STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF

MICROPROCESSOR/
MICROCONTROLLER
EE311 MICROPROCESSOR SYSTEMS
MICROPROCESSOR
What is Microprocessor

• central unit of a computer system

- performs arithmetic and logic operations
Simply known as:
• a processor;
• a central processing unit; or as
• a logic chip
What is Microprocessor

• the engine or the brain of the computer

that goes into motion when the
computer is switched on
• programmable, multipurpose device
that incorporates the functions of a CPU
on a single IC
How Does a Microprocessor Work?

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

How Does a Microprocessor Work?
Benefits of a Microprocessor

• Low cost
• High-speed
• Low power consumption
• Portable
• Reliable
• Versatile
Common Terms Used
Common Terms used

WORD LENGTH
- Number of bits in the processor’s
internal bus
Common Terms used

INSTRUCTION SET
- Series of commands that a
microprocessor can understand
Common Terms used

CACHE MEMORY
- Used to store data or instruction that the
software or program frequently
references during operation.
Common Terms used

CLOCK SPEED
- The speed at which microprocessor is
able to execute instructions.
Common Terms used

BUS
- Term used to describe the set of
conductors that transmit data or that
address or control information to the
microprocessor’s different elements.
Categories of
Microprocessors
Categories of Microprocessors

Based on Word Length

- based on the number of bits the
processor's internal data bus or the number
of bits that it can process at a time
Categories of Microprocessors

Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC)

- a microprocessor that is designed to
perform a smaller number of types of
computer instructions so that it can operate
at a higher speed
Categories of Microprocessors
Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC)
-Its purpose is to reduce the number of
instructions for each program
- use little RAM, have more transistors, have
fewer registers, have numerous clock
cycles for each instruction, and have a
variety of addressing modes.
Categories of Microprocessors

Special Purpose Processors

- Some microprocessors are built to perform
specific functions.
MICROCONTROLLER
What is a Microcontroller?

•VLSI IC that contains:

- electronic computing unit and logic
unit
- Memory
- I/O Ports
- other components integrated on a
single chip
What is a Microcontroller?
Microcontroller

•“Computer-on-a-Chip”
•“Single-Chip-Computer”
•“Embedded Controller”
Microcontroller

•Storing
•Calculating
•Controlling
•Displaying information
•others
Microcontroller

• Multimeters
• Oscilloscopes
• Function Generators
• others
Microcontroller

• Printers
• Routers
• Modems
• Keyboards
• others
Basics of
Microcontrollers
Components of microcontroller
• Central Processing Unit • I/O Ports (I/O –
(CPU) Input/Output)
• Program Memory (ROM – • Serial Communication
Read Only Memory) Interface
• Data Memory (RAM – • Clock Circuit (Oscillator
Random Access Memory) Circuit)
• Timers and Counters • Interrupt Mechanism
Basic Structure of a
Microcontroller
Central Processing Unit (CPU)

- the brain of the Microcontroller.

- It consists of an Arithmetic Logic Unit
(ALU) and a Control Unit (CU).
- A CPU reads, decodes and executes
instructions to perform Arithmetic, Logic
and Data Transfer operations.
Memory

PROGRAM MEMORY DATA MEMORY

- contains the - required to store
program temporary data while
- ROM executing the
instructions
- RAM
- R/W M
I/O Ports

- The interface for the Microcontroller to

the external world is provided by the I/O
Ports or Input/Output Ports
Bus

- A System bus is a group of connecting

wire that connect the CPU with other
peripherals like Memory, I/O Ports and
other supporting components.
Timers/Counters

-provide the operations of Time Delays

and counting external events.
-Timers and Counters can provide
Function Generation, Pulse Width
Modulation, Clock Control, etc.
Serial Port

- serial communication
- to communicate with other device and
peripherals (external)
Interrupts

- A very important feature of a

Microcontroller is Interrupts and its
Interrupt Handling Mechanism. Interrupts
can be external, internal, hardware-
related or software-related.
ADC (Analog to Digital Converter)
- Analog to Digital Converter or ADC is a
circuit that converts Analog signals to
Digital Signals
- Almost all sensors are analog devices
and the analog data from these sensors
must be converted into digital data for
the CPU to understand
DAC (Digital to Analog Converter)

- it converts Digital Signals to Analog

Signals.
- DAC forms the bridge between the CPU
of the Microcontroller and the external
analog devices.
Applications of Microcontrollers
•Front Panel Controls in devices like Oven,
washing Machine etc.
•Function Generators
•Smoke and Fire Alarms
•Home Automation Systems
•Automatic Headlamp ON in Cars
•Speed Sensed Door Locking System