difference between microprocessor and microcontroller

Microprocessor contains an Arithmetic and Logical Unit(ALU), Control Unit(CU), and registers that assimilates all the functions of a CPU.ģ. The microcontroller has its memory installed on the chip hence it is less complex.ģ. To use external memory, we need to perform interfacing which makes it complex.Ģ. Microprocessor does not have Memory and hence needs to communicate with memory to perform various tasks. Microcontroller is a specially designed chip that is meant to perform a specific task.Ģ.

Microprocessor is a specially designed electronics chip that performs Arithmetic and Logical Operations and also communicates with other devices connected.ġ. Microcontrollers have a much wider field of applications and are used in embedded systems, smart devices and daily use appliances.Some of the basic differences between Microprocessor and Microcontroller are given below:ġ. Usage: Microprocessors are used in computers, smartphones, tablets, and other computation devices.A microcontroller can also run on batteries, while you need an AC power source for a microprocessor. Power Consumption: Microprocessor alongwith its other components requires more power while the power consumption for a microcontroller is less as there are few additional components.

Speed: Microprocessor can run at high speeds as compared to a microcontroller that can run at a speed of 200 MHz or more depending on the architecture.On the other hand, a microcontroller uses an internal bus to interact with components. Control Bus: Microprocessor uses an external bus to interact with peripheral devices such as RAM.Architecture: Microprocessor is based on the Von Neumann model, while a microcontroller is based on Harvard architecture.The microcontroller contains internal memory and input-output device ports, making it a self-sufficient computation device on which different components can be plugged in to increase the usage and productivity. Peripheral Devices: Since the microprocessor is a computation device, it requires external memory and peripheral devices alongwith circuits to join all the components.Integrated Circuit: Microprocessor is a standalone CPU, while the microcontroller is an integrated circuit housing all the required circuitry on a single circuit.

Also read: NodeMCU vs Arduino vs Raspberry Pi Microprocessor vs Microcontroller Raspberry Pi Microcontroller

Difference between microprocessor and microcontroller