The document discusses the Harvard architecture used in microcontrollers like the 8051. It has 40 pins that can be configured for multiple purposes like address/data transmission, I/O, and memory interfacing. This allows it to overcome pin limitations and access external memory. Different types of program and data memory are described like RAM, ROM, EEPROM and their applications. Interfacing external memory involves connecting address/data pins and using chip selects. The 8051 has separate program and data spaces that can access internal and external memory using instructions like MOVX.