Unit 2147: Microprocessors and Microcontrollers

1. Introduction to Microprocessors and Microcontrollers

• Definition and Overview
• Differences between Microprocessors and Microcontrollers
• Typical Applications
• High-level Architectures
• Key Components and Functional Blocks

2. Microprocessor Architecture

• Internal Architecture Overview
• Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
• Registers (General Purpose and Special Purpose)
• Control Unit: Operation and Control Signals
• System Buses: Data, Address, and Control Buses
• Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle

3. Microcontroller Architecture

• Overview of Microcontroller Components
• CPU Core: Features and Capabilities
• Memory Organization: ROM, RAM, EEPROM
• Input/Output Ports and Pin Configuration
• Timers and Counters: Functions and Types
• Serial Communication Interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C)

4. Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)

• Definition and Importance of ISA
• Types of Instructions: Data Transfer, Arithmetic, Logical, Control
• Addressing Modes: Immediate, Direct, Indirect, Indexed, Relative
• Operation Codes (Opcodes) and Format
• Comparison of ISAs in Microprocessors vs. Microcontrollers

5. Programming Languages for Microprocessors and Microcontrollers

• Assembly Language: Syntax, Structure, and Use Cases
• High-Level Languages: C and Embedded C
• Advantages and Limitations of Each Language
• Cross-Development Tools and Compilers
• Debugging Techniques

6. Embedded Systems Design

• Definition and Characteristics of Embedded Systems
• Hardware-Software Co-design Principles
• Real-Time System Constraints and Scheduling
• Power Efficiency Considerations
• Interfacing with External Devices: Sensors, Actuators

7. Input/Output (I/O) Interfacing

• Parallel Communication: Ports and Data Transfer
• Serial Communication: Protocols and Implementation
• Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC): Principles and Applications
• Digital I/O Techniques: Polling, Interrupt-driven, DMA
• Practical Examples of I/O Interfacing

8. Interrupts and Timers

• Concept and Importance of Interrupts
• Types of Interrupts: Hardware and Software
• Interrupt Handling Mechanisms
• Timers and Counters: Configuration and Usage
• Applications in Real-Time Systems

9. Memory Systems

• Types of Memory: ROM, RAM, EEPROM, Flash
• Cache Memory: Purpose and Operation
• Memory Mapping Techniques
• Memory Management and Protection
• Differences in Memory Architecture between Microprocessors and Microcontrollers

10. System-on-Chip (SoC) and System-on-Module (SoM)

• Introduction to SoC and SoM Technologies
• Integration of Processors, Memory, and Peripherals
• Benefits of Compact and Efficient Design
• Examples of SoC and SoM in Industry
• Design Challenges and Considerations