Introduction to Mechatronics (MEng

3142)

8. Basics of Microprocessors
By:Molalign Mulusew
Mechanical Engineering Department, EiT-Mekelle
2011

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Microprocessor
• A microprocessor is a single, Very-Large Scale Integration
(VLSI) chip that contains many digital circuits that perform
arithmetic, logic, communication and control functions.
• It makes use of the main advantage of software, which is
modifying a Mechatronics system functionality without
making a change in hardware.
• Microprocessor system has three parts
– CPU
– Input & Output interfaces
– Memory

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Microcomputer structure
• Computers have three different sections:
– Central Processing Unit:- CPU
– Input/Output Interfaces
– Memory
Address bus

Data bus

Control bus

Memory CPU Input/Output

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Buses
• Digital signals moves from one section of a
microprocessor to another along paths called
buses.
• There are three different families of buses:
• Data bus:– carries data associated with
processing function of CPU.
• Address bus:- carries signal which indicates
where data is to be found.
• Control bus:- carries signals related with control
actions.

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Central Processing Unit- CPU
• Processes the data by executing a program stored in the memory
• Performs sequence of fetch-and-execute operations
• Consists of:
1. Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU):- performs the data manipulations
2. Registers:- are memory locations with in the microprocessor and used to
store information involved in program execution.
3. Control unit:- determines the timing and sequence of operations.
• Responsible for the control of address, data and control buses (a
‘master’)
• All actions within μP synchronised to the CPU via a clock signal

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Register
1. Accumulator register:- temporary holding register for data to be operated on by
ALU and after operation holds the results.
2. Status register/flag register:- carries information concerning the results of the
latest process carried out in ALU.
3. Program counter register:- it allows the CPU to keep track of its position in the
program.
4. Memory address register:- contains the address of data.
5. Instruction register - stores instructions.
6. General purpose register:- temporary storage of data or addresses, involved in the
transfer between registers.
7. Stack pointer register:- content of this register form an address which defines the
top of stack in RAM.
– Stack is a special area of the memory
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Memory
• Memory units store binary data.
• Size of memory determined by the number of wires in the address bus.
• Memory unit consists of large number of storage cells with each cell
capable of storing 0 or 1 bit.
• Storage cells grouped into a location with each location storing a word.
• In order to access the stored word each location is identified by a unique
word.
• Size of memory specified in terms of number of memory locations
available.
• 1K is 210=1024
• 4K memory has 4096 locations.
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Memory:- Classification

CMOS Memories

RAM ROM’s

SRAM DRAM ROM

EPROM EEPROM Flash

Volatile Non-volatile
Content lost when power off Content will be kept safely when power off

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Memory:- Classification (…)
1. RAM (Random Access Memory):-
• can be read from or written to at any time provided power is
there.
• Data is considered volatile because it is lost when power goes.
• Static RAM:- retains data as long as memory is powered.
• Dynamic RAM:- consists of capacitor storage of data that must
be refreshed (rewritten) periodically because of the charge
leakage.

2. ROM (Read Only Memory):-

• permanent storage of data that CPU can read but CPU cannot
write data on ROM.
• ROM does not require a power supply to retain its data so
called non volatile memory.

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Memory:- Classification (…)
3. EPROM (Erasable & Programmable ROM):-
• data stored can be erased with ultraviolet light through a
transparent window at the top of the EPROM IC.
• Then new data can be stored on the EPROM.
4. EEPROM (Electrically Erasable & Programmable ROM)
• Uses a special programming pin (usually uses higher voltage) to
erase then write new program.
5. Flash ROM
• Like EEPROM but faster and cheaper
• Limited write cycles (but in the several thousands)

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Input / Output
• Communication to and from the microprocessor occurs through
I/O devices connected to the bus.
• External computer peripheral I/O devices are keyboards, printers,
displays, modems, network device.
• For Mechatronic applications A/D, D/A and digital I/O provides
interfaces to switches, sensors and actuators.
• Since the speed and characteristic of the peripheral devices differ
with microprocessor, microprocessor are connected via an
interface chip.
• Microprocessor accept valid data from interface chip which is
indicated by the interrupt or polling (status bit set to 1).
– Polling is the process of repeated checking each peripheral device to see if
it is ready to send or accept a new byte of data.

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Microcontroller
• Microprocessor having memory,
input/output arrangements all
on same chip are called
microcontrollers.
• It is equipped with a number of
pins each for various purposes
such as:
• Input/Outputs
• Power
• Clock
• Control signals

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Microcontrollers

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Motorola M68HC11

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Intel 8051

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 END
Thank You!
• Good luck with your
project work and final
exam!

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