This document compares microprocessors and microcontrollers. It states that a microprocessor is an integrated circuit containing transistors that serves as the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer. A microcontroller, on the other hand, is a highly integrated chip containing a CPU, memory, I/O ports, and timers designed to control a specific system. The key differences are that microprocessors have external memory and interfaces, larger size and power consumption, and are used in non-predefined applications, while microcontrollers have integrated memory and interfaces, smaller size, lower power consumption, and are used in predefined embedded applications.

1. MICRO-PROCESSORS
AND
MICRO-CONTROLLERS
By
Hiran Gabriel D J.

2. Micro-processor
• A microprocessor is a digital electronic component with
miniaturized transistors on a single semiconductor
integrated circuit (IC).
• One or more microprocessors typically serve as a central
processing unit (CPU) in a computer system or handheld
device.
• Microprocessors made possible the advent of the
microcomputer.
• The microprocessor contains the ARITHMETIC LOGIC
UNIT (ALU) and the control unit for a microcomputer.

3. ARCHITECTURE

4. SIMPLIFIED ARCHITECTURE

5. Micro-controller
• A highly integrated chip that contains all
the components comprising a controller.
• Typically this includes a CPU, RAM, some
form of ROM, I/O ports, and timers.
• A microcontroller is designed for a very
specific task - to control a system.

6. ARCHITECTURE

7. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MICRO-
CONTROLLER AND MICRO-PROCESSOR
Micro-processor Micro-controller
Applications Not-predefined predefined
RAM External integrated
ROM External integrated
I/O Ports External integrated
Size of system Large Very small
RAM Size 128MB TO 64 GB 2KB TO 256KB
ROM Size 128 GB TO 4TB 32KB TO 2MB
Interfaces USB 12C
Bit size 32 bit or 64 bit 8 bit ,16 bit ,32 bit
Power consumption High Low
Cost High Low

8. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MICRO-
CONTROLLER AND MICRO-PROCESSOR
– A microprocessor requires an external memory for program/data
storage. Instruction execution requires movement of data from
the external memory to the microprocessor or vice versa.
Usually, microprocessors have good computing power and they
have higher clock speed to facilitate faster computation.
– A microcontroller has required on-chip memory with associated
peripherals. A microcontroller can be thought of a
microprocessor with inbuilt peripherals.
– A microcontroller does not require much additional interfacing
ICs for operation, and it functions as a stand-alone system. The
operation of a microcontroller is multipurpose, just like a Swiss
knife.
– Microcontrollers are also called embedded controllers. A
microcontroller clock speed is limited only to a few tens of MHz
Microcontrollers are numerous and many of them are application
specific.

9. MICRO-
PROCESSOR

10. Micro-controllers
common examples

11. SoC
COMMONLY
USED