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Introduction to Microcontrollers

This document provides an overview of microcontrollers. It discusses what a microcontroller is, the difference between a microcontroller and microprocessor, and reasons for the existence of microcontrollers. Examples of microcontroller applications include telecommunications, automotive, aerospace, and home appliances. The document also describes a simple heating control task and how it can be implemented using older separate components like a Z80 CPU versus using a single microcontroller chip. Microcontrollers integrate CPU, memory, I/O and other components, reducing board size and development time compared to separate components.

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19 views17 pages

Introduction to Microcontrollers

This document provides an overview of microcontrollers. It discusses what a microcontroller is, the difference between a microcontroller and microprocessor, and reasons for the existence of microcontrollers. Examples of microcontroller applications include telecommunications, automotive, aerospace, and home appliances. The document also describes a simple heating control task and how it can be implemented using older separate components like a Z80 CPU versus using a single microcontroller chip. Microcontrollers integrate CPU, memory, I/O and other components, reducing board size and development time compared to separate components.

Uploaded by

Amod
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

1

Gnther Gridling
Bettina Weiss
Grundlagen Microcontroller
Introduction
2
Lecture Overview

Introduction

What is a microcontroller?

difference between microcontroller and microprocessor

reasons for existence of microcontrollers

fields of application

microcontroller types

frequently used terms


3

A Simple Control Task: Heating

periodically read temperature (4 bit digital value)

turn on/off heating according to temp. (1 control line)

current temperature is displayed (display 8+3 bits)

user can adjust temp. thresholds with buttons (4 btns)

serial interface to download temp. data for last 24 h (2 bit)

-> 20 digital I/O lines, timer, serial interface


What is a Microcontroller?
4

Components we need:

CPU (Z80)

2x PIO (2x 16 = 32 digital I/O lines)

SIO (serial I/O)

CTC (timer)

memory (SRAM, Flash, EEPROM)

requires 8 chips (+ their connections) on PCB


Heat Control With Z80
5
PCB: euro format 10x16 cm
6
(Autorouter 81% finished)
7

If we do this with a microcontroller:


require

CPU

at least 20 digital I/O lines

serial interface

timer

memory (SRAM, Flash, EEPROM)


Heat Control With ATmega16
8

Components we need: 1 microcontroller

All components are integrated into one single chip!


What is a Microcontroller?
PCB: less than quarter euro format 5x8 cm
9
size reduction of more than factor 4!
10

microcontroller integrates several components:

CPU

memory

digital I/O lines

analog I/O lines

interrupt controller

counter/timer

serial interface(s)
What is a Microcontroller?
11

smaller board area

faster development

easier debugging and upgradability

low cost

low power consumption

high reliability
Why Microcontrollers?
microcontrollers save time & money!
12

telecommunication

automotive industry

aerospace industry

household appliances, home automation

factory automation

...
Fields of Application
mostly high quantities (90 in car) -> huge market!
13

Many different controllers from many


different vendors
(e.g. PIC, ATmega16, HC11, 8051)

controller family:

same CPU

different peripherals (number of I/Os, timers, ...)

e.g.: Atmel AVR ATmega family


Types of Microcontrollers
14

controllers are (4), 8, 16, 32 bit

we concentrate on small 8-bit controllers

no MMU (memory management unit)

no DMA (direct memory access)

no Cache

clocking frequency about 1 - 25 MHz


Types of Microcontrollers
15

Microprocessor: a CPU (e.g. in a PC)

Microcontroller: single chip computer,


contains I/O lines to directly monitor and
control environment

Digital Signal Processor: designed for signal


processing (fast multiplications), often
hybrid
Some Technical Terms
16

Embedded System: the microcontroller is


part of the system, has a dedicated function
(microwave, mobile phone, ...)

Real-Time System: a system which has to


react to events within a given time frame; if
the reaction comes too late, the results may
be disastrous
(break-by-wire in car)
Some Technical Terms
17

Microcontroller: CPU + peripherals on one


chip

Microcontroller can be used stand-alone

Motivation for Microcontrollers: time &


money

Microcontroller families

Important terms
Lecture Summary

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