Overview: Microprocessor Selection Microprocessors have had a profound impact on the design of electronic systems.

Software is stored in standard memory devices, enabling systems with identical h ardware to perform different functions. The hardware design determines the facil ities available to the software, such as memory, and I/O, while the software det ermines the functions performed Several benefits of microprocessor based design are common to a wide range of ap plications. Software control allows easier modification and allows complex contr ol functions to be implemented far more simply than with other implementations. The computational capabilities allow analysis and interpretation of data to be p erformed by instruments that previously could only display raw data. The fundamental microprocessor based system structure is a connection of micro p rocessor, memory and I/O devices with address, data and control buses. Through o ut this course we will examine may of the available devices in each of these fun damental categories and the design of the interconnections between them. Microprocessor Selection The selection of the optimal microprocessor for a particular application is a ch allenging task. The higher the anticipated production volume, the more important it is that the lowest cost device be selected. In low volume applications, it i s most important to have a device that has more than enough power and is easy to program and debug. The selection must begin by narrowing the field. First, the needs of the application must be carefully analysed. Second the class of the device (i.e. microprocessor or microcontroller) is selec ted. Third, the word size is selected, and finally, the field is narrowed to a few de vices that are compared in detail.