The relationship and difference between microprocessors and microcontrollers

Since the first commercial microprocessor developed by Intel in 1971 (4-bit 4004) to the current I9 series (64-bit) microprocessor, many generations have been updated. Advances in microprocessor technology have made personal computing faster and more reliable than ever before. If the microprocessor is the heart of the computer system, the microcontroller is the brain. Microprocessors and microcontrollers often have the same functionality because they share common characteristics and because they are designed for real-time applications, they are often used with each other. However, they are quite different.
In fact, the main difference between the two names is their peripherals. Unlike microcontrollers, microprocessors do not have built-in memory, ROM, serial ports, timers, and other peripherals that make up the system. An external bus is required to connect peripherals. A microcontroller, on the other hand, integrates all peripherals (such as processor, RAM, ROM, and IO) in a single chip. It has an internal control bus that is not available to designers. Because all components are packaged in a single chip, the compact structure makes it ideal for large-scale industrial applications. The microprocessor is the heart of the computer system, and the microcontroller is the brain.
What is a microprocessor
A microprocessor is a silicon-based integrated chip with only a central processing unit. This is the heart of a computer system designed to perform a task load involving data. There is no RAM, ROM, IO pins, timers and other peripherals on the microprocessor chip. They will be added externally to make them work. It consists of an ALU that handles all arithmetic and logical operations; Control unit for managing and processing the instruction flow throughout the system; And register arrays, used to store data in memory for quick access. They are designed for general purpose applications, such as logical operations in computer systems. In short, it is a fully functional CPU on a single integrated circuit that a computer system uses to do its job.
What is a microcontroller
A microcontroller is like a microcomputer, with a CPU as well as RAM, ROM, serial ports, timers, and IO peripherals, all embedded in a single chip. It is designed to perform application-specific tasks that require some degree of control, such as TV remote controls, LED display panels, smartwatches, vehicles, traffic light control, temperature control, etc. It comes with a microprocessor, memory and incoming/output ports all on a single chip. This is the brain of a computer system, which contains enough circuits to perform specific functions without the need for external memory. Because it lacks external components, it consumes less power, making it ideal for battery-powered devices. In simple terms, a microcontroller is a complete computer system with less external hardware.
(1) Technologies involved in microprocessors and microcontrollers
Microprocessors are programmable, multipurpose silicon chips that are the most critical components of computer systems. Like the heart of a computer system, it consists of an ALU (arithmetic logic unit), a control unit, an instruction decoder, and a register array. Microcontrollers, on the other hand, are at the heart of embedded systems, which are a byproduct of microprocessor technology.
(2) Architecture of microprocessors and microcontrollers
A microprocessor is just an integrated circuit with no RAM, ROM, or input/output pins. It basically refers to the central processing unit of a computer system that acquires, interprets, and executes commands that are passed to the computer system. It integrates the functions of the CPU into a single integrated circuit. Microcontrollers, on the other hand, are more powerful devices that contain microprocessor circuits and have RAM, IO, and processor all integrated in a single chip.
(3) The work of microprocessors and microcontrollers
Microprocessors require an external bus to connect peripherals such as RAM, ROM, analog and digital IO, and serial ports. The ALU performs all arithmetic and logical operations from the memory or input device and executes the results on the output device. A microcontroller is a small device in which all peripherals are embedded in a single chip and designed to perform a specific task, such as executing a program used to control other devices.
(4) Data storage in microprocessor and microcontroller
Data memory is a part of PIC, which contains special function registers and general purpose registers. It temporarily stores data and holds intermediate results. The microprocessor executes several instructions stored in memory and sends the results to the output. A microcontroller contains one or more cpus as well as RAM and other peripherals. The CPU takes instructions from memory and executes the results.
(5) Stored in microprocessors and microcontrollers
The microprocessor is based on the von Neumann architecture (also known as the von Neumann model and Princeton architecture), where the control unit takes instructions and decodes them by assigning control signals to the hardware. The idea is to store the instruction in memory along with the data on which the instruction operates. Microcontrollers, on the other hand, are based on the Harvard architecture, where instructions and program data are stored separately.
(6) Applications of microprocessors and microcontrollers
Microprocessors are large-capacity storage devices with a single chip and are embedded in a variety of applications, such as specification control, traffic signal control, temperature control, test instruments, real-time monitoring systems, and more. Microcontrollers are mainly used in electrical and electronic circuits and automatic control equipment, such as high-end medical instruments, automotive engine control systems, solar chargers, game consoles, traffic light control, industrial control equipment, etc.