On Sun, 10 Jun 2007 02:07:54 -0000, joshc <josh.curtz@gmail.com>
wrote:
>I have always liked to distinguish a microprocessor from a
>microcontroller based on whether or not there are integrated
>peripherals on the same chip or just a CPU. There are some companies
>that seem to refer to what I traditionally thought of as
>microcontrollers by the term du jour, System-on-a-Chip. Are these two
>terms synonymous? Furthermore, sometimes these SOCs are referred to in
>the same documentation as processors. Isn't this a bit imprecise, and
>wouldn't calling them microcontrollers be better since they are a
>processor + a bunch of integrated peripherals and memories?
>
>Thanks.
Whilst i do like wine, I musch prefer beer. Sometimes i drink cider
too. I guess the are all the same.
Reply by Robert Adsett●June 10, 20072007-06-10
In article <f4hq72$5jf$03$4@news.t-online.com>, Hans-Bernhard Br�ker
says...
> Robert Adsett wrote:
>
> > BTW the distinction I always heard between microcontroller and
> > microprocessor was the microcontroller did not have an external bus and
> > the microprocessor did.
>
> Which of course makes a dog's ear out of any chip that can be configured
> to either have one or not.
>
> BTW the distinction I always heard between microcontroller and
> microprocessor was the microcontroller did not have an external bus and
> the microprocessor did.
Which of course makes a dog's ear out of any chip that can be configured
to either have one or not.
Reply by steve●June 10, 20072007-06-10
On Jun 9, 7:07 pm, joshc <josh.cu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I have always liked to distinguish a microprocessor from a
> microcontroller based on whether or not there are integrated
> peripherals on the same chip or just a CPU. There are some companies
> that seem to refer to what I traditionally thought of as
> microcontrollers by the term du jour, System-on-a-Chip. Are these two
> terms synonymous? Furthermore, sometimes these SOCs are referred to in
> the same documentation as processors. Isn't this a bit imprecise, and
> wouldn't calling them microcontrollers be better since they are a
> processor + a bunch of integrated peripherals and memories?
>
> Thanks.
SOC are more integrated then microcontrollers (e.g., the portalplayers
are a good example) multi cpu's, built in charge pumps (multi
regulators), specialized media processors, integration of different
dies for analog and digital (DAC+ audio amps for headphones), built in
Li-Ion chargers, none of which are seen in your standard
microcontrollers.
Reply by Robert Adsett●June 10, 20072007-06-10
In article <1181441274.468076.40490@w5g2000hsg.googlegroups.com>, joshc
says...
> I have always liked to distinguish a microprocessor from a
> microcontroller based on whether or not there are integrated
> peripherals on the same chip or just a CPU. There are some companies
> that seem to refer to what I traditionally thought of as
> microcontrollers by the term du jour, System-on-a-Chip. Are these two
> terms synonymous? Furthermore, sometimes these SOCs are referred to in
> the same documentation as processors. Isn't this a bit imprecise, and
> wouldn't calling them microcontrollers be better since they are a
> processor + a bunch of integrated peripherals and memories?
I think you are expecting a precision in the language that just isn't
there. All definitions three terms have as much to do with marketing as
real distinctions, and the distinctions were not that cut and dried to
begin with.
Although I do expect a spate of definitions to pop up with a theological
discussion on how many micros can dance on the head of a pin now ;)
BTW the distinction I always heard between microcontroller and
microprocessor was the microcontroller did not have an external bus and
the microprocessor did.
SOC seems to be, or have quickly become, almost entirely a marketing
term from what I can see.
Robert
--
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Reply by joshc●June 9, 20072007-06-09
I have always liked to distinguish a microprocessor from a
microcontroller based on whether or not there are integrated
peripherals on the same chip or just a CPU. There are some companies
that seem to refer to what I traditionally thought of as
microcontrollers by the term du jour, System-on-a-Chip. Are these two
terms synonymous? Furthermore, sometimes these SOCs are referred to in
the same documentation as processors. Isn't this a bit imprecise, and
wouldn't calling them microcontrollers be better since they are a
processor + a bunch of integrated peripherals and memories?
Thanks.