MICROCONTROLLERS AND MICROPROCESSORS

The contrast between a Microprocessor and Microcontroller is best exemplified by the fact that most microprocessors have many opcodes for moving data from external memory to CPU; Microcontroller have one or two.

Microprocessor may have one or two types of bit handling instructions; Microcontroller will have many. Microprocessors are concerned with rapid movement of code and data from external address to the chip. Microprocessor must have many additional parts to be optional. Micro controllers can function as a computer with addition of no external digital parts.

Microprocessors are intended to be general-purpose digital computer where as Microcontroller are intended to be special purpose digital controllers. Microprocessors contain a CPU, memory, addressing circuits and interrupt handling data. Micro controllers have these features as well as timers, parallel and serial I\O, Internal RAM and ROM.

INTRODUCTION TO EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

Embedded system is any electronic equipment built in intelligence and dedicated software. All embedded systems use either a microprocessor or a microcontroller. The application of these micro controllers makes user-friendly cheaper solutions and enables to add features otherwise impossible to provide by other means.

Embedded devices can be defined as any devices with a microprocessor or microcontroller embedded in it that has a relatively focused.

functionality. The software for the Embedded System is called firmware. The firmware is written in Assembly language for time or resource critical operation or using higherlevel languages like C or Embedded C. The software will be simultaneously micro code simulations for the largest processor. Since they are supported to perform only specific task, these programs are stored in Read Only Memories (ROMs). Moreover they may need no or minimal inputs from the user, hence the user interface like monitor, mouse & large keyboard etc. may be absent.

Embedded system are also known as Real time Systems since they respond to an input or event and produce the result within the guaranteed time period. This time period can be a few microseconds to days or months.

Embedded system developments:

In the development of Embedded System application the hardware and software must go hand in hand. The software created by the software engineers must be burnt into or micro coded into the hardware or the micro controller produced by VLSI engineers. The micro controller and the software micro coded in it together form the system for the particular application.

The software program for real time system is written either in assembly or highlevel language such as C. The assembly language is used in the case of some critical

applications. Now days high-level languages replace most of the assembly language constructs.

EMEBEDDED SYSTEM MARKETS

Embedded technology is present in almost every electronic device we use today. There is embedded software inside the cellular phone, automobiles and thermostat in air conditioners, industrial control equipments and scientific & medical equipments, defense uses communication satellites etc. Embedded technology thus covers a broad range of products of which generalization is difficult.

The embedded intelligence can be found in five broad markets. The first is consumer segment, which includes home appliances and entertainment equipment. The second is automotive segment-where a modern car has nearly 50 micro controllers providing intelligence and control, like keyless entry, antilock braking and air bags. The third is office automation, which includes PCs, keyboards, copiers and printers. The fourth market, telecommunications, includes cellular phones, pagers and answering machines.

ADVANTAGES OF EMBEDDED SYSTEM

Higher Performance: The integration of various ICs shortens the traveling

route and time of data to be transmitted resulting in higher performance.

Lower Power Consumption: The integration of various ICs eliminates buffers

and other interface circuits. As the number of components is reduced, less power will be consumed.

Slimmer and more compact: Housed in a single separate package, the chip is

smaller in size and therefore occupies less space on the PCB. Hence products using embedded system are slimmer and more compact.

Reduced design and development:

The system on a chip provides all

functionality required by the system. System designers need not worry about the basic function the system-right from the beginning of the basic phase, they can focus on the development features. As a result, the time spends on research and development is reduced and this in turn reduces the time to market of their products.

Lower system costs: In the past, several chips in separate packages where

required to configure a system. Now, just one system on-chip can replace all of these, dramatically reducing the packaging cost.

There are many MCU manufacturers. To understand apply general concepts, it is necessary to study one type in detail. In our project, we use PIC series IC PIC16F877 from MICROCHIP.