Similarities and Differences Between Microprocessors & Microcontrollers
Q: When should one use microprocessor and when should one use microcontrollers? Why they are almost the same but yet there are differences? What are the typical applications for microprocessors and microcontrollers? How do both of them support each other and which one has a brighter future and why?
A: The IEEE defines a microprocessor as an integrated circuit that contains the logic elements for manipulating data and for making decisions. They do not have a definition for microcontroller. In practice a microcontroller is a circuit that provides the control for a system. An example is the chip that controls a microwave oven. Typically it is programmed by the manufacturer of the system and not by the end user. A microprocessor is similar, but is typically programmed by the end user. An example of this is the microprocessor that is the heart of a PC.
The same chip could be used either as a microcontroller or as a microprocessor although typically microcontrollers are less general purpose and may have smaller data word sizes and support fewer interfaces.
Microprocessors of one generation may be used as the basis for microcontrollers of the next generation. An example of this is the Intel 8080 which was a widely used microprocessor in the early days of the PC and which was later used for microcontrollers in electronic cash registers.
Since they are so similar, they both have bright futures.
A: The IEEE defines a microprocessor as an integrated circuit that contains the logic elements for manipulating data and for making decisions. They do not have a definition for microcontroller. In practice a microcontroller is a circuit that provides the control for a system. An example is the chip that controls a microwave oven. Typically it is programmed by the manufacturer of the system and not by the end user. A microprocessor is similar, but is typically programmed by the end user. An example of this is the microprocessor that is the heart of a PC.
The same chip could be used either as a microcontroller or as a microprocessor although typically microcontrollers are less general purpose and may have smaller data word sizes and support fewer interfaces.
Microprocessors of one generation may be used as the basis for microcontrollers of the next generation. An example of this is the Intel 8080 which was a widely used microprocessor in the early days of the PC and which was later used for microcontrollers in electronic cash registers.
Since they are so similar, they both have bright futures.