Embedded microprocessor - Revision history

Rilak: Embedded microprocessors are not microcontrollers

2009-09-07T09:21:33Z

Embedded microprocessors are not microcontrollers

← Previous revision		Revision as of 09:21, 7 September 2009
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	#REDIRECT [[~~Microcontroller~~]]		#REDIRECT [[Microprocessor]]

Radagast83: completed merger

2008-04-25T04:53:23Z

completed merger

← Previous revision		Revision as of 04:53, 25 April 2008
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			#REDIRECT [[Microcontroller]]
	{{Merge\|microcontroller\|date=April 2007}}

	'''Embedded microprocessors''' are essentially [[microprocessors]] that are used in everyday electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, household appliances, automobiles, or virtually any electronic device you could think of. Unlike [[microprocessors]], which are usually used in [[computer systems]], embedded microprocessors are usually designed to perform a certain task and the user seldom has to interact with it.

	Although not seen, embedded microprocessors are all around us. It is estimated that in 1997, there were about 30 million microprocessor chips built for [[personal computer]] use, while there were around 3 billion built for embedded purposes.[http://www.cheshirehenbury.com/embedded]

	==Characteristics of Embedded Microprocessors==
	Embedded microprocessors, although similar to normal [[microprocessors]], require little to no human interaction. This eliminates the need for a human "supervisor." The embedded microprocessor relies on the stored programs and data being sent to and from the [[microprocessor]] to control its behavior.

	===Interrupts===
	Embedded microprocessors interact with their environments through an [[interrupt]] system. Interrupts are electronic signals sent from external devices that let the processor know that they are done retrieving some data, or converting a signal, or whenever they need to use the processor. The processor then enters its interrupt handler (which is usually just another program) and decodes the source of the interrupt to take the correct action.

	===Programs===
	Like any [[computer]], the programs are stored in memory. Since we are dealing with an [[embedded system]], memory is an important issue. Keeping in trend with the miniaturization of electronics, this leaves the embedded microprocessor without large amounts of available memory. This isn't too big an issue, however, since the programs run by embedded microprocessors are usually fairly short and straightforward. So these small programs can fit onto memory built onto the chip that the processor is on.

	===Other Common Microprocessor Features===
	Aside from the memory and interrupt system, embedded processors also use a variety of other devices which are built onto the chip as well. Since embedded processors are usually used to control devices, they sometimes need to accept input from the device they are controlling. This is the purpose of the [[analog to digital converter]]. Since processors are built to interpret and process digital data, i.e. 1's and 0's, they won't be able to do anything with the analog signals that may be being sent to it by a device. So the [[analog to digital converter]] is used to convert the incoming data into a form that the processor can recognize. There is also a [[digital to analog converter]] that allows the processor to send data to the device it is controlling.

	In addition to the converters, many embedded microprocessors include a variety of timers as well. One of the most common types of timers is the [[Programmable Interval Timer]], or PIT for short. A PIT just counts down from some value to zero. Once it reaches zero, it sends an interrupt to the processor indicating that it has finished counting. This is useful for things such as thermostats, which periodically test the temperature around them to see if they need to turn the air conditioner on, the heater on, etc.

	Another feature is the time processing unit or TPU for short. It is essentially just another timer, but more sophisticated. In addition to counting down, the TPU can detect input events, generate output events, and other useful operations that are beyond the scope of this discussion.

	==Embedded Microprocessors vs. General Microprocessors==
	Although embedded microprocessors are similar to regular processors used in [[computers]], there are some differences that will be discussed below.

	===Speed Issues===
	[[Computers]] need to be very fast. Well, they don't "need" to be, but [[computer]] users don't want to sit there and wait for the [[computer]] to finish. It should be instantaneous to the user. With embedded processors, speed isn't so much of an issue (unless it's controlling something like anti-lock brakes on a car, or anything where people could get hurt). Since the embedded processor usually never interacts with people, it doesn't need to be lightning fast.

	===Instruction Sets===
	[[Computers]] generally have rather large [[instruction set]]s (the instructions that the processor actually executes). They are very general instructions, such as load data from memory to a [[register]], or perform additions, logical operations, or save data from a [[register]] to memory. For embedded systems, the instruction set isn't so large, so they generally have instructions that are only useful to the application it is designed for. Including all the other unnecessary instructions would lead to increased size and cost.

	==References==
	*http://www.cheshirehenbury.com/embedded
	[[Category:Embedded microprocessors\| Embedded microprocessor]]

68.0.124.33: Undid: I support the merge.

2008-03-26T01:30:45Z

Undid: I support the merge.

← Previous revision		Revision as of 01:30, 26 March 2008
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			{{Merge\|microcontroller\|date=April 2007}}

	'''Embedded microprocessors''' are essentially [[microprocessors]] that are used in everyday electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, household appliances, automobiles, or virtually any electronic device you could think of. Unlike [[microprocessors]], which are usually used in [[computer systems]], embedded microprocessors are usually designed to perform a certain task and the user seldom has to interact with it.		'''Embedded microprocessors''' are essentially [[microprocessors]] that are used in everyday electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, household appliances, automobiles, or virtually any electronic device you could think of. Unlike [[microprocessors]], which are usually used in [[computer systems]], embedded microprocessors are usually designed to perform a certain task and the user seldom has to interact with it.

Radagast83: Merge opposed

2008-03-05T07:08:28Z

Merge opposed

← Previous revision		Revision as of 07:08, 5 March 2008
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	{{Merge\|microcontroller\|date=April 2007}}

	'''Embedded microprocessors''' are essentially [[microprocessors]] that are used in everyday electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, household appliances, automobiles, or virtually any electronic device you could think of. Unlike [[microprocessors]], which are usually used in [[computer systems]], embedded microprocessors are usually designed to perform a certain task and the user seldom has to interact with it.		'''Embedded microprocessors''' are essentially [[microprocessors]] that are used in everyday electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, household appliances, automobiles, or virtually any electronic device you could think of. Unlike [[microprocessors]], which are usually used in [[computer systems]], embedded microprocessors are usually designed to perform a certain task and the user seldom has to interact with it.

167.83.10.22: /* Characteristics of Embedded Microprocessors */

2007-06-06T18:56:54Z

Characteristics of Embedded Microprocessors

← Previous revision		Revision as of 18:56, 6 June 2007
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	==Characteristics of Embedded Microprocessors==		==Characteristics of Embedded Microprocessors==
	Embedded microprocessors, although similar to normal [[microprocessors]], require little to no human interaction. This eliminates the need for a human "supervisor." The embedded microprocessor relies on the stored programs and data being sent to and from the [[microprocessor]] to control ~~it's~~ behavior.		Embedded microprocessors, although similar to normal [[microprocessors]], require little to no human interaction. This eliminates the need for a human "supervisor." The embedded microprocessor relies on the stored programs and data being sent to and from the [[microprocessor]] to control its behavior.

	===Interrupts===		===Interrupts===

193.60.171.133 at 16:05, 3 May 2007

2007-05-03T16:05:20Z

← Previous revision		Revision as of 16:05, 3 May 2007
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	'''Embedded microprocessors''' are essentially [[microprocessors]] that are used in everyday electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, household appliances, automobiles, or virtually any electronic device you could think of. Unlike [[microprocessors]], which are usually used in [[computer systems]], embedded microprocessors are usually designed to perform a certain task and the user seldom has to interact with it.		'''Embedded microprocessors''' are essentially [[microprocessors]] that are used in everyday electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, household appliances, automobiles, or virtually any electronic device you could think of. Unlike [[microprocessors]], which are usually used in [[computer systems]], embedded microprocessors are usually designed to perform a certain task and the user seldom has to interact with it.

	Although not seen, embedded ~~micrprocessors~~ are all around us. It is estimated that in 1997, there were about 30 million microprocessor chips built for [[personal computer]] use, while there were around 3 billion built for embedded purposes.[http://www.cheshirehenbury.com/embedded]		Although not seen, embedded microprocessors are all around us. It is estimated that in 1997, there were about 30 million microprocessor chips built for [[personal computer]] use, while there were around 3 billion built for embedded purposes.[http://www.cheshirehenbury.com/embedded]

	==Characteristics of Embedded Microprocessors==		==Characteristics of Embedded Microprocessors==

SmackBot: Date/fix the maintenance tags

2007-04-19T16:15:39Z

Date/fix the maintenance tags

← Previous revision		Revision as of 16:15, 19 April 2007
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	{{~~merge~~\|microcontroller}}		{{Merge\|microcontroller\|date=April 2007}}

	'''Embedded microprocessors''' are essentially [[microprocessors]] that are used in everyday electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, household appliances, automobiles, or virtually any electronic device you could think of. Unlike [[microprocessors]], which are usually used in [[computer systems]], embedded microprocessors are usually designed to perform a certain task and the user seldom has to interact with it.		'''Embedded microprocessors''' are essentially [[microprocessors]] that are used in everyday electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, household appliances, automobiles, or virtually any electronic device you could think of. Unlike [[microprocessors]], which are usually used in [[computer systems]], embedded microprocessors are usually designed to perform a certain task and the user seldom has to interact with it.
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	==References==		==References==
	*http://www.cheshirehenbury.com/embedded		*http://www.cheshirehenbury.com/embedded

	[[Category:Embedded microprocessors\| Embedded microprocessor]]		[[Category:Embedded microprocessors\| Embedded microprocessor]]

68.0.120.35: {{merge|microcontroller}}

2007-04-19T12:49:39Z

← Previous revision		Revision as of 12:49, 19 April 2007
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			{{merge\|microcontroller}}

	'''Embedded microprocessors''' are essentially [[microprocessors]] that are used in everyday electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, household appliances, automobiles, or virtually any electronic device you could think of. Unlike [[microprocessors]], which are usually used in [[computer systems]], embedded microprocessors are usually designed to perform a certain task and the user seldom has to interact with it.		'''Embedded microprocessors''' are essentially [[microprocessors]] that are used in everyday electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, household appliances, automobiles, or virtually any electronic device you could think of. Unlike [[microprocessors]], which are usually used in [[computer systems]], embedded microprocessors are usually designed to perform a certain task and the user seldom has to interact with it.

Gaius Cornelius: Tidy.

2006-12-14T09:13:13Z

Tidy.

← Previous revision		Revision as of 09:13, 14 December 2006
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	'''Embedded microprocessors''' are essentially [[microprocessors]] that are used in everyday electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, household appliances, automobiles, or virtually any electronic device you could think of. Unlike [[microprocessors]], which are usually used in [[computer systems]], embedded microprocessors are usually designed to perform a certain task and the user seldom has to interact with it.		'''Embedded microprocessors''' are essentially [[microprocessors]] that are used in everyday electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, household appliances, automobiles, or virtually any electronic device you could think of. Unlike [[microprocessors]], which are usually used in [[computer systems]], embedded microprocessors are usually designed to perform a certain task and the user seldom has to interact with it.

	Although not seen, embedded micrprocessors are all around us. It is estimated that in 1997, there were about 30 million microprocessor chips built for [[personal computer]] use, while there were around 3 billion built for embedded purposes.[[http://www.cheshirehenbury.com/embedded]]		Although not seen, embedded micrprocessors are all around us. It is estimated that in 1997, there were about 30 million microprocessor chips built for [[personal computer]] use, while there were around 3 billion built for embedded purposes.[http://www.cheshirehenbury.com/embedded]


	==Characteristics of Embedded Microprocessors==		==Characteristics of Embedded Microprocessors==
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	==References==		==References==
	http://www.cheshirehenbury.com/embedded		*http://www.cheshirehenbury.com/embedded

	[[Category:Embedded microprocessors\| Embedded microprocessor]]		[[Category:Embedded microprocessors\| Embedded microprocessor]]

MureninC: make the article appear at the top of its category

2006-11-18T00:22:28Z

make the article appear at the top of its category

← Previous revision		Revision as of 00:22, 18 November 2006
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	http://www.cheshirehenbury.com/embedded		http://www.cheshirehenbury.com/embedded

	[[Category:Embedded microprocessors]]		[[Category:Embedded microprocessors\| Embedded microprocessor]]