I don't think there's any strict definition and as processors become more powerful the distinctions change. Originally a microprocressor was a 4 or 8 bit processor with external ram and rom or prom but few other external components. The first I used extensively were in racks of cards with separate cards for 1 bit ram and rom chips. They were 4 or 8 bit processors. Now they commonly include the ram and prom and may have 16 bit processors. As processors become more powerful and more functions are integrated into the processor the distinctions are becoming blured. I don't know whether some of the highly integrated powerful processors in portable devices would be called microprocessors.
But seriously, the distinction between a uController and a Microprocessor is in a uController everything is self contained within one package. A Microprocessor is merely the processing component to a larger system composed of such things as RAM, program memory, peripheral devices such as UART, Data Buffer, parallel port(s), and any number of real-world interfaces.
A uController contains all of that in one package, including the following typical components: * PWM/Capture/Compare * ADC * Timers/RTCC/Watchdog * Serial interface (such as UART/USART/SPI/I²C) * EEPROM * etc.
This is a good general rule but they problem comes with "typical". I know of counter examples to this, especially historically, so it can be only a marketing distinction.
It is like. Recording device. You record information into IC. To make it work as you want. I like pic-micro controller it easy to use for example 16F84 (old IC)
To classify it as a "Recording Device" is misleading. They generally _do_ have the ability to record _information_, but that can be view two ways. # You can, likely, program a uController to do a _data logging_ type operation, or even a record sound or the like (if there is sufficient internal memory). # You can store code that manipulates the uController - but that is rarely referred to as _recording_ [standard terms: _burn_, _write_, _program_, even _upload_].
"A microcontroller (sometimes abbreviated µC, uC or MCU) is a small computer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form of NOR flash or OTP ROM is also often included on chip, as well as a typically small amount of RAM. Microcontrollers are designed for embedded applications, in contrast to the microprocessors used in personal computers or other general purpose applications."
They do say Program memory ... is also often included ... as well as a typically small amounts of RAM. They seem to indicate the distinction is the application, whether it's embedded v.s. personal computers or general purpose.
That distinction is getting vague. Is the controller in a phone that's capable of running applications (programs) a microprocessor or a microcontroller? How about a small system that uses the cloud for computing?
Most microprocessors have both internal rom for such things as a boot loader and ram for registers such as the program counter, though I realize that is putting too fine a point on it.
I think the distinction can be determined with the following test:
Can the device store a program and by following it, do meaningful work on it's own?
A µProcessor has no way to store a program on it's own that it can execute by it's self. A µController can. In other words, a µProcessor requires supporting components to function, whereas a µController doesn't.
1. What is a browser? 2. What is a server? 3. What is a client? 4. What is a uniform recourse locator? 5. How do I use a search engine 6. What’s a switch 7. What’s is meant by logic one and logic zero 8. What is a register 9. What is an instruction counter 10. What is memory 11. What is a micro processor? 12: Addressing Offset Addressing 13: Bits , Bytes , nibbles 14: Boolean Logic predicate calculus 15: binary adders , half adders, mux demux 16: Protocols Packets , ports , TCPIP 17: Object metholidgy 18: High level langauges 19: Assembler , number bases, more maths , octal , binary , hexidecamal 20: IO Streams 21: Tables ; how to implement 22: Computer systems organisation 23: Million instructions per second MIPS 24: under number notation How do we represent numbers in on a PC integers , long numbers , floating point numbers 25: IEEE Standards
Now we getting there !!
First Learn the basics
maybe even start with some of the basic langauge to illustrate
Answer for immediate questions after learning what the internet is, what a browser is for, what is meant by HTML and what does this do
Next step is learn what a micro does after you’ve leant how to seek out the information you need
www.parallax.com/dl/docs/books/edu/wamv2_2.pdf or en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcontroller or http://www.futureelectronics.com/en/Microcontrollers/microcontrollers.aspx or electronics.howstuffworks.com/microcontroller1.htm or electronics.howstuffworks.com/microcontroller.htm or www.webopedia.com/TERM/M/microcontroller.html or www.technologystudent.com/pics/picgen1.html or www.societyofrobots.com/microcontroller_tutorial.shtml
Followed by THE FETCH, DECODE, EXECUTE CYCLE OF A MICRO giving you the basics of how a micro , cpu works
From your TV remote control to a mobile ringtone. Microcontroller is everywhere. It is nothing but an electronic circuit.
Microcontrollers are basically one type of IC od integrated Circuit. It is structured by basic logic gates in one complex design. What it does is to take one or more inputs and controls the operation according to the instructions. It's range if essentially from 7 to 40 pins.
Basically it consists of (CPU , MEMORY and I/O peripherals) so you can consider it as a small computer with less complexity and calculations power than that in a normal computer. Usually you write a program to do a specific task and burn it into the microcontroller memory. Then the microcontroller execute this program.
A microcontroller (MCU) is a compact integrated circuit designed as a small computer on a single chip, containing a processor core, memory (such as flash, EEPROM, or ROM), and programmable input/output peripherals. Unlike microprocessors, which require external components like RAM, program memory, and peripheral interfaces to function, microcontrollers integrate these elements internally, enabling standalone operation. Typical microcontroller components include CPU, RAM, program memory, timers, ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter), PWM modules, serial interfaces (UART, USART, SPI, I²C), watchdog timers, and EEPROM. Microcontrollers are primarily used in embedded applications, controlling devices by executing programmed instructions stored in internal memory. They vary in bit-width (commonly 4, 8, 16 bits) and pin count (typically 7 to 40 pins). Examples include PIC microcontrollers like the PIC16F84, known for ease of use. The distinction between microcontrollers and microprocessors is becoming less clear as integration increases, but generally, microcontrollers are self-contained systems designed for specific control tasks, whereas microprocessors serve as central processing units requiring external support. Applications range from consumer electronics such as TV remotes and mobile ringtones to industrial control systems. Summary generated by the language model.
