ASSIGNMENT

Submitted By:
Name :
Zeeshan Ahmed Warraich

I.d.:
BCS07193076

Section:
B.SC.S-4-B
Q:
Difference Between
Microprocessor and
Microcontroller?? with internal
diagram.

ANSWER:
Difference between Microprocessor
and Microcontroller:

Microprocessor vs Microcontroller
Microcontroller and Microprocessor both terms seem similar but there
is a huge difference between these two ICs. Microprocessor only have
CPU in the chip like most of the Intel Processors
but Microcontroller also have RAM, ROM and other peripherals along
with the CPU or processor. Both ICs have different applications and
have their own advantages and disadvantages. They can be
differentiated in terms of Applications, structure, internal parameters,
power consumption, and cost. Let’s see the difference between the
microprocessor and microcontroller in detail.

Applications of Microprocessor and Microcontroller

The microprocessor is used in an application where the task is not
predefined and it is assigned by the user. It is used in computers,
mobiles, video games, TVs, etc where the task is not fixed and it
depends on the user. Generally, the microprocessor is used where
intensive processing is required. A laptop is the best example where a
microprocessor is used. The laptop is used for media streaming,
simulation, editing image, web browsing, gaming, creating a document
and many more.

The microcontroller is designed for a specific task and once the

program is embed on MCU chip, it can’t be altered easily and you may
be needed special tools to reburn it. The process of the microcontroller
is fixed according to its application. Hence, it does some processing,
based on the input given to the microcontroller and gives the predefined
results as an output. The input could be given by the user or it could be
given by the sensors. It is used in many electronic appliances like
washing machine, microwave oven, timer, etc. In these equipments, the
process is predefined, it may need some inputs from user to give
predefine output. Let say washing machine, once the user sets the input
parameters, it wash the clothes according to input parameter. So, the
basic task (washing the clothes) for the washing machine is fixed. You
cannot do anything else from the washing machine.

Structure of Microprocessor and Microcontroller

The microprocessor is used in the very intensive processes. It only
contains a CPU (central processing unit) but there are many other parts
needed to work with the CPU to complete a process. These all other
parts are connected externally. The microprocessor chip is not
containing all these parts internally. The number of external parts and
the size of the external parts depends on the application. Generally, it
connected with memory elements like RAM and ROM, I/O ports, timers,
serial interface, etc. The advantage of the microprocessor is that it has
a flexible structure. It means you can decide the size of RAM, ROM,
number of I/O ports and can modify all the things which are connected
externally according to the application.
Microcontrollers are used to do the same assigned task repeatedly.
Hence, the number of I/O ports and the amount of memory required is
less compared to the microprocessor. As told earlier, in microcontroller
external parts are integrated with CPU in a single chip and because of
this integrated structure the overall size of the microcontroller is
smaller compared to the microprocessor. In microcontroller you cannot
modify the size of RAM, ROM and other components. Once a controller
is designed the structure is fixed. So, the structure of the
microcontroller is not flexible.
Internal Parameter of Microprocessor and
Microcontroller
Both ICs are different in internal parameters like; clock speed, memory
(RAM and ROM), peripheral interface, etc. So let's check the
important difference between microprocessor and microcontroller ICs
in terms of internal parameters.
Clock speed:
The microprocessors are run at higher clock speeds. The clock speed
of a microprocessor is in the range of 1 GHz to 4 GHz. While in the case
of microcontroller, high clock speed is not required. The clock speed for
the microcontroller is in the range of the 1 MHz to 300 MHz.

Memory:
The microprocessors have to run an operating system or it is used for
very complicated tasks. Hence, the amount of memory required for the
microprocessor is very large. The volatile memory (RAM) for the
microprocessor is in the range of the 512 MB to 32 GB. The hard disk
(ROM) for the microprocessor is in the range of the 128 GB to 2 TB.
The microcontrollers are designed for a specific task. The amount of
memory required for the microcontroller is quite less compared to the
microprocessor. The volatile memory (RAM) for the microcontroller is in
the range of 2 KB to 256 KB. The hard drive or flash memory (ROM) is in
the range of the 32 KB to 2 MB.

Peripheral interface:
The common peripheral interface for the microprocessor is USB, UART,
and high-speed Ethernet and the microcontroller peripheral interface is
I2C, SPI, and UART.

Programming:
The program for the microprocessor can be changed for different
applications. While in the case of the microcontroller once it is
designed, the program is common for that application. There is no
option for the modification of the program. So, the programming of the
microprocessor is difficult compared to the microcontroller.

Bit size:
Modern-day microcontrollers are 32 bit and 64 bit. The 32-bit
microprocessor can handle 32-bit binary data at the same time. Hence
the address and data bus are 32 bit. Similarly, the 64-bit microprocessor
can handle 64-bit binary data at the same time. The microcontrollers
are 8 bit, 16 bit or 32 bit. Therefore, the amount of data that can be
handled by a microcontroller in a single cycle is lesser compared to the
microprocessor.

Power Consumption:
The power consumption for the microprocessor is higher compared to
the microcontroller.

Cost of Microprocessor and Microcontroller

Microprocessors are used to perform complex calculations and are used

in high end systems like computer, mobile phones etc. Also they
generally have more I/O pins than a microcontroller to connect more
RAM, ROM and other I/O devices. So generally they are costlier then
microcontroller. But its not always true and you can find some
microcontroller, which have high end processer, more expensive than a
microprocessor.

Summary

Now, let’s summarize difference between the microprocessor

and microcontroller in a tabular form.

Microprocessor Microcontroller
Application It used where intensive processing is It used where the task is
required. It is used in personal fixed and predefined. It is
computers, laptops, mobiles, video used in the washing machine
games, etc. alarm, etc.
Structure It has only the CPU in the chip. Other CPU, Memory, I/O port and al
devices like I/O port, memory, timer is other devices are connected
connected externally. on the single chip.
The structure of the microprocessor is The structure is fixed. Once
flexible. Users can decide the amount it is designed the user canno
of memory, the number of I/O port and change the peripheral
other peripheral devices. devices.
Clock speed The clock speed of the The clock speed of the
microprocessor is high. It is in terms microcontroller is less. It is
of the GHz. It ranges between 1 GHz in terms of the MHz. it ranges
to 4 GHz. between 1 MHz to 300 MHz.
RAM The volatile memory (RAM) for the The volatile memory (RAM)
microprocessor is in the range of the for the microcontroller is in
512 MB to 32 GB. the range of 2 KB to 256 KB.
ROM The hard disk (ROM) for the The hard drive or flash
microprocessor is in the range of the memory (ROM) is in the range
128 GB to 2 TB. of the 32 KB to 2 MB.
Peripheral The common peripheral interface for The common peripheral
interface the microprocessor is USB, UART, and interface for the
high-speed Ethernet. microcontroller is I2C, SPI,
and UART.
Programming The program for the microprocessor The program for the
can be changed for different microcontroller is fixed once
applications. The programming of the it is designed.
microprocessor is difficult compared
to the microcontroller.
Bit size It is available in 32-Bit and 64-bit. It is available in 8-bit, 16-bit,
and 36-bit.
Cost The cost of the microprocessor is high It is cheaper.
compared to the microcontroller.
Power The power consumption for the The power consumption for
consumption microprocessor is high. the microcontroller is less.
Size The overall size of the system is large. The overall size of the
system is small.