What is the Difference
Between a Microprocessor & a Microcontroller?
All
microcomputers contain microprocessors. They are the core of any microcomputer
system. Microcontrollers are special-purpose computer systems, usually
programmed to perform a single task. As they are computers in and of
themselves, microcontrollers will have a microprocessor as part of their system
hardware. Have a question? Get
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1. Microprocessors
o A microprocessor is often also
called the CPU, or Central Processing Unit, of a microcomputer. It is, in
essence, the heart of a computer system. It is tasked to perform a wide variety
of functions.
2. Self-contained Systems
o Microcontrollers are small,
task-specific computers. They will have a microprocessor on board to handle
logic and instruction processing. Yet, they still must have all the essential
elements of any computer system.
Essentials
o Microcontroller units and full
computer systems will have basic infrastructure in common. Essential to any
computer system is input, output, storage, instruction processing, and memory.
Differences
o The main difference between the
microcontroller and a typical computer is a matter of scale. Usually, a
microcontroller is programmed for a specific task and left alone to do it
without further human input. However, a general computer system can be tasked
with a wide variety of jobs.
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