Microcontroller
From Organic Design wiki
A computer on a chip device that combines a range of useful hardware in a convienent package. Also known as a MCU in technical some documents.
In a microcontroller package you would expect to find flash memory (usually NAND type), RAM, CPU, analogue to digital converters, tri-state input/outputs, internal oscillator (often an external crystal is used anyway), ICSP interface.
ICSP enables the flash memory top be programmed via a simple five-wire serial protocol. This standard applies to AVR, PIC and others. A simple circuit connected to a PC serial port enables convienent programming of the MCU without removing it from it's socket.
Common microcontrollers
- PIC
- PICaxe series
- AVR
- ATMEGA168 - as used on the Arduino prototype board
Usage
We plan to use a MCU to control front panel displays and indicators.
Microcontroller boards
- Arduino
- Arduino NG AVR microprocessor board
- Schematics
- PIC
