Computing systems 1 (microcontroller vs processor)

a microcontroller is a ____, ____ purpose computer. they can do how many things?

a microcontroller is a TINY, SINGLE PURPOSE

they can do ONE thing well

microcontrollers are ______ in some other device. so a microcontroller can be called an _____ ______

EMBEDDED in another device

EMBEDDED CONTROLLER

microcontrollers are ____ to one task and run one specific program.

where is this program stored, does it change?

dedicated to ONE TASK/PROGRAM

stored in ROM

does not change

microcontrollers are often ___-power devices

LOW POWER

a microcontroller often has what two dedicated devices:

input device and output device

microcontroller size and cost?

small and low cost

microcontroller features (6)

• small

• low cost

• low power

• often has dedicated input/output device

• dedicated to one task, run one specific program stored in ROM (doesn’t change)

• often embedded inside another device (e.g. washing machine)

what does the CPU of a microcontroller have in it

everything:

• EEPROM, timer, CPU, RAM, ROM, input/output

analogue vs digital

analogue: continuous signals

digital: discrete signals

hard disk storage stores data/instructions in the ___ term

LONG TERM

a microprocess is used in a ____ purpose computer, how many programs can it run

general purpose computer, can run thousands of programs

the central chip of a microprocessor has how many peripheral chips

several

what do microprocessors use to control/manage multiple processes at the same time. e.g. on computers

operating system

microcontroller vs microprocessor - 2

microprocessor can run thousands of programs, microcontroller just one

microprocessor has several peripheral chips, microcontroller has everything embedded in the CPU

microcontroller