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RE: Microprocessor Vs. Microcontroller

in #electronics7 years ago (edited)

Why are you comparing two completely different things?

MCUs and CPUs are not comparable, even they seem similar.

MCUs are created to control devices on lowest possible level (like hardware support for USB, I2C, SPI), maybe with some basic DSP stuff (like digital signal filtering). Their strong point is not calculating, except if a MCU has instructions for more complex arithmetic.

CPUs hovewer are created to compute stuff. All kinds of stuff. To control devices CPU has to its disposal external I/O controllers which are held chipset.

CPU cannot do anything by itself, you need crapload of other chips in order to do something.

MCU on the other side is autonomic, for instance if we take AVR microcontroller like in Arduino, to make it work we need one resitor on RESET pin, two caps on VCC and GND and if you want to program the MCU - a hardware programmer.

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Yes you are right but I believe he compared this two very distinct things in order to clarify things especially for the people who have little knowledge about electronics. Not all people have the same capabilities and understanding of the things that surround them. Let's say for example, if I am not an Electronics Engineering student, I would be confused which is which. When I am not yet studying Electronics, for me, they all look the same. I appreciate your comment though :) thanks.

Thank you for anwser.

For me this comparison is non-sense, for example MPU is an memory protection unit which guards data RAM, preventing any incorrect access to it. I think that this is a typo as he is describing CPU not just an MPU.

Hi @jarric. Good day sir! The blog just refer to the comparison between microprocessor and a microcontroller. I am discussing MPU AND MCU not MCU and CPU. The spelling though is not the same. Well thanks for noticing this blog. :) Have a good day!

I am trying to point out that you do not abbreviate a microprocessor as MPU but as CPU. MPU is solely reserved for Memory Protection Unit and it might confuse some people.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microprocessor, http://infocenter.arm.com/help/index.jsp?topic=/com.arm.doc.ddi0337e/BIHJJABA.html

Now I get you. That's what I just learned from my teacher though! anyway, thanks for commenting

I'm sorry. I didn't make it clear enough.