What is the difference between a microprocessor and micro-controller?

1. Khalil Zein Eddine
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2. DIGITAL ELECTRONICS
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What is the difference between a microprocessor
and micro-controller?
Microprocessor :
• is an IC which has only the CPU inside them i.e. only the
processing powers such as Intel’s Pentium 1,2,3,4, core 2
duo, i3, i5 etc.
• These microprocessors don’t have RAM, ROM, and other
peripheral on the chip. A system designer has to add them
externally to make them functional.
• Application of microprocessor includes Desktop PC’s,
Laptops, notepads etc.
Introduction

3. Microcontroller:
• has a CPU, in addition with a fixed amount of RAM,
ROM and other peripherals all embedded on a single chip.
• At times it is also termed as a mini computer or a computer
on a single chip.
• Today different manufacturers produce microcontrollers
with a wide range of features available in different
versions.
• Some manufacturers are ATMEL, Microchip, TI, Free
scale, Philips, Motorola etc.
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What is the difference between a microprocessor
and micro-controller?

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Definition of microcontroller
an integrated circuit that contains
a microprocessor along with memory and associated
circuits and that controls some or all of the functions
of an electronic system.

5. Basic Structure of a Microcontroller
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The following image shows the Basic Structure of a
Microcontroller.

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Basic Structure of a Microcontroller
From the above image, you can understand that the
three important (or major) components of a
Microcontroller are:
•The CPU (Central Processing Unit)
•The Memory and
•The I/O Ports
This doesn’t mean that other components are of less
importance. But these can be considered as supporting
devices.

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CPU
 Central Processing Unit or CPU is the brain of the
Microcontroller.
 It consists of an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) and a
Control Unit (CU). A CPU reads, decodes and
executes instructions to perform Arithmetic, Logic
and Data Transfer operations.

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Memory
Any Computational System requires two types of
Memory: Program Memory and Data Memory.
 Program Memory contains the program i.e. the
instructions to be executed by the CPU. Usually,
Program Memory is a Read Only Memory or ROM
 Data Memory on the other hand, is required to
store temporary data while executing the
instructions. Usually, the Data Memory is a
Random Access Memory or RAM.

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I/O Ports:
 The interface for the Microcontroller to the external world is
provided by the I/O Ports or Input / Output Ports. Inputs
device like Switches, Keypads, etc. provide information from
the user to the CPU in the form of Binary Data.
 The CPU, upon receiving the data from the input devices,
executes appropriate instructions and gives response through
Output Devices like LEDs, Displays, Printers, etc.
Bus:
 Another important component of a Microcontroller, but rarely
discussed is the System Bus. A System bus is a group of
connecting wire that connect the CPU with other peripherals
like Memory, I/O Ports and other supporting components.

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Timers/Counters:
 One of the important components of a Microcontroller are the
Timers and Counters.
 They provide the operations of Time Delays and counting
external events.
 Additionally, Timers and Counters can provide Function
Generation, Pulse Width Modulation, Clock Control, etc.
Serial Port :
 One of the important requirement of a Microcontroller is to
communicate with other device and peripherals (external).
 Serial Port proves such interface through serial
communication.
 Most common serial communication implemented in
Microcontrollers is UART.

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Interrupts:
 A very important feature of a Microcontroller is Interrupts
and its Interrupt Handling Mechanism.
 Interrupts can be external, internal, hardware related or
software related.
ADC (Analog to Digital Converter):
 Analog to Digital Converter or ADC is a circuit that converts
Analog signals to Digital Signals.
 The ADC Circuit forms the interface between the external
Analog Input devices and the CPU of the Microcontroller.
 Almost all sensors are analog devices and the analog data from
these sensors must be converted in to digital data for the CPU
to understand.

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DAC (Digital to Analog Converter):
 Digital to Analog Converter or DAC is a circuit, that works in
contrast to an ADC i.e. it converts Digital Signals to Analog
Signals.
 DAC forms the bridge between the CPU of the
Microcontroller and the external analog devices.

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Advantages of Microcontrollers
 A Microcontroller is a true device that fits the computer-on-a-
chip idea.
 No need for any external interfacing of basic components like
Memory, I/O Ports, etc.
 Microcontrollers doesn’t require complex operating systems as
all the instructions must be written and stored in the memory.
(RTOS is an exception).
 All the Input/Output Ports are programmable.
 Integration of all the essential components reduces the cost,
design time and area of the product (or application).

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Disadvantages of Microcontrollers
 Microcontrollers are not known for their
computation power.
 The amount of memory limits the instructions that
a microcontroller can execute.
 No Operating System and hence, all the instruction
must be written.

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Applications of Microcontrollers
There are huge number of applications of
Microcontrollers. In fact, the entire embedded systems
industry is dependent on Microcontrollers. The
following are few applications of Microcontrollers.
 Front Panel Controls in devices like Oven,
washing Machine etc.
 Function Generators
 Smoke and Fire Alarms
 Home Automation Systems
 Automatic Headlamp ON in Cars
 Speed Sensed Door Locking System

16. Bloc schematic of Microprocessor System using 6809
MP
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17. Practical Example of Microprocessor System using
6809 MP
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18. Real Microcontroller
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19. Types of Microcontrollers
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20. Introduction to PIC Microcontroller
A microcontroller has 3 basic parts :
•The CPU core
•Memory (both ROM and RAM)
•Digital I/O
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21. PIC Microcontroller Architecture
The architecture of the 8 bit PIC microcontrollers can
be categorized as:
 Base Line Architecture – In the base-line
architecture PIC microcontrollers of PIC10F family
is included, other than that a fraction of PIC12 &
PIC16 families are also included. These gadgets
make use of 12 bit program word architecture with
six to twenty-eight pin package alternatives.
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22. Mid Range Architecture – In this midline member of
PIC12 & PIC16 families are added that attribute 14
bit program word architecture. The midrange
PIC16 gadgets proffer a broad variety of package
alternatives (from 8 to 64 package), with low to high
levels of peripheral incorporation.
High Performance Architecture – The high
performance architecture included the PIC18 family
of appliances. These micro-controllers make use of
16 bits program word architecture along with 18 to
100 pin package alternatives.
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23. PIC Microcontroller Architecture
 Base Line Architecture
Mid Range Architecture
High Performance Architecture
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24. Basic Block Diagram Structure
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25. MICROCHIP Microcontroller Family
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26. Main features of the 16 family
• Operating speed DC-10 Mhz clock input
• RISC CPU 35 single-word instructions
• Timer
• Different Interrupt sources
• Size memories (RAM, ROM) and an additional
features vary by the type of microcontroller
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27. Benefits of the PIC Microcontroller
• Faster speed
• Lower cost
• Easier and quicker development
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28. Programming languages
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• ASSEMBLY language
• C language
• BASIC language

29. PIC programming overview
Programming PIC microcontrollers is a simple 3 steps
process:
• Write the code
• Compile the code
• Upload the code into a microcontroller
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30. Examples of applications of PIC
• Vehicle systems (example ABS)
• Alarm systems and fire detection
• Home security systems
• Home automation systems
• Telecommunications systems
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