What Are the Advantages of Using a Microcontroller? 

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Microcontrollers are a common piece of technology that is used frequently in industry and were originally developed because of the popularity surrounding microprocessors. Several limitations came with using the microprocessor and, therefore, the controller was brought in in an attempt to rectify these issues and be able to compete in the market as a complete computer chip in its own right. They have generally been embedded into systems a lot more frequently thanks to their importance and availability.

What is a Microcontroller? 

Before discussing the different advantages of a microcontroller, it is first worth going over what one is. One difference between arm processor and microcontroller (as the two are generally compared quite a lot), is that where an arm processor belongs to the family of central processing units, a microcontroller is part of an integrated circuit. They are also referred to as small computers because of the fact they possess all the different functional properties of a computer itself. 

A lot of the major components needed within software and tech are available and often embedded into the microcontroller itself. These components include RAM, ROM, INPUT, and OUTPUT PORT. It is used as a means to control every single part of the electronic system and, as such, is used frequently in the production of robots, modern cars, microwave ovens, and washing machines. 

Different Types of Microcontroller

There are a few different types of microcontrollers available. They can access pieces of data at different speeds, which is one of the main advantages that come with having a microcontroller. The different types include the following: 

  • 8Bit Microcontroller 
  • 16Bit Microcontroller 
  • 32Bit Microcontroller 

The Advantages 

So, what are some of the main advantages that come with using a microcontroller? There are a fair few that you can choose from, and they include but are not limited to some of the following: 

  • A microcontroller is both designed and developed to be able to carry out a specific task. On the other hand, microprocessors tend to multitask meaning they can be less efficient. 
  • Due to their smaller size, microcontrollers do not cost as much to produce and are also a lot more environmentally friendly than some of the other options out there. 
  • Microcontrollers are quite versatile and as such can be used in several different machines such as those that have been discussed above. 
  • There are memory, input and output functions all available and these make it so that the functions which are available make the microcontroller a lot less complicated and as such they are more sophisticated to use. 
  • They are smart, which means that when it comes to using them, there is a lot less time required for these operations. 

Conclusion 

Several different benefits come with using a microcontroller and all of these should be considered when you think about utilising them. Be sure to consider the three different types which are available and which would suit your needs most efficiently.