What is a microcontroller? What is a microcontroller?

The English name of single-chip microcomputer is: Single-Chip Microcomputer

Single-chip microcomputer, also known as single-chip microcontroller, is not a chip that completes a certain logical function, but integrates a computer system onto a chip. In a nutshell: a chip becomes a computer. Its small size, light weight and cheap price provide convenient conditions for learning, application and development. At the same time, learning to use microcontrollers is the best choice for understanding computer principles and structures.

It can be said that the twentieth century has spanned three "electrical" eras, namely the electrical age, the electronic age and the computer age that has now entered. However, this kind of computer usually refers to a personal computer, or PC for short. It consists of a host, keyboard, monitor, etc. (as shown in Figure 1). There is another type of computer that most people are not very familiar with. This kind of computer is a single-chip computer (also known as a microcontroller) that imparts intelligence to various machines. As the name suggests, this minimal computer system uses only one integrated circuit to perform simple calculations and control. Because of its small size, it is usually hidden in the "belly" of the controlled machine. It plays the same role as the human mind in the entire device. If it goes wrong, the entire device will be paralyzed. Nowadays, this kind of microcontroller is used in a wide range of fields, such as intelligent instruments, real-time industrial control, communication equipment, navigation systems, household appliances, etc. Once various products use microcontrollers, they can upgrade the products. The adjective "intelligent" is often placed in front of the product name, such as smart washing machines. Nowadays, some products produced by technicians in some factories or other amateur electronic developers either have too complex circuits or too simple functions and are easily copied. The reason may be that the product does not use a microcontroller or other programmable logic devices.

It can be said that the twentieth century has spanned three "electrical" eras, namely the electrical age, the electronic age and the computer age that has now entered. However, this kind of computer usually refers to a personal computer, or PC for short. It consists of a host, keyboard, monitor, etc. (as shown in Figure 1). There is another type of computer that most people are not very familiar with. This kind of computer is a single-chip computer (also called a microcontroller, as shown in Figure 2) that imparts intelligence to various machines. As the name suggests, this minimal computer system uses only one integrated circuit to perform simple calculations and control. Because of its small size, it is usually hidden in the "belly" of the controlled machine. It plays the same role as the human mind in the entire device. If it goes wrong, the entire device will be paralyzed. Nowadays, this kind of microcontroller is used in a wide range of fields, such as intelligent instruments, real-time industrial control, communication equipment, navigation systems, household appliances, etc. Once various products use microcontrollers, they can upgrade the products. The adjective "intelligent" is often placed in front of the product name, such as smart washing machines. Nowadays, some products produced by technicians in some factories or other amateur electronic developers either have too complex circuits or too simple functions and are easily copied. The reason may be that the product does not use a microcontroller or other programmable logic devices.
Application fields of single-chip microcomputer:
1. Application of single-chip microcomputer in intelligent instruments;
2. Application of single-chip microcomputer in industrial measurement and control;
3. Application of single-chip microcomputer in computer network and communication technology;
4. Application of single-chip microcomputer in daily life and home appliances ;
5. Single chip microcomputer in office automation.
At present, microcontrollers have penetrated into all areas of our lives, and it is almost difficult to find an area without traces of microcontrollers. Missile navigation devices, control of various instruments on aircraft, computer network communication and data transmission, real-time control and data processing of industrial automation processes, widely used smart IC cards, security systems for civilian luxury cars, video The control of machines, cameras, fully automatic washing machines, as well as program-controlled toys, electronic pets, etc. are all inseparable from microcontrollers. Not to mention robots, smart instruments, and medical equipment in the field of automatic control. Therefore, the learning, development and application of microcontrollers will create a group of scientists and engineers in computer applications and intelligent control.

Microcontroller chip picture: