TABLE OF CONTENTS Mike Tooley
Many of today's complex electronic systems are based on the use of a microprocessor or microcontroller. Such systems comprise hardware that is controlled by software. If it is necessary to change the way that the system behaves it is the software (rather than the hardware) that is changed.
In this chapter we provide an introduction to microprocessors and explain, in simple terms, both how they operate and how they are used. We shall start by explaining some of the terminology that is used to describe different types of system that involve the use of a microprocessor or a similar device.
Microprocessor systems are usually assembled on a single PCB comprising a microprocessor CPU together with a number of specialized support chips. These very large scale integrated (VLSI) devices provide input and output to the system, control and timing as well as storage for programs and data.
Typical applications for microprocessor systems include the control of complex industrial processes. Typical examples are based on families of chips such as the Z80CPU plus Z80PIO, Z80CTC, and Z80SIO.
A single-chip microcomputer is a complete computer system (comprising CPU, RAM and ROM etc.) in a single VLSI package. A single-chip microcomputer requires very little external circuitry in order to provide all of the functions associated with a complete computer system (but usually with limited input and output capability).
Single-chip microcomputers may be programmed using in-built programmable memories or via external memory chips. Typical applications of single-chip...
