Difference between revisions of "Microcontroller"

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[[Category:Knowledge Base]]
 
[[Category:Knowledge Base]]
A Microcontroller is a single chip computer. It's core is a [[CPU]], around which there is RAM, Flash memory (for program and constant data) and typically I/O units (Peripherals).
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A Microcontroller is a single chip [[computer]]. It's core is a [[CPU]], around which there is [[RAM]], ROM (Read only memory) (for program and constant data) and typically I/O units (Peripherals).
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Most microcontrollers also come with built-in oscillators in order to reduce the number of external components needed.
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[[File: MCU.svg | thumb | A schematic representation of a microcontroller unit]]
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== CPU ==
 
== CPU ==
Today's microcontrollers are built around a 8/16 or 32-bit CPU core. However, there are also microconttrollers with multiple CPUs.
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Most of today's microcontrollers are built around a 8/16 or 32-bit CPU core. However, there are also microcontrollers with multiple CPUs.
   
 
== RAM ==
 
== RAM ==
 
[[RAM]] stands for Random Access Memory.
 
[[RAM]] stands for Random Access Memory.
   
== Flash Memory ==
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== ROM ==
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[[ROM]] is non-volatile, read only memory. In most cases, it is actually Flash memory, which is a reprogrammable solid state memory.
[[Flash Memory]] is an electronic data storage medium.
 
   
 
== Oscillator ==
 
== Oscillator ==
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== Peripherals ==
 
== Peripherals ==
 
A [[Peripheral]] is a hardware device other than the processor and the memory.
 
A [[Peripheral]] is a hardware device other than the processor and the memory.
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Peripherals can be basic digital I/O (also referred to as GPIO, general purpose I/O), or more complex things such as [[Timer]]s, [[UART]], [[SPI]], [[Ethernet]] or [[CAN]] interfaces.

Latest revision as of 16:57, 2 August 2019

A Microcontroller is a single chip computer. It's core is a CPU, around which there is RAM, ROM (Read only memory) (for program and constant data) and typically I/O units (Peripherals). Most microcontrollers also come with built-in oscillators in order to reduce the number of external components needed.

A schematic representation of a microcontroller unit

CPU

Most of today's microcontrollers are built around a 8/16 or 32-bit CPU core. However, there are also microcontrollers with multiple CPUs.

RAM

RAM stands for Random Access Memory.

ROM

ROM is non-volatile, read only memory. In most cases, it is actually Flash memory, which is a reprogrammable solid state memory.

Oscillator

An oscillator is a device that, given a certain frequency and constant voltage, can be used as a clock.

Peripherals

A Peripheral is a hardware device other than the processor and the memory. Peripherals can be basic digital I/O (also referred to as GPIO, general purpose I/O), or more complex things such as Timers, UART, SPI, Ethernet or CAN interfaces.