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Intro 1

Lecture

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11 views

Intro 1

Lecture

Uploaded by

narutomonkey68
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/ 24

Introduction to

Microprocessor and
Microcontroller
Objectives:

• To gain understanding about the basic concepts of Microprocessor and


Microcontroller.

• To know the difference between the functions and principles of


Microprocessor and Microcontroller.
What is a Microprocessor?

A microprocessor is a controlling unit of a microcomputer wrapped

inside a small chip. It performs Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU) operations

and communicates with the other devices connected with it. It is a

single Integrated Circuit in which several functions are combined.

A microprocessor is a computer processor which incorporates the

functions of a computer's central processing unit (CPU) on a single

integrated circuit (IC).


Microcomputer, an electronic device with a microprocessor as its central
processing unit (CPU). Microcomputer was formerly a commonly used term for
personal computers, particularly any of a class of small digital computers
whose CPU is contained on a single integrated semiconductor chip. Thus, a
microcomputer uses a single microprocessor for its CPU, which performs all
logic and arithmetic operations.
What is Microcontroller?

A microcontroller is a chip optimized to control electronic

devices. It is stored in a single integrated circuit which is

dedicated to performing a particular task and execute one

specific application.

It is specially designed circuits for embedded applications and

is widely used in automatically controlled electronic devices. It

contains memory, processor, and programmable I/O.


An embedded system can be thought of as a computer

hardware system having software embedded in it. An embedded

system can be an independent system or it can be a part of a

large system. An embedded system is a microcontroller or

microprocessor based system which is designed to perform a

specific task. For example, a fire alarm is an embedded system; it

will sense only smoke.


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 and have their own advantages and
disadvantages. They can be differentiated in terms of
Applications, structure, internal parameters, power consumption,
and cost.
Structure of Microprocessor and Microcontroller

The microprocessor is used in the very intensive processes. It

only contains a CPU (central processing unit) but there are many

other parts needed to work with the CPU to complete a process.

These all other parts are connected externally. The

microprocessor chip is not containing all these parts internally. The

number of external parts and the size of the external parts

depends on the application.


Generally, it connected with
memory elements like RAM and ROM,
I/O ports, timers, serial interface, etc.
The advantage of the microprocessor is
that it has a flexible structure. It means
you can decide the size of RAM, ROM,
number of I/O ports and can modify all
the things which are connected
externally according to the application.
Microcontrollers are used to do the same assigned task

repeatedly. Hence, the number of I/O ports and the amount of

memory required is less compared to the microprocessor. As

told earlier, in microcontroller external parts are integrated with

CPU in a single chip and because of this integrated structure

the overall size of the microcontroller is smaller compared to the

microprocessor.
In microcontroller you cannot modify the size of RAM, ROM

and other components. Once a controller is designed the

structure is fixed. So, the structure of the microcontroller is not

flexible.
Internal Parameter of Microprocessor and Microcontroller

Both ICs are different in internal parameters like; clock speed, memory
(RAM and ROM), peripheral interface, etc. So let's check the important
difference between microprocessor and microcontroller ICs in terms of internal
parameters.

Clock speed:

The microprocessors are run at higher clock speeds. The clock speed of a
microprocessor is in the range of 1 GHz to 4 GHz. While in the case of
microcontroller, high clock speed is not required. The clock speed for the
microcontroller is in the range of the 1 MHz to 300 MHz.
Memory:

The microprocessors have to run an operating system or it is used for very


complicated tasks. Hence, the amount of memory required for the
microprocessor is very large. The volatile memory (RAM) for the microprocessor is
in the range of the 512 MB to 32 GB. The hard disk (ROM) for the microprocessor is
in the range of the 128 GB to 2 TB.

The microcontrollers are designed for a specific task. The amount of memory
required for the microcontroller is quite less compared to the microprocessor. The
volatile memory (RAM) for the microcontroller is in the range of 2 KB to 256 KB. The
hard drive or flash memory (ROM) is in the range of the 32 KB to 2 MB.
Peripheral interface:

The common peripheral interface for the microprocessor is USB, UART, and
high-speed Ethernet and the microcontroller peripheral interface is I2C, SPI,
and UART.

Programming:

The program for the microprocessor can be changed for different


applications. While in the case of the microcontroller once it is designed, the
program is common for that application. There is no option for the modification
of the program. So, the programming of the microprocessor is difficult
compared to the microcontroller.
Bit size:

Modern-day microcontrollers are 32 bit and 64 bit. The 32-bit


microprocessor can handle 32-bit binary data at the same time. Hence the
address and data bus are 32 bit. Similarly, the 64-bit microprocessor can
handle 64-bit binary data at the same time. The microcontrollers are 8 bit, 16 bit
or 32 bit. Therefore, the amount of data that can be handled by a
microcontroller in a single cycle is lesser compared to the microprocessor.

Power Consumption:

The power consumption for the microprocessor is higher compared to the


microcontroller.
Applications of Microprocessor and Microcontroller

The microprocessor is used in an application where the task is


not predefined and it is assigned by the user. It is used in
computers, mobiles, video games, TVs, etc where the task is not
fixed and it depends on the user. Generally, the microprocessor is
used where intensive processing is required. A laptop is the best
example where a microprocessor is used. The laptop is used for
media streaming, simulation, editing image, web browsing,
gaming, creating a document and many more.
The microcontroller is designed for a specific task and once

the program is embed on MCU chip, it can’t be altered easily

and you may be needed special tools to reburn it. 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. The

input could be given by the user or it could be given by the

sensors.
It is used in many electronic appliances like washing

machine, microwave oven, timer, etc. In these equipment,

the process is predefined, it may need some inputs from user

to give predefine output. Let say washing machine, once

the user sets the input parameters, it wash the clothes

according to input parameter. So, the basic task (washing

the clothes) for the washing machine is fixed. You cannot do

anything else from the washing machine.


Summary:
References:
• Difference between Microprocessor and Microcontroller (no date). Available at:
https://components101.com/articles/difference-between-microprocessor-and-
microcontroller.

• [No title] (no date). Available at:


http://www.pvpsiddhartha.ac.in/dep_it/lecture%20notes/MP/unit1.pdf
• Embedded Systems - Overview (no date). Available at:
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/embedded_systems/es_overview.htm
• microcomputer (no date). Available at:
https://www.britannica.com/technology/microcomputer
• Brit (no date) Very simple microprocessor. Available at: https://www.slideshare.net/Brit4/very-
simple-microprocessor
• (Microprocessors and Microcontrollers, no date)
“The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.”
- Anthony Robbins

- end -

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