What is a microcontroller?
1.2 Why are Microcontrollers used? 2 Getting started 2.1 Parts list and vendors 2.2 Connecting the equipment 3 PIC16fF877 Microcontroller 3.1 Flash PIC development board 3.2 CCS PIC-C compiler 3.3 In Circuit Debugger/Programmer (ICD-S) 3.4 Embedded C Programming and the Microchip PIC 4 Experiments on PIC16F877 4.1 LED 4.2 Dip Switch 4.3 ADC Temperature Measurement 4.4 Open Loop and Closed Loop Temperature Control 5 Where do we go from here? 1. Introduction This tutorial is to introduce the microcontroller technolgy the capabilities and the specifications of a commonly used Microcontroller Microchip PIC16F877 and describe the experiments conducted using the Development board Flash PIC development board which accomodates this microcontroller. 1.1. What is a microcontroller? A microcontroller is a compact standalone computer, optimized for control applications. Entire processor, memory and the I/O interfaces are located on a single piece of silicon so, it takes less time to read and write
For our purposes, a microcontroller is a single integrated circuit (IC) that can be programmed, much like a real computer. Typically, microcontrollers are much smaller than a real computer, in terms of the size of the program or the amount of memory. And the best part is they are much cheaper too! So, there is no mouse, keyboard, or fancy screen. Instead, simple input and output devices, like switches and LEDs, can be connected to specific pins, so they can be accessed by the program running on the microcontroller.
A microcontroller is an integrated chip that is often part of an embedded system. The microcontroller includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, I/O ports, and timers like a standard computer, but because they are designed to execute only a single specific task to control a single system, they are much smaller and simplified so that they can include all the functions required on a single chip. A microcontroller differs from a microprocessor, which is a general-purpose chip that is used to create a multi-function computer or device and requires multiple chips to handle various tasks. A microcontroller is meant to be more self-contained and independent, and functions as a tiny, dedicated computer. The great advantage of microcontrollers, as opposed to using larger microprocessors, is that the parts-count and design costs of the item being controlled can be kept to a minimum. They are typically designed using CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) technology, an efficient fabrication technique tha
TI MSP430 Tags • DSP • Course • Lab • Programming • Basic • Embedded • Assembly • Interrupts This module is included inLens: Texas Instruments MSP430 By: Texas InstrumentsAs a part of collection:”Microcontroller and Embedded Systems Laboratory” Comments: “Basic introduction to microcontroller-based embedded systems development. Includes structured laboratory exercises in the following areas: assembly programming, C language programming, peripheral […]” Click the “TI MSP430” link to see all content affiliated with them. Click the tag icon to display tags associated with this content.
A controller is used to control (makes sense!) some process or aspect of the environment. A typical microcontroller application is the monitoring of my house. As the temperature rises, the controller causes the windows to open. If the temperature goes above a certain threshold, the air conditioner is activated. If the system detects my mother-in-law approaching, the doors are locked and the windows barred. In addition, upon detecting that my computer is turned on, the stereo turns on at a deafening volume (for more on this, see the section on development tools). At one time, controllers were built exclusively from logic components, and were usually large, heavy boxes (before this, they were even bigger, more complex analog monstrosities). Later on, microprocessors were used and the entire controller could fit on a small circuit board. This is still common – you can find many [good] controllers powered by one of the many common microprocessors (including Zilog Z80, Intel 8088, Motorola
