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Microcontroller Examples Click the name for details with circuit board layouts. The actual devices are much smaller than the layouts shown.  Musical Game Tire Pressure
Monitoring
Tire Rotation
Computer MonitoringVideo
Modulator
Microcontrollers are incredibly powerful for their size, cost and power consumption. They are as powerful as the minicomputers of the 1970s, much smaller than your little fingernail and consume microwatts of power. These tiny jewels can be found in everything from consumer goods to industrial control and everything in between. Whenever there is a requirement for a smart device in a dedicated application, a microcontroller is often the first and best choice. There is a wealth of microcontrollers for different application. Functions included "on chip" can be powerful processors and specialized (peripheral) functions. Many microcontrollers have ROM, RAM and other functions such as data acquisition subsystems on chip. There is a vast number of peripheral chips designed to work with microcontrollers. They can communicate with each other and other things to accomplish more complex tasks. Communication routines can even include TCP/IP, the standard for the internet. The manufacturers of these devices write and test code for specific functions and the control of other devices. These code functions or snippets greatly facilitate program design and creation. You can even program them using higher level languages such as C and Basic. Several real time operating systems are available. You can even have Windows CE. A whole variety of different parts with different programming features are available. Microcontrollers can have their programming erased using an ultraviolet light and reprogrammed. Some can be reprogrammed electrically (like flash cards). Microcontrollers are excellent when prototyping and making small runs. Changes in the design can often be accomplished by reprogramming the chip on the circuit board. Programming a lot to the latest software version can be accomplished just before shipping. Reprogramming can even be performed in the field. With all the power and functionality of these marvels it seems ironic that cost is often the overwhelming consideration. The decision of what part to use is sometimes solely based on the number of input / output pins and the lowest cost part to meet the needs. Programming can be elaborate but is often as simple an measuring a sensor and flipping a switch.
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