Microprocessor and Interfacing

Microprocessor Based System Development

Faculty:
Bilal Muhammad Iqbal, MS
Computer Sciences Department,
Bahria University (Karachi Campus)
 What’s a Microcontroller?

A microcontroller is a computer-on-a-chip, Micro suggests that the device is small, and controller
tells you that the device might be used to control objects, processes, or events.
which usually includes:

– An 8 or 16 bit microprocessor (CPU).

– A small amount of RAM.
– Programmable ROM and/or flash memory.
– Parallel and/or serial I/O.
– Timers and signal generators.
– Analog to Digital (A/D) and/or Digital to Analog (D/A) conversion.

• Also called embedded controllers, because the microcontroller and support circuits are often
built into, or embedded in, the devices they control.

• Microcontrollers usually must have low-power requirements ( ~.05 -1 W as opposed to ~10-50 W

for general purpose desktop CPUs) since many devices they control are battery-operated.
Design Process

• First, choose a microcontroller

– Define I/O requirements
» # of General Purpose I/O pins
» Special Interfaces (A/D, UARTs, Serial Interfaces)
– Speed Requirements
– Code Space Requirements
– Environment
» Industrial temp ( -40ºC to +85ºC)
» Military temp ( -55ºC to +125ºC)
– Cost (Cheaper is usually better)
 Design Process (cont’d)

• Code Development (Assembly, C)

• Code Verification (Simulation)
• Program your microcontroller
• In Circuit Testing/Debug (prototyping)
• Code Debug (Simulation, Emulation)
• Re-programming/Re-testing
• Final Design
 Research Robots that
Contain Microcontrollers

High-tech and Aerospace

Microcontroller Examples