Microcontroller

Microcontroller..

A microcontroller is a single-chip computer (processor). Micro suggests that the device is

small, and controller suggests that it is used in control applications. Another term for

microcontroller is embedded controller, since most of the microcontrollers are built

into the devices they control.

                                                
Microcontroller have more features such as program memory, data memory analog to digital convertor, timers, watchdog, Serial Input-Output, LCD Drivers, Analog Comparator, USB Interface, Motor Control Interface, CAN Interface, Ethernet Interface.

All microcontrollers operate on a set of instructions or the user program stored in their memory. A microcontroller fetches the instructions from its program memory one by one, decodes these instructions, and then carries out the required operations. we can control all activities of the microcontroller by it's program.

Microcontrollers have traditionally been programmed using the assembly language of the target

device. Although the assembly language is fast, it has several disadvantages. An assembly program

consists of mnemonics and it is difficult to learn and maintain a program written using the assembly language. Therefore microcontrollers can also be programmed using a high-level language,such as BASIC, PASCAL, and C. High-level languages have the advantage that it is much easier to learn a high level language than the assembler. Also, very large and complex programs can easily be developed using a high-level language.