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Difference Between Microprocessor and Microcontroller

The document compares microprocessors and microcontrollers. It states that microprocessors only contain a CPU and require external memory, RAM, ROM and peripherals, while microcontrollers contain these components internally on a single chip. As a result, microcontrollers are smaller, more efficient for compact systems, and have lower power consumption, making them suitable for battery-powered devices. In contrast, microprocessors require additional external components, making systems using them larger, more complex and costly. The document also notes differences in architecture, speed, number of registers, and common applications between microprocessors and microcontrollers.

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Angel Catangay
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529 views

Difference Between Microprocessor and Microcontroller

The document compares microprocessors and microcontrollers. It states that microprocessors only contain a CPU and require external memory, RAM, ROM and peripherals, while microcontrollers contain these components internally on a single chip. As a result, microcontrollers are smaller, more efficient for compact systems, and have lower power consumption, making them suitable for battery-powered devices. In contrast, microprocessors require additional external components, making systems using them larger, more complex and costly. The document also notes differences in architecture, speed, number of registers, and common applications between microprocessors and microcontrollers.

Uploaded by

Angel Catangay
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Difference between microprocessor and microcontroller

Microprocessor is an IC which has only the CPU inside them i.e. 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.
Application of microprocessor includes Desktop PC’s, Laptops, notepads etc.

But this is not the case with Microcontrollers. 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. Today different manufacturers produce microcontrollers with
a wide range of features available in different versions. Some manufacturers are ATMEL, Microchip, TI,
Freescale, Philips, Motorola etc.

Microcontrollers are designed to perform specific tasks. Specific means applications where the
relationship of input and output is defined. Depending on the input, some processing needs to be done
and output is delivered. For example, keyboards, mouse, washing machine, digicam, pendrive, remote,
microwave, cars, bikes, telephone, mobiles, watches, etc. 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. This in
turn reduces the size and the cost.

Microprocessor find applications where tasks are unspecific like developing software, games, websites,
photo editing, creating documents etc. In such cases the relationship between input and output is not
defined. They need high amount of resources like RAM, ROM, I/O ports etc.
The clock speed of the Microprocessor is quite high as compared to the microcontroller. Whereas the
microcontrollers operate from a few MHz to 30 to 50 MHz, today’s microprocessor operate above 1GHz
as they perform complex tasks. Read more about what is microcontroller.

Comparing microcontroller and microprocessor in terms of cost is not justified. Undoubtedly a


microcontroller is far cheaper than a microprocessor. However microcontroller cannot be used in place
of microprocessor and using a microprocessor is not advised in place of a microcontroller as it makes the
application quite costly. Microprocessor cannot be used stand alone. They need other peripherals like
RAM, ROM, buffer, I/O ports etc and hence a system designed around a microprocessor is quite costly.
Difference between Microprocessor and
Microcontroller
Microprocessor Micro Controller

Microprocessor is heart of Computer system. Micro Controller is a heart of embedded system.

It is just a processor. Memory and I/O components Micro controller has external processor along with
have to be connected externally internal memory and i/O components

Since memory and I/O has to be connected externally, Since memory and I/O are present internally, the
the circuit becomes large. circuit is small.

Cannot be used in compact systems and hence Can be used in compact systems and hence it is an
inefficient efficient technique

Cost of the entire system increases Cost of the entire system is low

Due to external components, the entire power Since external components are low, total power
consumption is high. Hence it is not suitable to used consumption is less and can be used with devices
with devices running on stored power like batteries. running on stored power like batteries.

Most of the micro controllers have power saving


Most of the microprocessors do not have power saving
modes like idle mode and power saving mode. This
features.
helps to reduce power consumption even further.

Since memory and I/O components are all external,


Since components are internal, most of the operations
each instruction will need external operation, hence it
are internal instruction, hence speed is fast.
is relatively slower.

Microprocessor have less number of registers, hence Micro controller have more number of registers,
more operations are memory based. hence the programs are easier to write.

Microprocessors are based on von Neumann Micro controllers are based on Harvard architecture
model/architecture where program and data are where program memory and Data memory are
stored in same memory module separate

Mainly used in personal computers Used mainly in washing machine, MP3 players
RISC (reduced instruction set computer) is a microprocessor that is designed to perform a
smaller number of types of computer instructions so that it can operate at a higher speed
(perform more millions of instructions per second, or MIPS).

resistive touchscreens are touch-sensitive computer displays composed of two flexible sheets
coated with a resistive material and separated by an air gap or microdots. [1] There are two different
types of metallic layers. The first type is called Matrix, in which striped electrodes on substrates such
as glass or plastic face each other. The second type is called Analogue which consists of
transparent electrodes without any patterning facing each other. As of 2011 analogue offered
lowered production costs.[citation needed] When contact is made to the surface of the touchscreen, the two
sheets are pressed together. On these two sheets there are horizontal and vertical lines that, when
pushed together, register the precise location of the touch. Because the touchscreen senses input
from contact with nearly any object (finger, stylus/pen, palm) resistive touchscreens are a type of
"passive" technology.

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