Microcontrollers - Revision history

Guestblinky: add STM32, etc.

2025-04-22T22:12:09Z

add STM32, etc.

DavidCary: link to related articles

2024-02-24T22:40:34Z

link to related articles

DavidCary: /* further reading */ link to general discussion about how to choose a microcontroller.

2015-11-24T03:07:08Z

further reading: link to general discussion about how to choose a microcontroller.

DavidCary: subtle difference between ISP and self-flashing -- too much detail for this introduction?

2015-11-23T00:48:35Z

subtle difference between ISP and self-flashing -- too much detail for this introduction?

DavidCary: tweak definition -- not every microcontroller includes ADC.

2015-11-23T00:41:40Z

tweak definition -- not every microcontroller includes ADC.

CodeThatThinks: CodeThatThinks moved page Microcontroller to Microcontrollers over redirect

2014-11-12T04:02:54Z

CodeThatThinks moved page Microcontroller to Microcontrollers over redirect

CodeThatThinks: /* ATtiny */

2014-08-13T04:28:47Z

ATtiny

CodeThatThinks: Cleaned up AVR section

2014-08-13T04:22:15Z

Cleaned up AVR section

DavidCary: my favorite PSoC site, etc.

2014-04-19T23:25:52Z

my favorite PSoC site, etc.

110.76.147.234: /* Atmel AVR */

2012-09-15T02:46:50Z

Atmel AVR

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 A microcontroller is a little computer on a single Die/Package.  The computer includes a CPU core, RAM, ROM/FLASH, and peripherals often including UARTS, A/D converters, SPI, and I2C. Microcontrollers differ from microprocessors in that the microprocessors generally have bigger more powerful central processing units, but need support chips for ram, rom and other peripherals.  Most modern microcontrollers use FLASH ram instead of a ROM so they can be programmed over and over. Most modern microcontrollers support in-system programming (ISP) or in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) or some similar protocol to enable a programmer/debugger to burn a program (often a bootloader) into the microcontroller after the microcontroller has been soldered in, without pulling the chip from the circuit.  Many modern microcontrollers allow self-flashing to enable bootloading or a firmware update without using a programmer/debugger.
-Unlike PCs, which have a wide range of programming languages available, microcontrollers have only a few programming languages available -- C programming language, Basic programming language, Forth programming language, assembly language, and (on a few microcontrollers) Python programming language.
+Unlike PCs, which have a wide range of programming languages available, microcontrollers have only a few [[Programming Languages | programming languages available for microcontrollers]] -- C programming language, Basic programming language, Forth programming language, assembly language, and (on a few microcontrollers) Python programming language.
 Microcontrollers and microprocessors only understand machine code and compilers regardless of type all translate the program to machine code. Machine code, while tedious to learn and device specific, is the most efficient.
@@ Line 190: / Line 190: @@
 * $10 STMicroelectronics’ STM32 Discovery Kit with ARM® Cortex-M3 microcontroller [http://www.st.com/internet/com/press_release/p3065.jsp] [http://www.st.com/internet/evalboard/product/250863.jsp]
 * [[Motherboards that run Linux]]
 == further reading ==
@@ Line 206: / Line 225: @@
 *[http://www.ladyada.net/library/picvsavr.html PIC vs. AVR Ultimate fight]
 * [http://chiphacker.com/questions/1092/whats-the-difference-between-a-microcontroller-and-a-microprocessor Chiphacker: "What’s the difference between a microcontroller and a microprocessor?"]
-* [http://piclist.com/techref/piclist/begin.htm "Beginners checklist for PIC Microcontrollers"].
+* [http://techref.massmind.org/techref/piclist/begin.htm "Beginners checklist for PIC Microcontrollers"].
 [[category:microcontroller]][[Category:Components]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:40, 24 February 2024
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	* [[Microcontrollers for Beginners]]		* [[Microcontrollers for Beginners]]
		+	* [[Using ADCs]]
		+	* [[Microcontroller Serial Communications Articles]]

	* [http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-choose-a-MicroController/ Instructables: How to choose a MicroController]		* [http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-choose-a-MicroController/ Instructables: How to choose a MicroController]

@@ Line 192: / Line 192: @@
 == further reading ==
 * [http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-choose-a-MicroController/ Instructables: How to choose a MicroController]
 * [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Embedded_Systems/Particular_Microprocessors#brief_selection_guide Wikibooks: brief selection guide]
 *[http://www.veys.com/index.php?title=Main_Page Main Page] May have been a one man effort, now dropped.  Has a bit of content that looks good.
@@ Line 200: / Line 204: @@
 *[http://www.ladyada.net/library/picvsavr.html PIC vs. AVR Ultimate fight]
 * [http://chiphacker.com/questions/1092/whats-the-difference-between-a-microcontroller-and-a-microprocessor Chiphacker: "What’s the difference between a microcontroller and a microprocessor?"]
 [[category:microcontroller]][[Category:Components]]

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 * A '''microcontroller''' is a kind of microprocessor that, in addition to the CPU, also includes RAM, ROM/FLASH memory, and digital I/O on a single chip. Many microcontrollers also have a UART, analog to digital convertors, and even comparators on the same chip/die/package.
-A microcontroller is a little computer on a single Die/Package.  The computer includes a CPU core, RAM, ROM/FLASH, and peripherals including UARTS, A/D converters, SPI, and I2C. Microcontrollers differ from microprocessors in that the microprocessors generally have bigger more powerful central processing units, but need support chips for ram, rom and other peripherals.  Most modern microcontrollers use FLASH ram instead of a ROM so they can be programmed over and over.  Many modern microcontrollers allow self-flashing to enable bootloading or a firmware update without pulling the chip from the circuit or using a programmer/debugger.
+A microcontroller is a little computer on a single Die/Package.  The computer includes a CPU core, RAM, ROM/FLASH, and peripherals often including UARTS, A/D converters, SPI, and I2C. Microcontrollers differ from microprocessors in that the microprocessors generally have bigger more powerful central processing units, but need support chips for ram, rom and other peripherals.  Most modern microcontrollers use FLASH ram instead of a ROM so they can be programmed over and over. Most modern microcontrollers support in-system programming (ISP) or in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) or some similar protocol to enable a programmer/debugger to burn a program (often a bootloader) into the microcontroller after the microcontroller has been soldered in, without pulling the chip from the circuit.  Many modern microcontrollers allow self-flashing to enable bootloading or a firmware update without using a programmer/debugger.
 Unlike PCs, which have a wide range of programming languages available, microcontrollers have only a few programming languages available -- C programming language, Basic programming language, Forth programming language, assembly language, and (on a few microcontrollers) Python programming language.

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 * a '''CPU''' is something that can execute software programs. The earliest CPUs were built out of many parts, but now most CPUs are in microprocessors.
 * a '''microprocessor''' is a kind of single [[Integrated Circuits|integrated circuit]] that includes an entire CPU. In the earliest microprocessors, and some famous kinds of microprocessors still being made, the CPU fills the entire chip, and so require external RAM and ROM/FLASH memory. But now most CPUs sold are in microcontrollers[http://www.circuitcellar.com/library/designforum/silicon_update/3/index.asp].
-* A '''microcontroller''' is a kind of microprocessor that, in addition to the CPU, also includes RAM, ROM/FLASH memory, digital I/O, analog to digital convertors, and even comparators on a single die/package.
+* A '''microcontroller''' is a kind of microprocessor that, in addition to the CPU, also includes RAM, ROM/FLASH memory, and digital I/O on a single chip. Many microcontrollers also have a UART, analog to digital convertors, and even comparators on the same chip/die/package.
 A microcontroller is a little computer on a single Die/Package.  The computer includes a CPU core, RAM, ROM/FLASH, and peripherals including UARTS, A/D converters, SPI, and I2C. Microcontrollers differ from microprocessors in that the microprocessors generally have bigger more powerful central processing units, but need support chips for ram, rom and other peripherals.  Most modern microcontrollers use FLASH ram instead of a ROM so they can be programmed over and over.  Many modern microcontrollers allow self-flashing to enable bootloading or a firmware update without pulling the chip from the circuit or using a programmer/debugger.

← Older revision	Revision as of 04:02, 12 November 2014
(No difference)

@@ Line 108: / Line 108: @@
 Combined with an AVRDragon for about 60€ everybody with a budget of about 70€ is able to build and debug his own microprocessor applications. The AVRDragon allows you to debug all ATmega & ATtiny processors with less than 32k flash using DebugWire or JTAG and to program all ATmega / ATtiny devices using HVPP, ISP and JTAG.
-=== ATtiny ===
+=== [[ATtiny]] ===
 Small and somewhat lacking in I/O, but still quite powerful (20MHz System Clock, 20MIPS, 64MHz Fast  Peripheral Clock). Ideal for small spaces, limited resources, or a tight budget.
 Features include 10bit ADCs, USI, 8/16bit timer, PWM, I²C, SPI , BOD, and WDT.
 === ATmega ===

@@ Line 104: / Line 104: @@
 == Atmel AVR ==
-The AVR series is split into 4 different types:
+Atmel's line of 8 and 32-bit RISC microcontrollers are extremely easy to use and a great choice for beginners. With four series&mdash;ATtiny, ATmega, ATxmega, and AVR32&mdash;there is a large variety in price, processing power, and size, making it simple to meet a variety of needs. Many small chips are available in a [[DIP]] package that allows for quick prototyping and breadboard use.
-Especially the ATmega series is very easy to use and is the best processor for beginners. All small chips are available in the easy to use DIL package and combined with an AVRDragon for about 60€ everybody with a budget of about 70€ is able to build and debug his own microprocessor applications. The AVRDragon allows you to debug all ATmega & ATtiny processors with less than 32k flash using DebugWire or JTAG and to program all ATmega / ATtiny devices using HVPP, ISP and JTAG.
+Combined with an AVRDragon for about 60€ everybody with a budget of about 70€ is able to build and debug his own microprocessor applications. The AVRDragon allows you to debug all ATmega & ATtiny processors with less than 32k flash using DebugWire or JTAG and to program all ATmega / ATtiny devices using HVPP, ISP and JTAG.
 * [[Arduino Links]] Arduino is a development board based on AVR Microcontrollers

@@ Line 156: / Line 156: @@
 == Cypress PSoC ==
-* Cypress PSoC 8 bit FLASH microcontrollers.
+* Cypress PSoC 8-bit and 32-bit FLASH microcontroller + mixed-signal array on one chip.
 External Links:
 * [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Embedded_Systems/Cypress_PSoC_Microcontroller Wikibooks: Cypress PSoC]
-* [http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8480 SparkFun: Gainer PSoC Development Board] including USB interface -- looks very similar to the [[Arduino Links | Arduino Nano]]
+* [http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8480 SparkFun: Gainer PSoC Development Board] including USB interface -- looks very similar to the [[Arduino Links | Arduino Nano]], but it can do a lot more.
 == ARM ==

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 * [http://www.atmel.com/products/AVR/default_xmega.asp Atmel] ATxmega
 * [http://www.atmel.com/products/AVR32/ Atmel] AVR 32
 == Development Boards ==