Many years passed by and we can now clearly see and notice the drastic and immense improvement of the world in terms of technology. The world quotes the term "High-tech" which literally emphasizes that we commend to its development. We just know that as technology continues and continue to improve, little by little our gadgets are getting smaller and smaller to the extent that it can now be so easy for us to carry those- or in other words portable. It's clear and evident to our naked eyes and can even be tangible to our very own hands. In electronics, these devices which are lightweight and can be carried somewhere with ease are referred to as "Portable Electronic Devices (PED)". Behind every PED's system are embedded an electronic devices and circuitry which is responsible for the execution of instructions we want our gadgets to function for and these devices are called Microprocessor and/or Microcontroller. I use the conjunctions and/or to emphasize that not all PED has both, some may have the two but in most cases, just a microprocessor.
This blog offers you an insight about the distinction of a microprocessor and a microcontroller. Everything that will be detailed later in this blog is just my personal understanding about how these two devices function since these topics are also covered in my Electronics subject as an Electronics Engineering student and I am basing the below details on my notes of this subject about this topic. I hope you guys have a well time reading this blog.
A microprocessor (often abbreviated as µP or MPU) is a simple computer (computer- meaning an electronic device which stores and processes data; not a computer hardware or a desktop) contained more or less in one integrated circuit (IC). It integrates a number of useful functions into a single IC package. These devices require other peripheral components such as a memory unit so as to function.
Those three basic activities are happening inside an MPU, it also has an associated elements tasked to perform each basic activity and even more.
| used to store items that computer needs to execute when it is first turned on ; Non-volatile memory; program stored in this memory can only be read | |
| also called as the main memory because it is the primary memory that the CPU uses when processing information; known as read/write memory; volatile memory |
| a bi-directional bus which is used to transfer the control signals (read, write, interrupt) and timing signals (clock pulses) between MPU and other peripheral components | |
| a bi-directional bus used to transmit data bi-directionally between MPU and other peripheral devices | |
| a unidirectional bus used to send the address of a peripheral from an MPU to the peripheral device |
A microcontroller (often abbreviated as µC or MCU). It is a true computer on a single chip. this device is a microprocessor with peripherals in one electronic component. It is designed specifically for use in embedded systems that typically include an integrated CPU, memory (a small amount of RAM, ROM, or both), and other peripherals on the same chip.
| Specific Interfaces | General Purpose |
| needs external memory and buses | stand-alone computer |
| High Performance (+2 GHz) | Less Performance(<80 MHz) |
| Will be expensive since some other peripheral components are needed for it to function | Cheaper |
| Low Power Output | High Strength I/O drives |
Your Electronic aspirant,
IVAN
