1. Introduction to Microcontrollers Dr. Konstantinos Tatas
Lecture 1
Introduction to Microcontrollers
Dr. Konstantinos Tatas
ACOE343 - Real-Time Embedded Processor Systems - Frederick University

2. Components of a microprocessor/controller
CPU: Central Processing Unit
I/O: Input /Output
Bus: Address bus & Data bus
Memory: RAM & ROM
Timer
Interrupt
Serial Port
Parallel Port
ACOE343 - Real-Time Embedded Processor Systems - Frederick University

3. General-purpose microprocessor:
CPU for Computers
Commonly no RAM, ROM, I/O on CPU chip itself
Many chips on motherboard
Data Bus
CPU
General-Purpose Micro-processor
Serial COM Port
I/O Port
Intel’s x86: 8086,8088,80386,80486, Pentium
Motorola’s 680x0: 68000, 68010, 68020,68030,6040
RAM
ROM
Timer
Address Bus
ACOE343 - Real-Time Embedded Processor Systems - Frederick University

4. ACOE343 - Real-Time Embedded Processor Systems - Frederick University
Microcontroller :
A single-chip computer
On-chip RAM, ROM, I/O ports...
Example：Motorola’s 6811, Intel’s 8051, Zilog’s Z8 and PIC 16X
CPU
RAM
ROM
A single chip
Serial COM Port
I/O Port
Timer
Microcontroller
ACOE343 - Real-Time Embedded Processor Systems - Frederick University

5. ACOE343 - Real-Time Embedded Processor Systems - Frederick University
Microprocessor vs. Microcontroller
Microcontroller
CPU, RAM, ROM, I/O and timer are all on a single chip
fixed amount of on-chip ROM, RAM, I/O ports
for applications in which cost, power and space are critical
single-purpose (control-oriented)
Low processing power
Low power consumption
Bit-level operations
Instruction sets focus on control and bit-level operations
Typically 8/16 bit
Typically single-cycle/two-stage pipeline
Microprocessor
CPU is stand-alone, RAM, ROM, I/O, timer are separate
designer can decide on the amount of ROM, RAM and I/O ports.
expensive
versatility
general-purpose
High processing power
High power consumption
Instruction sets focus on processing-intensive operations
Typically 32/64 – bit
Typically deep pipeline (5-20 stages)
versatility 多用途的: any number of applications for PC
ACOE343 - Real-Time Embedded Processor Systems - Frederick University

6. Some Popular Microcontrollers…
8051
Microchip Technology PIC
Atmel AVR
Texas Instruments MSP430 (16-bit)
ACOE343 - Real-Time Embedded Processor Systems - Frederick University

7. ACOE343 - Real-Time Embedded Processor Systems - Frederick University
Review questions
What are the main differences between a microprocessor and a microcontroller in terms of
Architecture
Applications
Instruction set
ACOE343 - Real-Time Embedded Processor Systems - Frederick University

8. ACOE343 - Real-Time Embedded Processor Systems - Frederick University
Example
A uP running at 600 MHz has an average CPI of 1.2 and a average power consumption of 400 mW, while a uC running at 12 MHz with a two cycle datapath has a power consumption of 24 mW.
Calculate their respective MIPS
Which one is more efficient in MIPS/mW?
ACOE343 - Real-Time Embedded Processor Systems - Frederick University

9. ACOE343 - Real-Time Embedded Processor Systems - Frederick University
Example 2
The previous uP costs 100$, while the respective uC costs 0.96 $
Which is more efficient in MIPS/$?
ACOE343 - Real-Time Embedded Processor Systems - Frederick University