Appearing in almost every situation where low-cost, real-time control is required, microcontrollers vary from the simplest devices with a few bytes of RAM and simple programs to those with huge resources and capable of running real-time operating systems.

 

Microcontrollers are microprocessors with the built-in peripherals, RAM, clocking, timers and program memory. Most microcontrollers have some analogue interface capability having at least one ADC but they may also have PWM, DACs, op-amps and comparators too.

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Steve has been working with dsPIC and PIC Microchip  microcontrollers since the 16F84 was introduced in 1995. Development & debugging is usually carried out in MPLAB X.

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As the devices are generally programmed in C or C++ this means that the function of the board can often be changed without having to redesign the PCB.

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Microcontrollers can generally be optimised for low power or high speed and usually have good support for external peripherals.

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Having so many features internally helps to reduces both the size and cost of the board as well as the PCB design time.