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EE 260 Lecture 4: Appropriate Microcontroller Use

This document discusses alternatives to microcontrollers for embedded systems applications, including ASICs, CPLDs, FPGAs, DSPs, PLCs, and microprocessors. It provides brief descriptions of each alternative's characteristics, such as speed and flexibility. The document concludes by listing factors to consider when selecting a microcontroller, such as computational power required, programming ease, interfacing needs, and system requirements.

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22 views12 pages

EE 260 Lecture 4: Appropriate Microcontroller Use

This document discusses alternatives to microcontrollers for embedded systems applications, including ASICs, CPLDs, FPGAs, DSPs, PLCs, and microprocessors. It provides brief descriptions of each alternative's characteristics, such as speed and flexibility. The document concludes by listing factors to consider when selecting a microcontroller, such as computational power required, programming ease, interfacing needs, and system requirements.

Uploaded by

indrahermawan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Download as pdf or txt
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EE 260 Lecture 4

Appropriate Microcontroller Use


Alternatives to µC
• ASIC!
• CPLD!
• DSP!
• FPGA!
• PLC!
• µP

EE 260 Lecture 4: Appropriate Microcontroller Use


Alternatives to µC: ASIC
Application Specific Integrated Circuit

Fully-Custom: All layers of the IC are


optimized for the application.

Semi-Custom: Bottom layers are


optimized. “Top layer available.”

EE 260 Lecture 4: Appropriate Microcontroller Use


Alternatives to µC: ASIC
• Application Specific Integrated
Circuit!
• Fully-Custom: All layers of the IC
are optimized for the application.!
• Semi-Custom: Bottom layers are
optimized. “Top layer available.”!
• VERY Fast!
• Not very flexible.
EE 260 Lecture 4: Appropriate Microcontroller Use
Alternatives to µC: CPLD
• Complex Programmable Logic Device!
• in between a PAL and a FPGA!
• Logic Block: Macro cell 

“sea-of-gates”!
• Chip contains non-volatile memory!
• Fast and somewhat flexible

EE 260 Lecture 4: Appropriate Microcontroller Use


Alternatives to µC: FPGA
• Field Programmable Gate Array!
• Large interconnection matrix, logic gates, RAM!
• May have analog capability

e.g., A/D and D/A!
• Programmed by a

computer (VHDL)

EE 260 Lecture 4: Appropriate Microcontroller Use


Alternatives to µC: DSP
• Digital Signal Processor!
• Serious number crunching!
• Designed around inputs and outputs

(digital and analog)!
• May include !
• quadrature decoders!
• PWM!
• Serial Communications
EE 260 Lecture 4: Appropriate Microcontroller Use
Alternatives to µC: PLC
• Programmable Logic Controller!
• Designed for Industrial

Applications!
• Expandable via modules!
• Very broad range of capabilities!
• Can do centralized or decentralized control!
• Often programmed graphically

EE 260 Lecture 4: Appropriate Microcontroller Use


Alternatives to µC: µP
• Powerful Processing—math!
• Design with certain peripherals

in mind!
• Not able to directly interface

with either analog or digital inputs (excp: audio)!
• Significant memory!
• Runs an OS!
• May be single-board
EE 260 Lecture 4: Appropriate Microcontroller Use
Alternatives to µC: µC
• Arduino (20 varieties)!
• MAKE Controller!
• PICKAXE!
• BASIC Stamp

EE 260 Lecture 4: Appropriate Microcontroller Use


Selection of MCU
How do you choose the MCU?
• Define the System Requirements!
• Choose the processor technology!
• List all good candidates!
• Finalize the selection

EE 260 Lecture 4: Appropriate Microcontroller Use


System Requirements
1. Computational 7. Interfacing / 14. Timer/Counter
Power! Compatibility! Functions!
2. Ease of 8. Overall cost! 15. Handling media!
Programming!
9. Versatility! 16. Overall time
3. Speed of required to
10. Communication
Operation! assemble!
w/other devices!
4. Interrupts! 17. EMI/EMC!
11. Safety!
5. Reconfiguration! 18. Size!
12. Upgradability!
6. Power/Heat! 19. Availability
13. Memory!

EE 260 Lecture 4: Appropriate Microcontroller Use

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