How Microcontrollers Work?

 Of all the improvements and changes made in the field of electronics over the past few decades, microcontroller technology might be the most satisfying. These remarkable devices are used in everything from microwave ovens and cars to televisions and computer printers. In fact, it would be difficult to put together a list of microcontroller uses without missing a few.

Some modern devices, such as cars and more complex machinery use multiple microcontrollers. If you have heard the terms “brain” or “computer” applied to the overall operation of a car’s engine, you have heard about the microcontroller that keeps most automobile systems in operation.The best way to get a vision of a microcontroller is to think of it as a small computer. In fact, this tiny but important object has many of the same features and benefits of larger, more complex computers. They have a central processing unit (referred to as the CPU) in which the software programs work. Computers execute the programs to accomplish various tasks. Each computer has a storage device, such as a hard drive, a flash drive or a CD. Information from this larger storage device is stored in part in the random-access memory.

A microcontroller has all of these components in some form. It’s designed to be small and it’s designed to be specific to a certain task or use. They are also solid-state, integrated circuits. This separates them from larger units such as a personal computer that can perform a number of different jobs for the user. Because they are so small, microcontrollers can be part of a larger device, such as the television, car or appliance mentioned earlier. They are programmed to control specific activity within that larger device. Their memory storage and programs are also very specific to the task at hand.

 Microcontroller outline with its basic elements and internal connections

 

Most microcontrollers use very low amounts of electrical power and don’t have moving parts, large input devices such as a keyboard or big display screens. In some cases, the microcontroller shows that it is working by powering a small light-emitting diode (LED) or simply by the expected activity taking place.

One good example might be an entertainment center in the home. If a person operates the CD player, television set or other device by remote control a microcontroller (tiny computer) receives information from the remote control device and transfers that information to the right place within the larger electronic system. This same type of activity takes place in a car when the key is turned, when one of the accessories is switched etc. A microcontroller takes input from these points and takes the input on to the next step. 

Smaller devices might use simpler microcontrollers that have been in efficient use for decades. In more complicated systems, the microcontroller might be a bit more powerful, yet still available at low cost and using very little electrical power to perform their tasks. While larger computer chips and storage drives might have millions of bytes of capability, some microcontrollers used in modern electronic devices have only 1,000-byte storage capability. But with such specific tasks this is all that’s needed.