Skip to main content

Microprocessor vs Microcontroller

 Difference between a microprocessor and a microcontroller

Microprocessor

  • A silicon chip representing a central processing unit (CPU), which is capable of performing arithmetic as well as logical operations according to a predefined set of instructions.
  • It is a dependent unit. It requires the combination of other chips like timers, program and data memory chips, interrupt controllers, etc. for functioning.
  • Most of the time general purpose in design and operation.
  • Doesn't contain a built in I/O port. The I/O port functionality needs to be implemented with the help of external programmable peripheral interface chips like 8255.
  • Targeted for high end market where performance is important.
  • Limited power saving options compared to microcontrollers.

Microcontroller

  • A microcontroller is a highly integrated chip that contains a CPU, scratchpad RAM, special and general purpose register arrays, on chip ROM/FLASH memory for program storage, timer and interrupt control units and dedicated I/O ports.
  • It is a self-contained unit and it doesn't require external interrupt controller, timer, UART, etc. for its functioning.
  • Mostly application-oriented or domain-specific.
  • Most of the processors contain multiple built-in I/O ports which can be operated as a single 8 or 16 or 32 bit port or as individual port pins.
  • Targeted for embedded market where performance is not so critical (At present this demarcation is invalid).
  • Includes lot of power saving features.

Diagram

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ChatGPT

 What is ChatGPT ? ChatGPT  is an AI (Artificial Intelligence) chatbot , which is developed by OpenAI.  It takes text as input and responds to it like a human. It was launched in NOVEMBER 2022. In ChatGPT ,GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer. It is among the latest sensations in the field of AI. How to access ChatGPT ? To use ChatGPT the first step is to sign up on OpenAI and create an account on it. Here is the link " https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/ ". By clicking the above link the interface looks like, Now, click on the "TRY CHATGPT" and signup/login using your credentials. Is ChatGPT free to use ? Free ChatGPT service is not available anywhere,but ChatGPT will only be available to U.S customers for now. On February 2023 OpenAI has announced that it was introducing "ChatGPT Plus"  by launching a pilot subscription plan for ChatGPT. The new subscription plan, ChatGPT Plus, will be available for $20/month, and subscribers will receive a num...
Post a Comment
Read more

Embedded Systems

  Introduction to Embedded Systems WHAT IS AN EMBEDDED SYSTEM? An embedded system is an electronic/electro-mechanical system designed to perform a specific function and is a combination of both hardware and firmware(software). Difference between embedded and general purpose computing system Embedded System A system which is a combination of special purpose hardware and embedded OS for executing a specific set of applications. May or may not contain an operating system for functioning. The firmware of the embedded system is pre-programmed and it is non alterable by the end-user (There may be exceptions for systems supporting OS kernel image flashing through special hardware settings). Application-specific requirements (like performance, power requirements, memory usage, etc.) are the key deciding factors. Highly tailored to take advantage of the power saving modes supported by the hardware and the operating system. For certain category of embedded systems like mission critical syste...
Post a Comment
Read more

CLASSIFICATION OF EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

  CLASSIFICATION OF EMBEDDED SYSTEMS Some of the criteria used in the classification of embedded systems are as follows: (1) Based on generation (2) Complexity and performance requirements (3) Based on deterministic behavior (4) Based on triggering Classification Based on Generation First Generation :  The early embedded systems were built around 8bit microprocessors like 8085 and Z80, and 4bit microcontrollers. Simple in hardware circuits with firmware developed in Assembly code. Digital telephone keypads, stepper motor control units etc. are examples of this. Second Generation   :  These are embedded systems built around 16bit microprocessors and 8 or 16 bit microcontrollers, following the first generation embedded systems. The instruction set for the second generation processors/controllers were much more complex and powerful than the first generation processors/controllers. Some of the second generation embedded systems contained embedded operating...
Post a Comment
Read more