A soft-core processor can be executed via different semiconductor devices, such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). An ASIC is customized for a specific application, whereas the FPGA’s programmable logic blocks … Read more
Category: Embedded Systems
We cover embedded systems, microcontroller or microprocessor based systems that are designed to perform a specific task or a number of tasks i.e. intelligent computing devices like industrial robots, industrial measurement and control instruments, IoT machines, security systems, smart home devices, GPS systems, medical systems, among many other devices. We also look at the programming of microcontrollers used in these systems using PICBASIC specifically for Microchip PIC microcontrollers and using C, Java and a bit of Assembly language for other microcontrollers including PIC.
What is a Soft-Core Processor?
A soft-core processor is a microprocessor core that can be implemented entirely using digital logic synthesis. It is typically created on a programmable hardware like a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The key feature of a FPGA is that it … Read more
Programming Embedded Systems in Assembly Language vs. High-Level Language
Assembly Language Programming
Assembly language programming of an embedded system has the following advantages:
- The machine codes are compact, processor and memory sensitive. This is due to the fact that, the codes
What is an Embedded System?
Since this is an ever evolving field with advancement in technology, you will find various definitions of embedded systems out there but what stands out from all of them is that, they are electronic systems that contain either a microprocessor … Read more
PIC16F84 Microcontroller Features
PIC16F84 belongs to a class of 8-bit microcontrollers of RISC architecture (i.e. microcontrollers with Reduced Instruction Set Computer). This is a low cost Microchip microcontroller with EEPROM flash memory for program and data storage. It has no built-in Analog to … Read more
Microprocessor vs. Microcontroller
A microprocessor by itself is not a computer. To be functional, the microprocessor must be connected to other ICs that provide the memory and I/O capability. A microcontroller is a computer on a single IC, designed specifically for control applications. … Read more
Basic Structure of a Microcontroller
A microcontroller is essentially a computer on a chip. It contains a processing unit, ROM, RAM, Serial communication ports, ADCs, etc. In other words, a microcontroller is a computer but without the monitor, keyboard and mouse. They are called microcontrollers … Read more
Microprocessors in Mechatronics Systems
To make a change in functionality of a digital circuit, the hardware circuitry must be modified and this may require a redesign. For simple design tasks, this might work however in many mechatronic systems; the control tasks may involve … Read more