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Microprocessor and Microcontroller The difference
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-
microcontroller)
jojo December 5, 2011 30 Comments
When you start learning about Microprocessors (in most case you will begin with Intel 8085) and Microcontrollers (usually you will begin with Intel 8051
from the MCS 51 micro controller family), the rst question that pops up is hey whats the difference in between ? In this article I am explaining the
basic differences and similarities between a microprocessor and micro controller. In fact you can call this article a simple comparison of both micro
computing devices. This comparison will be same (at the basic level) for any micro processor and controller. So lets begin.
At the basic level, a microprocessor and micro controller exist for performing some operations they are fetching instructions from the memory and
executing these instruction (arithmetic or logic operations) and the result of these executions are used to serve to output devices. Are you clear? Both
devices are capable ofcontinuouslyfetching instructions from memory and keep on executing these instructions as long as the power is not turned off.
Instructions are electronic instructions represented by a group of bits. These instructions are always fetched from their storage area, which is named as
memory. Now lets take a closer look at block diagrams of a microprocessor based system and a micro controller based system.
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(http://www.circuitstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/microprocessor-based-system.jpg)
Take a closer look at the block diagram and you will see a micro processor has many support devices like Read only memory, Read-Write memory, Serial
interface, Timer, Input/Output ports etc. All these support devices are interfaced to microprocessor via a system bus. So one point is clear now, all support
devices in amicroprocessorbased system are external. The system bus is composed of an address bus, data bus and control bus.
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/microcontroller-system.jpg)
The above block diagram shows a micro controller system in general. Whats the primary difference you see? All the support devices like Read only
memory, Read Write memory, Timer, Serial interface, I/O ports are internal. There is no need of interfacing thesesupportdevices and this saves a lot of
time for the individual who creates the system. You got the basic understanding ? A micro controller is nothing but a microprocessor system with all
support devices integrated inside a single chip. There is no need of any external interfacing in a micro controller unless you desire to create something
beyond the limit, like interfacing an external memory or DAC/ADC unit etc. To make this microcontroller function, you need to give a DC power supply, a
reset circuit and a quartz crystal (system clock) from external source.
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Okay, so we have an idea about the basic difference between a microprocessor and microcontroller. Now lets compare some features of both systems.
Comparison
As you already know, support devices are external in a microprocessor based system where as support devices are internal for a micro controller. Micro
controllers offer software protection where as micro processor base system fails to offer a protection system. This is made possible in microcontrollers by
locking the on-chip program memory which makes it impossible to read using an external circuit. Okay! So that are basic differences, now you can come
up with some more. As we need to interface support devices externally in a microprocessor based system, time required to build the circuit will be more,
the size will be more and power consumption will be more in a microprocessor based system compared to microcontroller.
So you wanna read more about a speci c microprocessor and micro controller ? Here is:-
Intel 8085 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_8085) (microprocessor) and Intel 8051 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_MCS-51) (micro controller)
DIY Digital Clock with Temperature Display using PIC Controller: :(http://www.circuitstoday.com/diy-digital-clock-temperature-
display) //
//
Digital Voltmeter using Micro Controller PIC16F73A (http://www.circuitstoday.com/digital-voltmeter-circuit-using-pic-micro-
controller) ww
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8051 Special Function Registers and Ports (http://www.circuitstoday.com/8051-special-function-registers-and-ports)
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8051 Addressing modes (http://www.circuitstoday.com/8051-addressing-modes)
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8051 Microcontroller (http://www.circuitstoday.com/8051-microcontroller)
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We recommend:
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Variable frequency oscillator (http://www.circuitstoday.com/variable-frequency-oscillator)
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Direct Coupled Radio (http://www.circuitstoday.com/direct-coupled-radio)
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Single transistor radio (http://www.circuitstoday.com/single-transistor-radio)
//
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COMMENTS bc
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Pavan kumar Puppala dt
August 5, 2015 eu
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lee
lee
Pile of shite
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=352159#respond)
Reply (http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=419085#respond)
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Reply
Prachi
sharmila
July 7, 2015
July 7, 2015
http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller
Very helpful , logical and easy to understand.
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Hello sir this tutorial is simple to understand & i got few new thing about microprocessor and controller
Microprocessor and Microcontroller - A comparison of differences
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ankitasambhare
June 30, 2014
Whats the difference between RISC & CISC???? Thanks for the above info, would be better if differences were arranged in tabular form rather than big
paragraphs
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=146080#respond)
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sandeepsingh
April 12, 2014
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=135781#respond)
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Divya
January 27, 2014
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=117072#respond)
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Dilupa (http://dilupaherath.blogspot.com)
December 25, 2013
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=112449#respond)
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Mahesh (http://www.circuitstoday.com)
April 18, 2013
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16/8/2017 Microprocessor and Microcontroller - A comparison of differences
Sir,what is on chip program memory and serial interface? Can u explain in detail.
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=93372#respond)
Reply
riya sharma
February 24, 2013
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=92020#respond)
Reply
goutham (http://goutham.b786@gmail.com)
January 10, 2013
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=91315#respond)
Reply
venkatesh
December 28, 2012
Hie,
Thanks
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=90922#respond)
Reply
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TUHIN (http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller)
December 13, 2012
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=90497#respond)
Reply
jojo
December 13, 2012
@Tuhin They both differ mainly on hardware. I think theres not much of a difference in the way software is handled for both!
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=90506#respond)
Reply
rizwana
September 1, 2012
dear sir, could you pls suggest some ideas on embedded system project.. pls reply soon..
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=87778#respond)
Reply
devendra thakur
May 25, 2012
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=85097#respond)
Reply
ham
March 27, 2012
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16/8/2017 Microprocessor and Microcontroller - A comparison of differences
dear sir can u explain about the timing diagrams of the microprocessor
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=82278#respond)
Reply
kavi priya
December 16, 2011
good eve sir,i want to know the traf c light controller program based on 8051.thank u sir
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=75820#respond)
Reply
udaya kumar (http://----)
December 10, 2011
udayakumar
dec 10,2011 at 5.45pm
sir, i am having a project on implementation of modifying single phase preventer with meu-p 8051 micro controller.sir can you please help me with the
circuit diagram and programming for 8051.please help me as soon as possible.
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=74818#respond)
Reply
umesh yadav
December 10, 2011
dear
sir i need detail of the programing detail of the MC908JL16CPE micro controler
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=74808#respond)
Reply
umesh yadav
December 10, 2011
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dear
sir i wanted to know all detais of the r alarm system and abut circuit dagram detail and latest re alarm system
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=74806#respond)
Reply
shweta k.
December 9, 2011
Sir,I am having a project on interfacing a temperature sensor with mue-p 8085 if able also with mue-c 8051,along with two seven segment
displays,which will sense the temperature and display it on the seven segment display.Sir,can you please help me with the pcb design circuitary and
programming for both?Sir,Please help me as soon as possible.
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=74593#respond)
Reply
jojo
December 9, 2011
Hello shweta, please wait one or two weeks, we will come up with articles on 8051 interfacing very soon. We are working to develop complete tutorial
for 8051.
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=74699#respond)
Reply
sameer gupta
December 8, 2011
Sir,please publish an article on microcontroller programming.For this I am searching in many websites but not clear.
I want to program a chip through my laptop(windows7).What are the hardwares,softwares,cables & ports required to program a microcontroller?
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=74417#respond)
Reply
mahipal
December 8, 2011
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16/8/2017 Microprocessor and Microcontroller - A comparison of differences
Sir, I am seeing your mails everyday. It is very useful to me.Thanking many more
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=74181#respond)
Reply
priya
August 6, 2013
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=96040#respond)
Reply
V. MANI (http://0)
December 7, 2011
Sir, Please tell me what is the major difference between the ICs of the CD 4011B and GD 4011B.
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=73826#respond)
Reply
V. MANI (http://0)
December 7, 2011
Dear Sir, I am seeing your mails everyday. It is very useful to me. I am watching your topics everyone in your website at free of cost. Thanking many
more.
(http://www.circuitstoday.com/microprocessor-and-microcontroller?replytocom=73756#respond)
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