Mikrocontrollers

Mikrocontrollers are integrated circuits designed to control the operations of embedded devices. They combine a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals on a single chip, enabling devices to execute a dedicated set of tasks with real-time requirements. Unlike general-purpose microprocessors, mikrocontrollers are optimized for small size, low power, and cost, and are typically used in standalone control applications.

Typical mikrocontroller architectures include 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit cores. A device usually contains flash or ROM for firmware, RAM for data, and peripherals such as I/O ports, timers, counters, and analog-to-digital (and sometimes digital-to-analog) converters. Communication interfaces like UART, I2C, SPI, CAN, USB, or Ethernet are common. Many MCUs feature on-chip peripherals and limited external memory, enabling compact, energy-efficient designs. Some MCUs support low-power modes and wake-up from sleep to conserve energy.

Programming is usually performed in C or C++ and sometimes assembly. Development often uses integrated development environments and toolchains provided by the manufacturer or community, such as GCC-based compilers, debuggers, and in-system programming capabilities with bootloaders. Small footprints and simple firmware structures are common; some devices run tiny real-time operating systems or no OS at all.

Applications include consumer electronics, appliances, automotive systems, industrial automation, and sensors in IoT devices. They are favored for embedded tasks that require predictable timing, compact form factors, and low power consumption, while their limited processing power and memory make them unsuitable for tasks that require complex operating systems or heavy computation.