MICROPROCESSOR

What is a microprocessor ?
■ Sometimes referred to as the CPU (central processing unit), is the controlling
element in a computer system
■ It controls memory and I/O through a series of
connections called buses
■ Accepts binary data as input
■ Process data according to instructions and provide
result as output
■ Operates in binary 0 and 1 or bits, represented
in terms of electrical voltages
■ Recognizes and processes a group of bits called the word
■ Classified according to their word length such as 8 bits microprocessor with 8 bit word and
32 bit microprocessor with 32 bit word etc.
Block Diagram of a Microprocessor
Microprocessor Based System
Evolution of Microprocessors (Intel Series)
Microcontroller
■ A single chip consisting of MPU, memory, I/O and interfacing circuits.
■ Also includes additional devices such as A/D converter, serial I/O, timer etc.
Block Diagram of a Microcontroller
Difference between Microprocessor and
Microcontroller
■ Microprocessor is an IC which has only the CPU inside them, only the processing powers
such as Intel’s Pentium 1,2,3,4 core 2 duo, i3, i5 etc.
■ These microprocessors don’t have RAM, ROM, and other peripheral on the chip.
■ A system designer has to add them externally to make them functional
■ Applications of microprocessor includes Desktop PC’s, Laptops, notepads etc.
■ Some manufacturers are Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, NVIDIA, IBM etc.

■ Microcontroller has a CPU, in addition with a fixed amount of RAM, ROM and other
peripherals all embedded on a single chip
■ At times it is also termed as a mini computer or a computer on a single chip
■ Microcontrollers are designed to perform specific tasks. Since the applications are very
specific, they need small resources like RAM, ROM, I/O ports etc. and hence can be
embedded on a single chip
■ Some manufacturers are ATMEL, Microchip, TI, Freescale, Philips, Motorola etc.
MICROCONTROLLER
Overview
Specification
The Board
Power
Input and Output