How Microprocessors and Microcontrollers Differ?
Computers in the modern day are highly advanced, featuring a number of state-of-the-art electronics and IT hardware that make the various capabilities of the system possible. One of the most important inventions for computers was the microprocessor, that of which highly changed how we are able to view, analyze, and manipulate data and information. Microprocessors are often conflated with microcontrollers, those of which are components that were created as a byproduct of microprocessor development. Despite both electronic parts featuring similar names and being present in many of the same systems and devices, they both perform separate and distinct roles. In this blog, we will discuss the microprocessor and microcontroller in more detail, allowing you to better understand how each benefits computers and integrated circuits.
A microprocessor can be understood as the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer, that of which is fabricated on a single integrated circuit. While very compact, the microprocessor is immensely powerful, handling the arithmetic and logical operations to effectively manage computer instructions, data storage, output operations, and much more. While the first microprocessor released in 1971 was fairly simplistic and limited in its ability, modern microprocessors are highly advanced.
There are five main components that comprise a standard microprocessor, and these include the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU), registers, the control unit, the instruction decoder, and the data bus. When installed in a computer, a microprocessor will repeatedly carry out instruction cycles, performing fetching, decoding, and execution operations. To handle a great amount of information, many current microprocessors feature high clock frequencies that are in the order of GigaHertz.
While the microprocessor is a highly advanced device, it cannot conduct every operation on its own. As a result, the microprocessor requires RAM, ROM, ports, and other various hardware. For the sake of large scale appliance manufacturing, the microcontroller was developed to feature the various hardware required by the microprocessor to function as a complete system. Microcontrollers are embedded systems within a computer, and they most often comprise a CPU, timers, input and output ports, and memory.
When shopping for such components, microcontrollers will most often be classified in accordance with their instruction sets, memory structure, and bus width. The bus width is an important characteristic that determines whether the microcontroller is 8-, 16-, or 32-bit. For memory structure, microcontrollers may follow one of two architectures, either being based on von Neumann or Harvard attributes. Lastly, the memory of the microcontroller can be embedded or external, the latter requiring an external chip for functionality. External memory is quite rare for modern microcontrollers as most are now designed with embedded memory. When compared to the microprocessor, a microcontroller exhibits a much lower clock frequency and speed, though it does not require equivalent capabilities as it performs less tasks.
If you have a computer system or appliance that requires the use of microprocessors, microcontrollers, and other integrated circuit hardware, we at ASAP Semiconductor can help you procure everything you need with ample time and cost savings. Take the time to explore over 2 billion new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find items that are readily available for purchase at any time. If there are particular items you are interested in, we encourage you to take advantage of our online RFQ service for requesting quotes for your comparisons. With information such as your target price and expected shipping time frame, we can best formulate a customized solution that takes your needs into account. Once we receive a completed request form, you should expect a response from one of our team members in just 15 minutes or less, 24/7x365.
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