microprocess , microcontroller, and Soc

A microprocessor is a processor implemented (usually) on a single, integrated circuit. With the exception of those found in some large supercomputers, nearly all modern processors are microprocessors, and the two terms are often used interchangeably. Common microprocessors in use today are the Intel Pentium series, Freescale/IBM PowerPC, MIPS, ARM, and the Sun SPARC, among others. A microprocessor is sometimes also known as a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

 

A microcontroller is a processor, memory, and some I/O devices contained within a single, integrated circuit, and intended for use in embedded systems. The buses that interconnect the processor with its I/O exist within the same integrated circuit. The range of available microcontrollers is very broad. They range from the tiny PICs and AVRs (to be covered in this book) to PowerPC processors with inbuilt I/O, intended for embedded applications. In this book, we will look at both microprocessors and microcontrollers.

 

Microcontrollers are very similar to System-on-Chip (SoC) processors, intended for use in conventional computers such as PCs and workstations. SoC processors have a different suite of I/O, reflecting their intended application, and are designed to be interfaced to large banks of external memory. Microcontrollers usually have all their memory on-chip and may provide only limited support for external memory devices.