You may not know but Microcontrollers are practically everywhereThis means that we use them in our daily lives without even realizing it. For example, we find them in the operation of devices such as keyboards, mobile phones, microwaves, and much more.
Undoubtedly, Its use has expanded over time without most people realizing it.In fact, most people who know about this are either interested in the topic or knowledgeable about the subject.
However, in this post we will teach you What is a microcontroller?, their main functions, types, history and you will even learn the differences between these and the microprocessors. Although they appear to be the same at first glance, they are not.
What is a microcontroller and what are these components used for?
Simply put, a microcontroller is understood to be a programmable integrated circuit. This means that It is capable of following all the orders that are recorded in its memoryWithin its composition, there are several functional blocks, and each one of them fulfills a specific task. Its composition resembles that of computers, since it includes within it a central processing unit, input/output peripherals and a memory.
That is to say, A microcontroller is a kind of mini PCThey can be incorporated into all kinds of inventions and products where an automated process is required. One of the most interesting aspects is that they are designed to help... reduce economic cost and energy consumption of a system, therefore, the size, peripherals and amount of memory depend on the application that will be given to it.
What are the main functions and uses of a microcontroller in electronics?
Firstly, microcontrollers are very useful when it comes to schedule tasks on specific devices. They are even present in almost every electronic device, such as washing machines, mobile phones, microwaves, cars, etc. An interesting fact worth mentioning is that these integrated devices have the particularity that They can be controlled through instructions from specialized processors.
Specifically, modern ones, generally, They include an integrated programming language, as in the case of BASICTherefore, it can be said that one of the main purposes pursued with the microcontrollers It's about offering users a programmable device that is low-cost and consumes less energy than other types of electronic components. Therefore, their increasing incorporation into more and more products on the market.
History of microcontrollers: When were they created and what impact did they have?
Their history dates back to 1971, with the launch of the first microprocessor called Intel 4004 4-bitAfter this, the following entered the market Intel 8008 and others that were slightly more advanced. However, both required additional circuitry to run a working system, which increased the overall system cost.
With this in mind, that same year Texas Instruments engineers Gary Boone and Michael Cochran managed to present to the world the first microcontroller whose name was “TMS 1000”. Its commercialization began in 1974 and it combined ROM, RAM, a single-chip clock, and a microprocessor. It was intended for embedded systems, also known as integrated or embedded systems.
When Intel realized all the possibilities they had, they developed the Intel 8048which was a complete single-chip computer system optimized for control applications. This creation combined ROM and RAM on the same chip and is found in over a billion keyboards and other applications. From that moment on, the great impact that microcontrollers they would have in the world.
Therefore, Intel's president at the time, Luke J. Valenter, mentioned that the microcontroller was one of the most successful products in the company's history, to the point that it helped expand the division's budget by more than 25%. Another major leap forward occurred in 1993, Atmel launched the first microcontroller that used flash memoryFrom there, their value began to rise, but nowadays they can be acquired for really low costs.
Types of microcontrollers: Which are the most commonly used in computing and electronics?
There are three main types of microcontrollers which are available on the market. Each of them has a long history and is implemented in different types of projects. In this sense, the most popular are: Intel, Microchip and ArduinoAs previously mentioned, Intel is one of the pioneers of this type of device. It should not be forgotten that they were one of the first to launch microcontrollers on the market that could be programmed to carry out different tasks.
For its part, it is worth mentioning PIC microcontrollers from Microchip Technology Inc.They have become popular because they perfectly combine high quality, excellent performance, and low cost. They are used in common applications such as computer peripherals, security systems, and more.
Finally, it is found Arduino. Esta es una open-source hardware and software platform based on a board containing a microcontroller and a development environmentThanks to this, users can create all kinds of multidisciplinary projects. Arduino is one of the most widely used by those who want to get started in electronics, because it is easy to work with, has a wide variety of uses, and is easily integrated into various projects. many types of projects.
What are the differences between a microprocessor and a microcontroller?
Often people get confused about what is a microprocessor and a microcontrollerr. First, we need to discuss the definition of each to establish the basic concepts that distinguish them. As we mentioned at the beginning of this post, A microcontroller is an integrated circuit that can be programmed to perform certain tasks.
In other words, it will perform everything it is programmed to do. For its part, A microprocessor is also a central integrated circuit, but it is responsible for executing programs.When it comes to the differences, the main ones lie in the components each one contains. For example, a microcontroller can contain a microprocessor, but vice versa.
In addition to that, below we share some other key differences between the two:
- The price of a microcontroller-based system is much minor, than one based on a microprocessor.
- The microcontrollers work with Harvard architecturewhile microprocessors are based on the architecture of Von newmann.
- Regarding the development times of an electronic projectWith microcontrollers, less time is invested.
Both have a wide field of action and currently represent a significant contribution to the field of technological development, making them useful for carrying out different projects. In short, each one has a specific function and, depending on what is neededIt will be selected whether the use of a microcontroller or a microprocessor is more convenient.
