PDR - Unit I

EMBEDDED SYSTEMS AND
ROBOTICS
Microprocessor
• A microprocessor is a computer processor which
incorporates the functions of a computer's central
processing unit (CPU) on a single integrated circuit
(IC), or at most a few integrated circuits.
• The integration of a whole CPU onto a single chip or
on a few chips greatly reduced the cost of processing
power, increasing efficiency.
• Integrated circuit processors are produced in large
numbers by highly automated processes resulting in
a low per unit cost.
• A microprocessor as the term has to be know, is a general-
purpose digital computer central processing unit.
• Popularly know as “computer on a chip”
• To make a complete microcomputer one must add
memory (RAM,ROM), memory decoders, an oscillator and
a number of I/O devices.
• The prime use of microprocessor is to read data, perform
extensive calculations on that data and store those
calculations in a mass storage device or display the
results.
• ALU:
– An arithmetic logic unit (ALU) is a combinational digital electronic circuit that performs
arithmetic and bitwise operations on integer binary numbers.
• Processor register:
– A processor register (CPU register) is one of a small set of data holding places that are part
of the computer processor.
– A register may hold an instruction, a storage address, or any kind of data (such as a bit
sequence or individual characters).
• Accumulator
– In a computer's central processing unit (CPU), an accumulator is a register in which
intermediate arithmetic and logic results are stored.
• program counter
– A program counter is a register in a computer processor that contains the address
(location) of the instruction being executed at the current time.
• stack pointer
– A stack pointer is a small register that stores the address of the last program request in a
stack.
• Program Status Word
– The Program Status Word or PSW is a collection of data 8 bytes (or 64 bits) long,
maintained by the operating system. It keeps track of the current state of the system.
Microcontroller
• A microcontroller is a compact integrated circuit

designed to govern a specific operation in an
embedded system.
• A typical microcontroller includes a processor, memory
and input/output (I/O) peripherals on a single chip.
• A microcontroller (or MCU for microcontroller unit) is a
small computer on a single integrated circuit.
• In modern terminology, it is a system on a chip.
• A microcontroller contains one or more CPUs
(processor cores) along with memory and
programmable input/output peripherals.
• Program memory in the form of Ferroelectric RAM,
NOR flash or OTP ROM is also often included on chip,
as well as a small amount of RAM.
• Microcontrollers are designed for embedded
applications, in contrast to the microprocessors used
in personal computers or other general purpose
applications consisting of various discrete chips.
• It read data, perform limited calculations on
that data and control its environment based on
these calculations.
• The prime use of a microcontroller is to control
the operation of a machine using a fixed
program that is stored in ROM and that does
not change over the lifetime of the system.
Difference between microprocessor and
microcontroller
• Microprocessor is an IC which has only the CPU
inside them i.e. only the processing powers such
as Intel’s Pentium 1,2,3,4, core 2 duo, i3, i5 etc.
• These microprocessors don’t have RAM, ROM,
and other peripheral on the chip.
• A system designer has to add them externally to
make them functional.
• Application of microprocessor includes Desktop
PC’s, Laptops, notepads etc.
• Microprocessor find applications where tasks are
unspecific like developing software, games,
websites, photo editing, creating documents etc.
• In such cases the relationship between input and
output is not defined.
• They need high amount of resources like RAM,
ROM, I/O ports etc.
• The clock speed of the Microprocessor is quite
high as compared to the microcontroller.
• Microcontroller has a CPU, in addition with a fixed
amount of RAM, ROM and other peripherals all
embedded on a single chip.
• At times it is also termed as a mini computer or a
computer on a single chip.
• Today different manufacturers produce
microcontrollers with a wide range of features
available in different versions.
• Some manufacturers are ATMEL, Microchip, TI,
Freescale, Philips, Motorola etc.
• Microcontrollers are designed to perform specific tasks.
• Specific means applications where the relationship of input and
output is defined.
• Depending on the input, some processing needs to be done and
output is delivered.
• For example, keyboards, mouse, washing machine, digicam,
pendrive, remote, microwave, cars, bikes, telephone, mobiles,
watches, etc.
• Since the applications are very specific, they need small resources
like RAM, ROM, I/O ports etc and hence can be embedded on a
single chip.
• This in turn reduces the size and the cost.
Comparing microcontroller and
microprocessor
• Comparing microcontroller and microprocessor in terms of cost is
not justified.
• Undoubtedly a microcontroller is far cheaper than a
microprocessor.
• However microcontroller cannot be used in place of
microprocessor and using a microprocessor is not advised in
place of a microcontroller as it makes the application quite costly.
• Microprocessor cannot be used stand alone.
• They need other peripherals like RAM, ROM, buffer, I/O ports etc
and hence a system designed around a microprocessor is quite
costly.
S.No Microprocessor Microcontroller
1 Most microprocessors have many Microcontroller may have one
operational codes for moving data from or two
external memory to the CPU.
2 It may have one or two type of bit- It will have many

handling instructions
3 Microprocessor is concerned with rapid Microcontroller is concerned

movement of code and data from external with rapid movement of bits
addresses to the chip within the chip.
4 Microprocessor must have many Microcontroller can function as

additional parts to be operational. a computer with the addition of
no external digital parts

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EMBEDDED SYSTEMS AND

• A microcontroller is a compact integrated circuit

2 It may have one or two type of bit- It will have many

3 Microprocessor is concerned with rapid Microcontroller is concerned

4 Microprocessor must have many Microcontroller can function as

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