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Microprocessor vs Microcontroller

There has been a great misunderstanding in difference between Microprocessor and Microcontroller since both the IC are designed for Real life use. The Microprocessor and Microcontroller chips do share many common features although they have very important differences.

However,

The difference between Microprocessor and Microcontroller can not be simply distinguished by just looking at them. The both ic’s are available in numerous type of packages starting from 6 pins to a large number of pins (Depends upon its features).

The number of people (who are new in embedded system) are not very much aware of the difference between microprocessor and microcontroller and mostly they end up considering both of these as the same thing.

In 1971 world’s first microprocessor (Intel 4004) was introduced which has changed our lives up to a great extent. In the same year 1971 the world’s first micro controller was made by Gary Boone and Michael Cochran.

According to the definition of microprocessor,

It is an electronic IC which works as a computer processor and is present in single or multiple integrated circuits (IC’s). The function of microprocessor is to perform all the functions of the central processing system. Don’t confuse it with Central Processing Unit (CPU), as this resides on single or multiple integrated circuits and doesn’t occupy much space like CPU does.

And

As per the definition of Microcontroller,

It is an electronic Integrated Circuit (IC) which contains processing unit along with the other required peripheral components with fixed sized RAM and ROM. It is also known as the small computer in an Small IC.

Unlike Microprocessor the Microcontroller has its own memory units which are classified as

Program Memory

Data Memory

Data EEPOM

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Difference Between Microprocessor and Microcontroller

You may be clear with the concept of both Microprocessor and Microcontroller.

However,

You might not be aware of the general and very significant differences between microprocessor and microcontroller in points.

Microprocessor is considered to be the heart of the computer system, whereas microcontroller is the embedded system’s heart.

Microprocessor are mostly used for its capacity to perform the continuous repeated cycle of instructions such as fetch, decode and execute operations, whereas the microcontroller is vastly used for its capacity to perform the task more than fetch, decode and execute which also includes the controlling the operation as per the output of the instruction cycle.

You will find the use of microprocessors in your personal computers or laptops, whereas you will see the use of microcontrollers in your home appliances like refrigerator, washing machine, etc. along with PC.

The architecture of microcontroller is done using Harvard architecture and Princeton architecture. Whereas, the architecture of microprocessor is done using Von Neumann architecture.

If we see the difference between microprocessor and microcontroller according to the circuit complexity and size, then microprocessor circuits are complex and large, whereas microcontrollers’ circuit is small because all the components are connected internally to one another.

The cost of operating microcontroller is much less when compared to the microprocessor.

The power consumption of microprocessor is much higher because of the large circuit, whereas the power consumption of microcontroller is less because of the smaller circuit size and it can easily be operated using a battery.

The microprocessors which are widely used are core 2 duo, Intel premium series processor, Intel I3 and dual core. And, the microcontrollers which are widely used are manufactured by companies like Philips, ATMEl, etc.

After studying all the major difference between microprocessor and microcontroller, it must be clear to you that both of these can’t replace each other. Both of these electronic components have their usage in wide variety of applications. Do leave your comments if you are aware more difference between microprocessor and microcontroller, we are eager to know.

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