What is a single-chip microcomputer? What is a single-chip microcomputer?

      A single-chip microcomputer is also called a single-chip microcontroller. It is not a chip that completes a certain logical function, but a computer system integrated into one chip. In general, a chip becomes a computer. It is small in size, light in weight, cheap in price, and provides convenient conditions for learning, application and development. At the same time, learning to use a single-chip microcomputer is the best choice to understand the principles and structure of computers.

      It can be said that the 20th century spanned three "electrical" eras, namely the electrical era, the electronic era and the computer era that has now entered. However, this type of computer usually refers to a personal computer, referred to as a PC. It consists of a host, a keyboard, a display, etc. (as shown in Figure 1). There is another type of computer that most people are not very familiar with. This type of computer is a single-chip microcomputer (also known as a microcontroller) that gives intelligence to various machines. As the name suggests, the smallest system of this computer uses only one integrated circuit to perform simple calculations and control. Because it is small in size, it is usually hidden in the "belly" of the controlled machine. It plays a role like a human brain in the entire device. If it goes wrong, the entire device will be paralyzed. At present, the application fields of this single-chip microcomputer are very wide, such as intelligent instruments, real-time industrial control, communication equipment, navigation systems, household appliances, etc. Once various products use single-chip microcomputers, they can upgrade the products. The adjective "intelligent" is often added before the product name, such as intelligent washing machines. Some products developed by technicians in some factories or other amateur electronic developers are either too complicated in circuit or too simple in function and easy to be imitated. The reason may be that the products do not use single-chip microcomputers or other programmable logic devices.

      It can be said that the 20th century spanned three "electrical" eras, namely the electrical era, the electronic era and the computer era that has now entered. However, this kind of computer usually refers to a personal computer, referred to as a PC. It consists of a host, a keyboard, a display, etc. (as shown in Figure 1). There is another type of computer that most people are not familiar with. This computer is a single-chip microcomputer (also known as a microcontroller, as shown in Figure 2) that gives intelligence to various machines. As the name suggests, the smallest system of this computer uses only one integrated circuit to perform simple calculations and controls. Because of its small size, it is usually hidden in the "belly" of the controlled machine. It plays a role like the human brain in the whole device. If it goes wrong, the whole device will be paralyzed. Now, this kind of single-chip microcomputer has been used in a wide range of fields, such as intelligent instruments, real-time industrial control, communication equipment, navigation systems, household appliances, etc. Once various products use single-chip microcomputers, they can play the role of upgrading products. The adjective "intelligent" is often added before the product name, such as smart washing machines. Now some products made by technicians in some factories or other amateur electronic developers are either too complicated in circuit or too simple in function and easy to be imitated. The reason may be that the product does not use single-chip microcomputers or other programmable logic devices.

      Application fields of single-chip microcomputers:

1. Application of single-chip microcomputers in intelligent instruments and meters;

2. Application of single-chip microcomputers in industrial measurement and control;

3. Application of single-chip microcomputers in computer networks and communication technologies;

4. Application of single-chip microcomputers in daily life and home appliances;

5. Single-chip microcomputers in office automation.

      At present, single-chip microcomputers have penetrated into all areas of our lives, and it is almost difficult to find a field without traces of single-chip microcomputers. Missile navigation devices, control of various instruments on aircraft, computer network communication and data transmission, real-time control and data processing of industrial automation processes, widely used various smart IC cards, safety systems of civilian luxury cars, control of video recorders, cameras, fully automatic washing machines, as well as program-controlled toys, electronic pets, etc., all of these are inseparable from single-chip microcomputers. Not to mention robots, intelligent instruments, and medical devices in the field of automatic control. Therefore, the study, development and application of single-chip microcomputers will create a group of scientists and engineers in computer application and intelligent control.