microcontroller
Sign in to savethumb|The die (integrated circuit)|die from an [[Intel 8742, an 8-bit microcontroller that includes a CPU running at of RAM, of EPROM, and I/O in the same chip]] thumbnail|Two ATmega microcontrollers
AI overview
A microcontroller is a tiny computer on a single chip that combines a processor, memory, and input/output connections all in one package, making it small enough to fit inside everyday devices. They matter because they enable the automatic control and operation of countless products we use, from household appliances to industrial equipment, without needing a full-sized computer.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
19 sectionsContents
- History
- Background
- Development
- Volume and cost
- Smallest computer
- Embedded design
- Interrupts
- Programs
- Other microcontroller features
- Higher integration
- Programming environments
- Types
- Interrupt latency
- Memory technology
- Data
- Firmware
- See also
- References
- External links
thumb|The die (integrated circuit)|die from an [[Intel 8742, an 8-bit microcontroller that includes a CPU running at of RAM, of EPROM, and I/O in the same chip]] thumbnail|Two ATmega microcontrollers
A microcontroller (MC, uC, or μC) or microcontroller unit (MCU) is a small computer on a single integrated circuit. A microcontroller contains one or more processor cores along with memory and programmable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form of NOR flash, OTP ROM, or ferroelectric RAM is also often included on the chip, as well as a small amount of RAM. Microcontrollers are designed for embedded applications, in contrast to the microprocessors used in personal computers or other general-purpose applications consisting of various discrete chips.