Microcontroller

BY:
Engr.Sajjad Ahmed Bhatti
 What is Microcontroller?

• A microcontroller is a computer-on-a-chip used to control

electronic devices.

• The microcontroller integrates all the features that are found in

microprocessor.

• The microcontroller has built in ROM, RAM, Input Output ports,

Serial Port, timers, interrupts and clock circuit.

• A microcontroller is an entire computer manufactured on a single

chip.

• Microcontrollers are usually dedicated devices embedded within

an application.
Microcontroller figure
Microcontroller block
diagram

Control
ROM
store
Reset
control

Clock and
timing RAM

Microcontroller block diagram

 What is Microcontroller…..

• Microcontrollers are also known as embedded systems,

for these self-contained chips feature everything from a
processor and memory to input/output peripherals.

• A microcontroller is available in different word lengths

like microprocessors (4bit,8bit,16bit,32bit,64bit and 128-
bit microcontrollers are available today).

• MCUs or microcontroller units are widely used in office

machinery, toys, transaction machines, medical
equipment, engine control systems, home appliances and
other embedded systems to perform specific tasks.
 What is Microcontroller?.....
• It was specially built for embedded system and consisted of
read write memory, read only memory, I/O ports, processor and
built in clock.

• C/C++ ,Python, Java, Matlab and assembly languages are used

to program the microcontrollers.

• Any application which involves measuring, controlling, and

displaying contains a microcontroller chip inside it.

• Microcontrollers come with a wide range of applications but it

depends on you to decide what task you want to achieve with
the help of microcontroller because it will only take
instructions in the form of programming language.
 Where Microcontroller used?

• Microcontrollers are used in embedded systems,

basically a variety of products and devices that are
combination of hardware and software, and
developed to perform particular functions.

• A few examples of embedded systems where

microcontrollers are used, could be – washing
machines, vending machines, microwaves, digital
cameras, automobiles, medical equipment, smart
phones, smart watches, robots and various home
appliances.
 Components of Microcontroller

A microcontroller basically contains one or more following

components:

• Central processing unit(CPU)

• Random Access Memory)(RAM)
• Read Only Memory(ROM)
• Input/output ports
• Timers and Counters
• Interrupt Controls
• Analog to digital converters
• Digital analog converters
• Serial interfacing ports
• Oscillatory circuits
Microcontroller structure
 Microcontroller Classification
• Based on memory, architecture, and word size, microcontrollers
are classified into various types. Some are as follow.
 Classification based on Bits
• Microcontrollers come in 8 bit, 16 bit, 32 bit and 64 bit.
• 8 bit microcontroller is capable of executing smaller
arithmetic and logic instructions. Most common 8 bit
microcontrollers are atmel 8031 and 8051.
• In contrast to 8 bit microcontroller, 16 bit
microcontroller executes program with higher accuracy.
Most common 16 bit microcontroller is 8096.
• 32 bit microcontroller is applied into automatic control
systems and robotics where high durability and
reliability is required. Office machines and some power
and communication systems use 32 bit controller to
execute different instructions.
 Classification based on Memory

• Based on memory, microcontrollers are divided into two types

i.e. external memory microcontrollers and embedded memory
microcontrollers.

• When embedded system needs both microcontroller and external

functioning block that is not incorporated in microcontroller, then
microcontroller is called external memory microcontroller.

• 8031 is a great example of external memory microcontroller.

• When all functioning blocks are incorporated in a single chip that

is connected with embedded system, then microcontroller is
called embedded memory microcontrollers. 8051 is a great
example of embedded memory microcontrollers.
 Classification based on Instruction set

• Based on instruction set, microcontrollers are classified

into two types i.e CISC-CISC and RISC-RISC.

• CISC is referred as complex instruction set computer.

One valid instruction is enough to replace number of
instructions.

• RISC is referred as reduced instruction set

computer. RISC helps in reducing the operation time of
executing the program. It does it by reducing the clock
cycle per instruction.
Types of Microcontrollers
 8051 Microcontrollers
• Most commonly used microcontrollers are belonged
to 8051 family.
• 8051 microcontrollers are considered as an ideal
choice for most of the professionals.
• Invented by Intel, 8051 microcontroller consists of
two members including 8052 and 8031.
• 8052 consists of 256 bytes RAM. It include same
features as that of 8051 microcontrollers.
• You can also consider 8051 as a subset of 8052
microcontroller..
• Similarly, 8031 show same features as that of 8051
except ROM.
 8051 Microcontrollers Architecture

• 8051 microcontroller is a 40 pin 8 bit microcontroller

invented by Intel in 1981.
• 8051 comes with 128 bytes of RAM and 4KB of built in
ROM.
• Based on priorities, 64 KB external memory can be
incorporated with the microcontroller.
• A crystalline oscillator is embedded on this microcontroller
which comes with a frequency of 12 MHz.
• Two 16 bit timers are integrated in this microcontroller that
can be used as a timer as well as a counter.
• 8051 consists of 5 interrupts including External interrupt 0,
external interrupt 1, Timer interrupt 0, timer interrupt 1 and
Serial port interrupt.
8051 Microcontrollers Architecture
 PIC Microcontrollers

• Micro-chip technology invented Peripheral Interface

Controller (PIC) which is very common among most
of the professionals and experts.

• Micro-chip Technology is very concerned with the

needs and requirements of the customers so they
constantly keep upgrading their products in order to
provide good service.

• Low cost, serial programmable ability, and wide

availability make this microcontroller more essential.
 PIC Microcontrollers Architecture

• PIC microcontroller supports Harvard architecture.

• It consists of ROM, CPU, serial communication, timers and
counters, oscillators, interrupts, I/O ports and set of
registers that also behave as a RAM.
• Special purpose registers are also incorporated on chip
hardware.
• Low power consumption makes this controller an ideal
choice for an industrial purpose.
• Low specification computer is enough to run the software
that is capable of programming the PIC microcontroller
circuit.
• Serial port or USB port is used to connect the computer
with the microcontroller.
 AVR Microcontrollers

• AVR is referred as Advances Virtual RISC

which was produced by Atmel in 1966.

• It supports Harvard Architecture in which

program and data is stored in different spaces
of microcontroller and can easily be accessed.

• It is considered as earlier types of controllers

in which on-chip flash is used for storing
program.
 AVR Microcontrollers Architecture

• The AT90S8515 was the first controller that was based on

AVR architecture.

• However, AT90S1200 was the first AVR microcontroller

that was commercially available in 1997.

• The flash, EEPROM and SRAM all are integrated on a

single chip, which removes the possibility of joining any
external memory with the controller.

• This controller has a regulator timer and many power saving

sleep modes that make this controller reliable and user-
friendly.
Comparison between Microprocessor and Microcontroller
Comparison between Microprocessor and Microcontroller
 Advantages of Microcontrollers

• Microcontrollers act as a microcomputer without

any digital parts.
• As the higher integration inside microcontroller
reduces cost and size of the system.
• Usage of a microcontroller is simple, easy to
troubleshoot and system maintaining.
• Most of the pins are programmable for performing
different functions.
• Easily interface additional RAM, ROM,I/O ports.
• Low time required for performing operations.
 Disadvantages of Microcontrollers

• Microcontrollers have got more complex

architecture than that of microprocessors.

• Only perform a limited number of executions

simultaneously.

• Mostly used in micro-equipments.

• Cannot interface high power devices directly.

 Applications of Microcontrollers
• Peripheral controller of a PC
• Robotics and Embedded systems
• Bio-medical equipment
• Communication and power systems
• Automobiles and security systems
• Fixed medical equipment
• Fire detection devices
• Temperature and light sensing devices
• Industrial automation devices
• Process control devices
• Measuring and Controlling revolving objects