1. We all know that a computer includes a CPU, hard disk, motherboard, and memory.
In fact, if the single-chip microcomputer is split, it can be understood in this way. Next, let me talk about
(1) CPU, its name has not been changed, it is still called CPU ( Central Processing Unit). It is the core component of the microcontroller, including arithmetic unit and controller. The arithmetic unit is the arithmetic logic unit ALU (Arithmetic logic Unit), and its function is to perform arithmetic and logical operations. The controller generally consists of an instruction register, an instruction decoder, a sequential circuit and a control circuit. Its function is to complete fetching instructions, decoding instructions into various micro-operations and executing instructions, while controlling various parts of the computer to work in an orderly manner.
(2) "Hard disk", changed its name, called program memory, also called read-only memory. Expressed by ROM (Read only memery). Its function is similar to the hard disk, used to store user programs. The feature is: no data loss after power failure.
(3) "Memory" has also changed its name. It is called data memory in the single-chip microcomputer, and it is also called random access memory. It is represented by RAM (Random Access Memery). Its function is to store intermediate results of calculations, data temporary villages and buffers, flag bits, etc. The characteristic is: data will be lost after power failure.
(4) "Motherboard" has also changed its name, called I/O (input and output device), of course, it also includes serial ports, parallel ports, timers, timers, and so on.
2. We call the integrated block that integrates the above things a single-chip microcomputer, which is what we often call the micro-control unit MCU (Micro Controller Unit), and it is also called an embedded controller (Embedded Controller). Now to summarize: the CPU, program memory, data memory, I/O interface circuit, timer/counter and other computer components are integrated on a single chip. A single-chip microcomputer with unique functions is called a single-chip microcomputer. Now I always understand what is MCU!