Tutorials » Microcontrollers » Introduction to Microcontrollers: Architecture, Interfacing, and Programming

Introduction to Microcontrollers: Architecture, Interfacing, and Programming

microcontroller embedded system programming hardware architecture

This microcontroller tutorial covers the following: what a microcontroller is, the 8051 microcontroller architecture, microcontroller hardware interfacing, microcontroller timers and their functions, microcontroller interrupts, serial communication registers, cross compilers, microcontroller programming, the difference between a microcontroller and a microprocessor, microcontroller kit vendors, and popular microcontroller manufacturers (TI, ARM, ATMEL).

What is a Microcontroller?

A microcontroller is a chip used in various applications ranging from toys to telecommunications, electrical, mechanical, and automotive systems. Its widespread use is due to its low cost and small size. A microcontroller consists of a CPU, RAM, ROM, timer, counter, ports, and various other interfaces required for short and long-distance communications such as RS232, SPI, CAN, and more.

8051 Microcontroller Architecture

The 8051 microcontroller architecture includes program memory, data memory, timers, counters, I/O lines, a CPU, and more.

Microcontroller Hardware Interfacing

As mentioned, a microcontroller chip consists of RAM, ROM, ports, and various interfaces. The hardware is designed on a PCB with other ICs alongside the microcontroller for enhanced applications requiring more memory and features.

Microcontroller Timers

The 8051 Microcontroller has 2 timers, which have different modes based on different applications. TMOD and TCON registers are used to set timers for different modes. The number of timers varies based on the microcontroller from different manufacturers.

Microcontroller Interrupts

Microcontrollers have interrupt structures. For example the 8051, has a 6 source/5 vector interrupt structure with two priority levels. IE and IA registers are used to set up interrupts in a microcontroller-based program.

Microcontroller Serial Communication

The 8051 microcontroller has one full-duplex UART for serial communication. SCON and SBUF registers are used to establish serial communication with peripheral devices.

Microcontroller Cross Compiler

A microcontroller cross-compiler converts a microcontroller-based C program into an executable that runs on the microcontroller. The following page provides the necessary instruction set required to write microcontroller-based C programs.

  • TI Microcontroller
  • ATMEL Microcontroller
  • ARM Microcontroller