What you will learn here about microprocessor vs microcontroller
- Difference between microprocessor and microcontroller
Difference between microprocessor and microcontroller
Key important difference between microprocessor and microcontroller are given below
| Parameter | Microprocessor | Microcontroller |
|---|
| 1)Defination | Microprocessor is the IC (integrated circuit) which is responsible for performing arithmetic and logical operation | Microcontroller is the IC (integrated circuit) which is responsible for performing specific type of operation. |
| 2)Block diagram |  | |
| 3)Components | Microprocessor consists of ALU, General purpose registers, stack pointer, program counter, clock timing circuit, interrupt circuit | Microcontroller consists of microprocessor, ROM, RAM, I/O Devices, Timers/Counters etc. |
| 4)Hardware | Microprocessor based system requires additional hardware | Microprocessor based system requires less hardware |
| 5)Design | RAM, ROM, I/O, timer are separate so designer can decide on the amount of RAM, ROM and I/O ports | Mircocontroller has Fix amount of on-chip ROM, RAM, I/O ports which user has to decide while selecting microcontroller |
| 6)Access time | Access time for memory and I/O are more since they are connected externally | Access time for memory and I/O are less since they are present inbuilt |
| 7)Cost | Microprocessor based systems are high cost | Mircocontroller based systems are low cost |
| 8)Application | Mainly used in Computers or laptops | Mainly used in Embedded system such as washing machine, MP3 player |
