Chapter 6

Microcontrollers
and
Microprocessors
Microcontroller
 The microcontroller is the integration of a microprocessor with
memory and input/output interfaces, and other peripherals such as
timers, on a single chip.
 A microcontroller is an integrated microprocessor chip with many I/O
interfaces.
 The general microcontroller has pin for external connections of inputs
and outputs, power, clock and control signals.
 The pin for the inputs and outputs are grouped into units called
input/output ports.
Cont..
 Microprocessors which have memory and various input/output
arrangements all on the same chip are called microcontrollers.
 Systems using microprocessors basically have three parts:
 Central processing unit(CPU): to recognize and carry out program
instructions (this is the part which uses the microprocessor),
 Input and output interfaces: to handle communications between the
microprocessor and the outside world (the term port is used for the
interface), and
 Memory: to hold the program instructions and data.
 Digital signals move from one section to another along paths called
buses.
Buses
Digital signals move from one section to another along paths called buses.
There are three forms of bus in a microprocessor
1. Data bus: carries the data associated with the processing function of the CPU.
 It is used to transport a word to or from the CPU and the memory or the
input/output interfaces.
 Each wire in the bus carries a binary signal, i.e. a 0 or a 1.
2. Address bus: carries signals which indicate where data is to be found and so
the selection of certain memory locations or input or output ports.
 Each storage location within a memory device has a unique
identification, termed its address, so that the system is able to select a
particular instruction or data item in the memory.
 Each input/output interface also has an address.
3. Control bus: carries the signals relating to control actions.
 Parts of microcontroller
1. Central Processing Unit (CPU): is generally referred to as the
microprocessor
• It is that part of the processor system which processes the data
fetching instructions from memory, decoding them and executing
them.
 Cont..
 Constituent parts of a micro processor (CPU) and their
function
1. Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU): is responsible for performing the
data
manipulation.
2. Registers: are memory locations within the microprocessor and are
used to store (temporarily) information involved in program execution.
• This register contains the address of the memory location that
contains the next program instruction.
3. Control unit: determines the timing and sequence of operations.
Cont..
2. Memory: hold the program instructions and data
 Stores binary data and takes the form of one or more integrated circuits.
 The data may be program instruction codes or numbers being operated
on.
The size of the memory is determined by the number of wires in the
address bus.
The memory elements in a unit consist essentially of large numbers of
storage cells with each cell capable of storing either 0 or 1 bit.
The storage cells are grouped in locations with each location capable of
storing one word.
In order to access the stored word, each location is identified by a unique
address.
Cont..
3. Input and output interfaces:
 The input/output operation is defined as the transfer of data between
the microprocessor and the external world.
 Input Devices
Switches and Keypads
Provide binary information to the MPU
 Output devices
LEDs and LCDs
Receive binary information from the MPU