ECE304- Microcontroller and its Applications

Assignment - 1
Submitted By: Aditya Jain 12BEC1016 1. Define Hardware, Software, Firmware? Hardware is a physical machine that is used in electronic systems. Software is a computer program that is used to give instructions to hardware. A firmware is permanent software installed on the read only memory, i.e. it cannot be modified. 2. Define Embedded Software? Embedded software is similar to firmware. It is a computer program used to control set of machine movement. For example in electronic washing machines, it has software code for the timer, speed of the machine etc. 3. Difference between OS and RTOS? An OS or operating system is the prime software required to manipulate other software and hardware in a computer system. RTOS i.e. real time operating system is slight different from the OS. RTOS is used where rapid response of information is required rather than consuming time in processing. RTOS doesnt work under high load of tasks at the same time so as to maintain its real time response. 4. List few examples for 8-bit/16-bit and 32-bit processors/controllers? 8-bit processors: 8051 microcontroller family 16-bit processors: Motorola 68000 32-bit processors: Intel 80286 5. What does the term architecture mean? Architecture in electronics systems means a way in which the instructional setup is implemented on the microprocessor.

6. State the general characteristics of a microcontroller? Microcontrollers have 8 bit, 16 bit or 32 bit data path. They have a particular clock frequency range for appropriate functioning. The have internal memory such as RAM and ROM. Microcontrollers also include counters. 7. What is clock? A clock is a digital signal with a frequency and values varying between 0 and 1. It is used to coordinate between different electronics components. A clock is also required by some storage elements such as flip flop. Flip flops are edge triggered that means they require change of value of clock for the change in their state. 8. Difference between synchronous and asynchronous circuits? Synchronous and asynchronous circuits are both sequential circuits. But synchronous circuit include a single clock connected to all the memory elements while in asynchronous circuit clock may or may not be present and if clock is present all the elements are not connected through the same clock. 9. What is a bus? A bus is a communication system that is used for data transfer between different components inside a computer or between computers. 10. What is memory? Memory is a unit of a computer system that is used for storing data. 11. Difference between Von Neumann and Harvard architecture? Von Neumann architecture o The computer has single storage system for storing data as well as program to be executed. o Processor needs two clock cycles to complete an instruction.

o Pipelining the instructions is not possible with this architecture. Harvard architecture o The computer has two separate memories for storing data and program. o Processor can complete an instruction in one cycle if appropriate pipelining strategies are implemented.

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12. What is clock skew? In a synchronous circuit clock skew is the difference in the arrival time between two sequentially-adjacent registers.

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13. Difference between a processor and a controller? Microcontrollers are the sub class of microprocessors. Microcontrollers have less complicated architecture than highly advanced microprocessors.

Microcontrollers are used for applications consuming less memory while microprocessors can handle high memory requiring applications at the same time. 14. Explain how microcontrollers play a vital role in the field of Robotics? Microcontrollers have an important role in the field of Robotics. Since it is required to control various actions of robots so as to make them work efficiently, microcontrollers are the best option to use since they use computer coding as the set of instructions which can lead to a synchronized movement of the robot. 15. Name some day to day electronic devices were you employ processors? Some day to day electronics devices which use microprocessor are Mobile phones, washing machine, microwave oven, scientific calculators etc. 16. What is TTL, DTL, ECL? These are the logic family differentiated by the electrical component used. TTL: Transistor transistor logic DTL: Diode transistor logic ECL: Emitter coupled logic