AVR Microcontroller
Introduction to Microprocessor
&
Microcontroller
Outlines of Session
What is a Microprocessor?
What is a Microcontroller?
Differences between Microprocessor and Microcontroller
Criteria for choosing a microcontroller
What is a Microprocessor?
➢A microprocessor is a controlling unit of a micro-computer wrapped
inside a small chip.
➢It performs Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU) operations and
communicates with the other devices connected with it.
➢It is a single Integrated Circuit in which several functions are
combined.
What is a Microcontroller?
➢A microcontroller is a chip optimized to control electronic devices.
➢It is stored in a single integrated circuit which is dedicated to
performing a particular task and execute one specific application.
➢It is specially designed circuits for embedded applications and is
widely used in automatically controlled electronic devices.
➢ It contains memory, processor, and programmable I/O.
Differences between Microprocessor and Microcontroller
Microprocessor
Microcontroller
Contains only CPU: RAM, ROM, I/O timer are
separately provided
CPU, RAM,ROM,I/O timer are all on a single chip
Designer decides on the amount of ROM, RAM and
I/O ports
Fix amount of on chip ROM, RAM and I/O ports
Doesn’t support bit addressability
Supports bit addressability
Better for multi tasking
Weak for multi tasking
General Purpose
Single Purpose
Architecture : Von numann
Architecture: Harvard
High Speed and High Cost
Low Speed and Low Cost
MP based system requires more hardware to be
interfaced
MC based system requires less hardware to be
interfaced
8085, 8086, core2 duo, core i7 are examples of intel
processor
AVR, PIC , ARM, 8051 are some of the
microcontroller family
Microprocessor Vs Microcontroller
General
Purpose
Microprocessor
RAM
ROM
I/O Port
Timer
CPU
Microprocessor
CPU
ROM
RAM
Timer
Serial COM
Port
I/O Port
ADC
Microcontroller
Serial
COM Port
Criteria for choosing a microcontroller
1) It must meet the task at hand efficiently and cost effectively.
Decide 8,16 or 32 bit controller for computing task.
• Other considerations in this category are
a) Speed
b) Packaging (Dual in line or Flat package)
c) Power consumption
d) On chip RAM and ROM
e) Number of I/O pins and timer on chip
f) Ease of Up gradation
g) Cost per unit
2) How easy it is to develop products around it
• Availability of assembler, debugger, compiler, third party vendor
support
3) MC should be available in needed quantities both now and in
future.
Thank You