Microcontroller and microprocessor are often used in synonymous with each other because they share some common features. Both of them have been designed for real time applications. But there are significant differences between these two IC’s. Both IC’s have different internal structure and applications. Key difference in both of them is that microcontroller chip has processor and memory embedded on it but microprocessor chip is just a processor so we have to attach external parts with it. They cannot be distinguished by looking at them. They can be differentiated in terms of their structure, internal parameters, applications, cost, power consumption etc.
Let’s discuss about them and figure out major differences between the two.
Microprocessor
Microprocessor is a general purpose CPU fabricated on a silicon IC. It is a controlling unit of micro-computer. It is also called the heart of computer system. It carries out all the arithmetic and logical operations and communicates with other devices connected to it.
Microprocessors are designed for general purpose applications. They are used to perform tasks involving complex processing and high memory like gaming and where input and output are not defined. Some examples of microprocessors are pentium, Intel I3, I5, I7.
Microprocessor is used to carry out intensive processes. As we know in order to complete these process other parts are also required along with CPU. So it is connected with RAM/ROM, timers, I/O ports, serial interface and other peripheral devices to execute the process. The Size and number of external parts depend upon application. It’s biggest advantage is that it has flexible structure. It means we can adjust the number and size of external parts according to application.
There are five important components in microprocessor i.e., Arithmetic and Logic Unit, Control Unit, Registers, Instruction Decoder and Data Bus. Block diagram of microprocessor is shown as follows:
Microcontroller
A microcontroller is designed for specific task in embedded applications. Once the program is embedded on the microcontroller chip it cannot be changed until you have a specific programmer to burn the code into microcontroller chip. It is optimized to control electronic devices. It is like a small computer on a single chip. It is considered a high-end device with the microprocessor, I/O ports, memory and timers, all components present on a single IC. The process of the microcontroller is defined according to its application. Thus, it does processing according to the given input and provides the predefined result as the output.
It is used in the applications that require a certain degree of control like washing machines, microwave oven, traffic light control, smartwatches, LED control panel, TV remote, temperature control etc. It’s the brain of a computer system that performs a specific task without any external component. Since it does not have any external component, power consumption is low which makes it suitable for devices running on batteries. Also, it is inexpensive and compact in size.
Modern microcontrollers are 32-bit and 64-bit. Some powerful microcontrollers are 8051, AVR and PIC series. Block diagram of microcontroller is shown as follows:
Microprocessor vs Microcontroller
| Microprocessor | Microcontroller |
|---|---|
| The cost of systems built using microprocessors is high because external peripheral devices are attached with it. | The cost of systems using microcontroller is low because circuitry required for processing is integrated on a single chip. |
| The clock frequency is high usually in GigaHertz. | The clock frequency is less usually in MegaHertz. |
| Some examples of microprocessor are Pentium, Intel I3/I5/I7 etc. | Some example of microcontroller are 8051, AVR etc. |
| Microprocessor is generally used in computer system. | Microcontroller is generally used in embedded applications. |
| Microprocessor is a general purpose CPU on a single integrated chip. | Microcontroller is a like a small computer integrated on a single chip. |
| Microprocessor does not have RAM/ROM, I/O ports, timers etc integrated on chip. They have to be connected externally to it. | Microcontroller has CPU along with memory, I/O ports, timers and other peripheral embedded on a single chip. |
| Microprocessor based system can perform numerous tasks. | Microcontroller based systems perform specific tasks. |
| Microprocessor are based on Von Neumann model/architecture where program and instruction data are stored in same memory module. | Microcontroller are based on Harvard architecture where program and data instructions are stored separate. |
| Due to external components, power consumption of microprocessor based system is high. | Since all the component are present on the chip, its power consumption is low. |
| Computational capacity of microprocessor is very high. It can perform Complex tasks. | Computational capacity of microcontroller is less as compared to microprocessor. It is used to perform simple tasks. |
