Higher Colleges of Technology

ELE - 3614: Microcontroller Systems

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INTRODUCTION

No Topics Page #
1 Learning Objectives 2
2 Computer versus Microcontroller 3
3 Functional Blocks of a typical Microcontroller 4
4 Microcontroller Memory: W / R operations 5
5 Hardwired logic system versus Microcontroller system 6
6 Processor Architecture Overview 7
7 Revision exercises 8

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Learning Objectives

At the end of this lecture, students should be able

to:
 identify differences between computer systems
and microcontroller systems

 describe functional blocks of a typical

microcontroller

 identify types of memory and describe memory

operation and memory map of microcontroller

 differentiate between hardwired logic system

and microcontroller system

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 2.0: Computer versus Microcontroller

2.1 - Computer: simply put, an Electronic DATA processing machine

(for many users)

Block level diagram of a Computer :

ALU:
Arithmetic & Logic
unit

INPUT CONTROL UNIT OUTPUT

Memory unit

i- Input: Device used to send DATA to computer.

Examples: ①……..………….② …………….

③ ……………... ④ ……………..
⑤ ………………. ⑥ ……………..
ii - Output: Device used to display or print DATA from the computer.
Examples: ①……..………….② …………….
③ ……………... ④ ……………..
iii- ALU: Device which does all calculations.
iv - Control unit: Device responsible for managing and coordinate all
activities in the computer.
v - Memory: Device used to store DATA.
vi- Bus: electrical communication path for data transfer between
components inside the computer
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 Types  Bidirectional & Unidirectional

? Exercises: Mention types of computer

2.2 Computer Hardware configuration:

DISKS :
HDD
FDD
MPU MEMORY CDROM
P5 120 MB DVD

INPUT: OUTPUTS: PCB POWER

KB PRINTER cards: SUPPLY
MOUSE VDU NIC
SCANNER MODEM

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2.3 Computer Software configuration:
System software Application software
( Operating System)

Examples : ① WINDOWS – XP ① Winword-2000, V-9

② ……………… ② ………………….
③ ……………… ③ ………………….
④ ……………… ④ ………………….

Quiz # Differentiate between Bidirectional & Unidirectional buses

Quiz # What is CPU?

Quiz # Define the following: Computer, Micro-Computer, Personal

computer

2.4 Microcontroller:
an electronic device that includes microprocessor, memory,
I/O (inputs and outputs) on a single chip.
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 “In other word, is a computer on a chip”

VERSUS

Computer unit Microcontroller unit

2.5 Comparing computer and microcontroller

In terms of: Computer Microcontroller
Hardware components

Size and specifications

Applications

Merits

Demerits

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 Sample Microcontroller
Applications

Calculating Automobile
machine

Industrial Renewable
automation energy

3.0: Functional Blocks of a typical MCU

3.1 Blocks diagram of a typical Microcontroller Unit

(MCU):

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Hardware components of a Microcontroller Unit:
Major components:
 ___________________________________________________

 ___________________________________________________

 ___________________________________________________

Supporting devices:

 ____________________________________________________

3.2 Embedded system categories

Microprocessor based Microcontroller based

system system
MPU based system MCU based system

MPU based system:

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_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Merits:

Demerits:

MCU based system:

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Merits:

Demerits:

3.2a – MPU based system

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3.3 – Microprocessor Architecture
Main components:
1. Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) 2. Control Unit (CU)
3. Register Arrays 4. System Bus 5. Memory

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 4.0: Microcontroller Memory
4.1 Background:
 Memory is a semiconductor chip that stores binary information
(instruction and data), and supply that information to the
microprocessor when requested.
 It is made up of registers arrange in sequence.
 Each register can store fixed number of bits, e.g. 8bits wide register

Address Data
0000 D0 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7

Memory specification and size:

Interpreting Address bus and Data bus size

Quize#: If a Microcontroller has a 21bits address bus and 8 bits data BUS, what is
total memory size of the microcontroller?

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4.2 - Memory Classifications

Quizes#:
 What is the difference between ROM & RAM memory?
 What type of memory is been used in microcontroller system?
 Give an example of application when permanent memory is
necessary. Justify your answer with reason.

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Additional Notes on Type of Memory:

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4.3 – Memory Operations :

Address Bus

0X..F
Memory
WR / RD Control
MPU

0X..00

Data Bus

Memory Write Memory Read

Quiz#: Why is the address bus unidirectional?

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 5.0: Hardwired logic system versus
Microcontroller system

Hardwired system Microcontroller system

Differences

Merits

Demerits

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 6.0: Processor Architecture Overview
Hardware Software

 Von Neumann Architecture  CISC ( cisk )

Computer architecture in which the data and the Complex Instruction Set Computer.
program are both stored in the system's memory in a
linear address space. This architecture is, to this day the EX : All CPU and MPU based computers
basis of modern computer design, Uses this Architecture

Proposed by Dr John Von Neumann All PC’s / Laptops Uses this Architecture

Memory Notes:
MPU  Instruction and data use the same buses
 Large instruction set

 RISC ( risk )

Reduced Instruction Set Computer.

Ex : All CPU & MPU based computers uses this Ex: All MCU’s uses this Architecture.
Architecture including PC’s and Lap Tops
Notes:
 Harvard Architecture  Minimizes number of instruction
Computer architecture with physically separated  Minimizes number of addressing modes
storage Space for Program and Data, and also signal and instruction that access memory
path ways.
 Most instruction are executed in one
Proposed by : Harvard Mark I cycle

Address Address  Number of register > CISC

Program MPU Data
Memory Memory

Data bus
Data

Ex : All MCU ‘s are based on this Architecture

All Microchip’s PIC MCU’s are based on
This Architecture

Quiz#: what type of hardware and software architecture is used in MCU?

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