Difference between revisions of "Microcontrollers"

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m (Microcontrollers moved to Microcontroller: singlular page name is easier to link to than plural.)
(a few definitions and general information.)
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the beginning of the rearrangement of the IC page
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=Microcontrollers=
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First, a few definitions:
  
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* a '''CPU''' is something that can execute software programs. The earliest CPUs were built out of many parts, but now most CPUs are microprocessors.
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* a '''microprocessor''' is a kind of CPU that all fits on one [[integrated circuit]]. The earliest microprocessors, and some famous kinds of microprocessors still being made, fill the entire chip, and so require external RAM and ROM/FLASH memory. But now most CPUs sold are microcontrollers[http://www.circuitcellar.com/library/designforum/silicon_update/3/index.asp].
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* A '''microcontroller''' is a kind of microprocessor that, in addition to the CPU, also includes RAM and ROM/FLASH memory on a single die/package.
  
=Microcontrollers=
 
  
 
Microcontrollers are little computers on a single Die/Package.  The computer includes a CPU core, RAM, ROM/FLASH, and peripherals including UARTS, A/D converters, SPI, and I2C. Microcontrollers differ from microprocessors in that the microporcessors generally have bigger more powerful central processing units, but need support chips for ram, rom and other peripherals.  Most modern microcontrollers use FLASH ram instead of a ROM so they can be programmed over and over.  Many modern microcontrollers allow self-flashing to enable bootloading or a firmware update without pulling the chip from the circuit or using a programmer/debugger. Microcontrollers tend to be more optimizated for writting in assembly then PCs, but C and less so Basic are becoming the standard programming languages.
 
Microcontrollers are little computers on a single Die/Package.  The computer includes a CPU core, RAM, ROM/FLASH, and peripherals including UARTS, A/D converters, SPI, and I2C. Microcontrollers differ from microprocessors in that the microporcessors generally have bigger more powerful central processing units, but need support chips for ram, rom and other peripherals.  Most modern microcontrollers use FLASH ram instead of a ROM so they can be programmed over and over.  Many modern microcontrollers allow self-flashing to enable bootloading or a firmware update without pulling the chip from the circuit or using a programmer/debugger. Microcontrollers tend to be more optimizated for writting in assembly then PCs, but C and less so Basic are becoming the standard programming languages.
  
 
==General==
 
==General==
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Many hobbyists use microcontrollers, sometimes even multiple microcontrollers, in their [[projects]].
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Prices have fallen below $5 for the cheapest 32-bit microcontroller and below $1 for the cheapest 8-bit microcontroller.
  
 
''I've written a little about the various kinds of microcontrollers at [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Embedded_Systems/Particular_Microprocessors Wikibooks: Embedded Systems]. --[[User:DavidCary|DavidCary]] 06:15, 10 March 2007 (PST)''
 
''I've written a little about the various kinds of microcontrollers at [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Embedded_Systems/Particular_Microprocessors Wikibooks: Embedded Systems]. --[[User:DavidCary|DavidCary]] 06:15, 10 March 2007 (PST)''
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About 55% of all CPUs sold in the world are 8-bit microcontrollers. Over 2 billion 8-bit microcontrollers were sold in 1997.[http://www.circuitcellar.com/library/designforum/silicon_update/3/index.asp]
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''(Anyone have more up-to-date statistics?)''
  
  

Revision as of 11:49, 22 February 2008

Microcontrollers

First, a few definitions:

  • a CPU is something that can execute software programs. The earliest CPUs were built out of many parts, but now most CPUs are microprocessors.
  • a microprocessor is a kind of CPU that all fits on one integrated circuit. The earliest microprocessors, and some famous kinds of microprocessors still being made, fill the entire chip, and so require external RAM and ROM/FLASH memory. But now most CPUs sold are microcontrollers[1].
  • A microcontroller is a kind of microprocessor that, in addition to the CPU, also includes RAM and ROM/FLASH memory on a single die/package.


Microcontrollers are little computers on a single Die/Package. The computer includes a CPU core, RAM, ROM/FLASH, and peripherals including UARTS, A/D converters, SPI, and I2C. Microcontrollers differ from microprocessors in that the microporcessors generally have bigger more powerful central processing units, but need support chips for ram, rom and other peripherals. Most modern microcontrollers use FLASH ram instead of a ROM so they can be programmed over and over. Many modern microcontrollers allow self-flashing to enable bootloading or a firmware update without pulling the chip from the circuit or using a programmer/debugger. Microcontrollers tend to be more optimizated for writting in assembly then PCs, but C and less so Basic are becoming the standard programming languages.

General

Many hobbyists use microcontrollers, sometimes even multiple microcontrollers, in their projects. Prices have fallen below $5 for the cheapest 32-bit microcontroller and below $1 for the cheapest 8-bit microcontroller.

I've written a little about the various kinds of microcontrollers at Wikibooks: Embedded Systems. --DavidCary 06:15, 10 March 2007 (PST)


About 55% of all CPUs sold in the world are 8-bit microcontrollers. Over 2 billion 8-bit microcontrollers were sold in 1997.[2] (Anyone have more up-to-date statistics?)


PIC

The best microcontroller.


External Links:

AVR

AVR or Atmel. The best microcontroller.

  • Atmel AVR 8 bit FLASH microcontrollers

Development Board

Cypress

  • Cypress PSoC 8 bit FLASH microcontrollers. The best microcontroller.

External Links:

Other Needs to be Organized


  • Main Page May have been a one man effort, now dropped. Has a bit of content that looks good.