for a
product.

Microprocessors have Von Neumann Microcontrollers have Harvard


architecture. i.e., it has a single memory for architecture which means it has
both programs and data to allow maximum separate memories for programs and
flexibility in the allocation of memory. data.

Microprocessors have high power Microcontrollers have low power


requirements. requirements because on-chip power
requirements are much smaller than
external loads.

Microprocessors have few I/O pins Microcontroller More pins on the chip are available for
I/O pins. user I/O since they aren’t needed for the
bus. As memory and other peripherals
are already integrated within the chip.

Memory expansion is possible in Expansion of memory or I/O is


microprocessors. limited or impossible in
microcontrollers.

Microprocessors have high-speed data Microcontrollers have limited speeds in


transfer. data transfer due to practical size and
speed limits for a single chip.

Low reliability. The reliability of the microcontroller is


higher since there are fewer components
and interconnections.

Processor Bit Width

The bit size actually refers to the size of a ‘word’ used inside the processor. It is CPU
specific. The size of the word differs in each microcontroller between 8/16/32/64 bits. This
‘word’ can be used as an address, a variable, a register, or as an instruction. The length
of this word is defined by bit width. Bit width has an effect on the size of internal ROM
and RAM memory also. Theoretically, in an 8-bit processor, the memory size is dictated
by the processor bit width of 8 bits, which gives 255 unique memory locations. Whereas a
16-bit microcontroller can handle up to 65K memory locations and a 32-bit
microcontroller can handle up to 4GB memory locations. Examples of 8-bit – 8051,
Atmega8, Atmega328, Atmega32, PIC16f84 Examples of 16-bit - PIC24 series and
dsPIC series. Examples of 32-bit - PIC32MX series, ARM processors like Cirrus Logic
processors, Texas Instruments DaVinci series, STM32 series, etc.

You might also like