8-bit microcontrollers

05/03/16

CDAC,Mohali

Refreshing material
Different processor architectures..
Microcontrollers Vs microprocessors

05/03/16

CDAC,Mohali

Features of Different processor

Architectures
CISC
Addressing modes.
Variable length inst.

RISC
Load/store Architecture
generally.

No. of clocks >1

Fixed length
instruction

Less general purpose

internal registers

Generally inst.=1 clock

x86,8051

More general purpose

internal registers

05/03/16

PIC,ARM,AVR
CDAC,Mohali

Address space architecture

Memory is needed for programs and data.
Program memory used in embedded systems is typically
of non-volatile type.
Data memory used is SRAM- or DRAM- type volatile
memory.
Von Neumann-architecture:Program and data located in
same address space.
Harvard-architecture:Separate address spaces and buses for
program and data memories.
05/03/16

CDAC,Mohali

Harvard Vs Von Neumann

05/03/16

CDAC,Mohali

Examples
Harvard:
8051
Microchip PIC families
Atmel AVR
Von Neumann:
PCs (Intel 80x86/Pentium)
Motorola 68000
Motorola 68xx uC families

05/03/16

CDAC,Mohali

Microprocessors Vs. Microcontrollers

A microprocessor (uP) is a one-chip CPU such as the
Intel 80x86, or Pentium series, the Motorola 68000 series,
the PowerPC series and so on
These single-chip systems were called microprocessors
because they replaced an older generation which used
multiple chips and even multiple pc boards to perform the
same functions.
A uP needs additional chips such as RAM, ROM, serial
and parallel ports, timers, interrupt controllers and so on
to make a complete cpu (motherboard).
05/03/16

CDAC,Mohali

 A microcontroller (uC) has the CPU and most, if not all

of these peripheral functions built into a single chip.
uCs tend to be much smaller than modern uPs, with
memory in tens of bytes to kilobytes.
uCs can also include other features such as oscillator-onchip, A/D converters, reset circuitry, high current I/O
drive capability, watchdog timers etc.
The benefit of uCs in embedded systems is that complete
systems can be built with a very low component count,
frequently just one chip.

05/03/16

CDAC,Mohali

Programmers insight
uPs have only one or two types of bit handling
instructions whereas uCs have many such instructions.
uPs must have additional ports to be operational as a
computer whereas uCs can function as a computer with
no addition of external digital parts.
uPs have many opcodes for moving data from external
memory to CPU whereas uCs have very few only one
or two such instructions.

05/03/16

CDAC,Mohali

Why use a microcontroller?

Reduce chip count.
Many applications do not require as much computing
power.
Reduced power consumption.
Reduced design cost

05/03/16

CDAC,Mohali

10

Microcontrollers
Microcontrollers come as 4-bit , 8-bit , 16-bit and 32-bit.
Expenses are represented by volume of package and
number of pin count which further depend on basic data
word-bit count, so as the data bits increase, cost of
microcontroller increases.

05/03/16

CDAC,Mohali

11

Eight - Bit Microcontrollers

Useful for small computing tasks
Adequate for many control and monitoring
applications
Used in communications as serial ASCII data is also
stored in byte size.
Most integrated circuit memories arranged in an 8-bit
configuration

05/03/16

CDAC,Mohali

12

Criteria for choosing a microcontroller

1. Speed.
2. Packaging.
3. Power consumption.
4. Amount of ROM and RAM.
5. Number of I/Os and timers.
6. Upgradation..
7. Cost per unit.
8. Availability of tools..& of microcontroller.
05/03/16

CDAC,Mohali

13