What is a Microcontroller?

Microcontroller?

• A microcontroller (abbreviated µC, uC or MCU) is a small computer on a single integrated circuit
• It has a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals.
• Microcontrollers are dedicated to one task and run one specific program continuously.
• The program is stored in ROM(read-only memory) and generally does not change.
• Microcontrollers are "embedded" inside some other device (often a consumer product) so that they can control the features or actions of the product
• Another name for a microcontroller, is "embedded controller."
  

• A typical low-end microcontroller chip might have 1,000 bytes of ROM and 20 bytes of RAM on the chip,along with eight I/0 pins
• With a microcontroller, you have one specific task you are trying to accomplish, and low-cost, low-power performance is what is important.