A microcontroller is a single piece of semiconductor chip which is programmable and reprogrammable. It is a small computer capable of controlling, performing logical reasoning and performing complex tasks like calculations. In other words a micro controller is a semiconductor chip capable of controlling and logic processing.
They consists of logic circuits, complex circuits, billions of components like capacitors, transistors and diodes embedded onto a single piece solid wafer semiconductor material embedded into a plastic casing.
Micro-controllers contains all essential components of a microcomputer such as CPU, RAM/EPROM, I/O lines and so on... Some single chip microntrollers contain devices to perform specific functions such as DMA channels, A/D converter, serial port, pulse width modulation, etc...
Difference between a microntroller and a microprocessor.
•microprocessors are use in big applications while microntrollers are use to execute a single task within an application.
• The microprocessor is the heart of a computer system while, microntrollers are the heart of an embeded system.
• It's just a processor, memory and I/O components have to be connected externally. Microntrollers contains external processor along with internal memory and I/O components.
• A microprocessor's I/O (input or output) and memory is connected externally, the
circuit becomes large. A microntroller's I/O and memory is present internally therefore the circuit is small.
•A microprocessor can't be used in compact systems and hence inefficient. A microntroller can be used in compact systems and microntroller is an efficient technique.
• Microprocessors are mainly used in personal computers. A microntroller is mainly used in washing machines, MP3 players, DVDs, ATM etc.
Common microntrollers.
1. 8051 microntroller
2. AVR microcontroller
3.ATMEGA microntroller
4. ATMEL microntroller
Tags:
Embedded System