A microchip comprises a strong central processor on a solitary chip while interfacing with an outer fringe; the microcontroller puts a computer chip and peripherals on a solitary chip.
Let’s talk about the differences between microprocessors and microcontrollers, as well as their definitions, types, and functions.
Table of Contents
- What is a microprocessor?
- Types of microprocessors
- What is microcontroller?
- Types of microcontrollers
- Difference between microprocessor and microcontroller
What is a Microprocessor?
A microprocessor is a controlling unit of a micro-computer wrapped inside a small chip. It performs Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU) operations and communicates with the other devices connected with it. It is a single Integrated Circuit in which several functions are combined.
What is Microcontroller?
A chip that is made to control electronic devices is called a microcontroller. It is stored in a single integrated circuit that is designed to carry out a specific function and run a particular application.
It is frequently utilized in electronic devices that are automatically controlled and are designed specifically for embedded applications. It contains memory, processor, and programmable I/O.
Types of Microprocessor
Important types of Microprocessors are:
- Complex Instruction Set Microprocessors
- The Application Specific Integrated Circuit
- Reduced Instruction Set Microprocessors
- Digital Signal Multiprocessors (DSPs)
Types of Microcontroller
Here are important types of Microcontroller:
- 8 bit Microcontroller
- 16 bit Microcontroller
- 32 bit Microcontroller
- Embedded Microcontroller
- External memory Microcontroller
History of Microprocessor
Here, are the important landmark from the history of Microprocessor
- Fairchild Semiconductors invented the first IC (Integrated Circuit) in 1959.
- In 1968, Robert Noyce, Gordan Moore, Andrew Grove found their own company Intel.
- Intel grew from 3 man start-up in 1968 to industrial giant by 1981.
- In 1971, INTEL created the first generation Microprocessor 4004 that would run at a clock speed of 108 kHz
- From 1973 to 1978, second-generation 8-bit microprocessors were fabricated like Motorola 6800 and 6801, INTEL-8085, and Zilog’s-Z80.
- In 1978, Intel 8008 third-generation process came into the market.
- In the early 80s, Intel released fourth-generation 32-bit processors.
- In 1995, intel released in fifth-generation 64-bit processors .
History of Microcontroller
Here, are important landmarks from the history of Microcontroller:
- First used in 1975(Intel 8048)
- The introduction of EEPROM in 1993
- The same year, Atmel introduced the first microcontroller using Flash memory.
Difference Between Microprocessor and Microcontroller
Here is the difference between Microprocessor vs. Microcontroller
| Microprocessor | Microcontroller |
|---|---|
| Microprocessor is the heart of Computer system. | Micro Controller is the heart of an embedded system. |
| It is only a processor, so memory and I/O components need to be connected externally | Micro Controller has a processor along with internal memory and I/O components. |
| Memory and I/O has to be connected externally, so the circuit becomes large. | Memory and I/O are already present, and the internal circuit is small. |
| You can’t use it in compact systems | You can use it in compact systems. |
| Cost of the entire system is high | Cost of the entire system is low |
| Due to external components, the total power consumption is high. Therefore, it is not ideal for the devices running on stored power like batteries. | As external components are low, total power consumption is less. So it can be used with devices running on stored power like batteries. |
| Most of the microprocessors do not have power saving features. | Most of the microcontrollers offer power-saving mode. |
| It is mainly used in personal computers. | It is used mainly in a washing machine, MP3 players, and embedded systems. |
| Microprocessor has a smaller number of registers, so more operations are memory-based. | Microcontroller has more register. Hence the programs are easier to write. |
| Microprocessors are based on Von Neumann model | Micro controllers are based on Harvard architecture |
| It is a central processing unit on a single silicon-based integrated chip. | It is a byproduct of the development of microprocessors with a CPU along with other peripherals. |
| It has no RAM, ROM, Input-Output units, timers, and other peripherals on the chip. | It has a CPU along with RAM, ROM, and other peripherals embedded on a single chip. |
| It uses an external bus to interface to RAM, ROM, and other peripherals. | It uses an internal controlling bus. |
| Microprocessor-based systems can run at a very high speed because of the technology involved. | Microcontroller based systems run up to 200MHz or more depending on the architecture. |
| It’s used for general purpose applications that allow you to handle loads of data. | It’s used for application-specific systems. |
| It’s complex and expensive, with a large number of instructions to process. | It’s simple and inexpensive with less number of instructions to process. |
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