7 Advantages And Disadvantages Of Microcontroller

Microcontrollers are the technology that was developed after the popularity of microprocessors.

The microprocessor had lots of limitations therefore microcontrollers were developed which is a complete computer chip in itself.

Microcontrollers are used in embedded systems much more than microprocessors because of their availability and importance.

In this post, we are going to learn the advantages and disadvantages of Microcontrollers with the pros and cons of microcontrollers, also the drawbacks and benefits of microcontrollers.

Let’s start.

Table of Contents

What is Microcontroller?

The microcontroller is an IC [integrated circuit]. Microcontrollers are also called small computers because they possess all the functionality of the computer in itself.

The microcontroller was developed in 1971 by Intel Corporation in the United States. That is the 4-bit microcontroller named i4004.

All major components are available and embedded in the microcontroller like RAM, ROM, CPU, INPUT, and OUTPUT PORT.

As these components are available in the microcontroller therefore they behave and work just like small computers not only processing but input, as well as output functions, are done with ease.

This microcontroller is used to control every part of the electronic system. These microcontrollers are also called Embedded Controllers.

Which are used in the production of robots, microwave ovens, modern cars, washing machines, etc.

These microcontrollers are designed and developed to complete a specific task given to them.

Therefore, microcontrollers are used in the majority of the electronics industry.

Types of Microcontrollers

The microcontroller is classified and categorized according to bit this phenomenon can be explained as the speed at which data is transferred or fetched or decoded or executed and data processing is called data transfer width or data length.

The main advantages of microcontrollers are they can access data much faster and they are used in small electronic devices abundantly.

There are three types of microcontrollers which are mentioned below.

8Bit Microcontroller:-
16Bit Microcontroller:-
32Bit Microcontroller:-

Advantages and Disadvantages of Microcontroller

We all know that there are two sides to the coin as there are two sides there are advantages and disadvantages of microcontrollers.

We will be going to discuss each and every topic in detail with points also with illustrative examples.

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Advantages of Microcontroller

In this section, we are going to discuss and learn 6+ advantages of microcontrollers with their benefits in points

Microcontrollers are a cheaper technology as compared to Microprocessors.
Microcontrollers are designed and developed to obtain a specific task whereas microprocessors are multitasking.
The Microcontroller is a small computer in itself components like RAM, ROM, and I/O functions are embedded in them.
Microcontrollers are used in digital equipment like washing machines, microwaves, refrigeration, etc.
As technology is developing the microcontroller which performs a single task at a particular time will sooner be multitasking.
They are used in light-sensing devices, handheld metering systems, voltmeters, led, washing machines Air conditioners, etc.
The memory, input, and output functions are available which makes the microcontroller less complicated or sophisticated.
They consume less heat and electricity.
They are used in a very compact system.
They are smart and therefore require less amount of execution time for operations.
The microcontrollers are very compact and small in size.
They possess PROM [Programmable Read-Only Memory] therefore once programmed can’t be reprogrammed.
As they are compact in size and all components are embedded in them errors are quite easy to investigate and solve.
4bit, 8bit, 16bit, 32bit, 64bit, 128bit microcontrollers are available in the market.
The microcontrollers are simple to use.
The microcontroller does not require any operating system to operate they require a standard program to operate and execute instructions.
The microcontrollers are very easily connected to other devices.
They do not require internet connectivity hence the security issues are minimized.
Microcontrollers are smart devices and inexpensive.

Disadvantages of Microcontroller

I have discussed some of the disadvantages of a microcontroller.

The microcontrollers are compact in size and therefore used in small digital equipment.
The microcontroller can’t access multitasking devices.
The major disadvantage of microcontrollers is that they can handle a single operation and task at a single time.
The microcontrollers are not multitasking.
The microcontroller can never be reprogrammed.
They do not possess any zero flags as compared to microprocessors.
They do not have any operating system installed in them.

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Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]

5 Advantages of Microprocessors?

The modern processor can work at an amazing speed (Trillions and Trillions of Instructions per Second)

Microprocessors can work with 100% accuracy. (The output is inaccurate if and only if the input is improper or inaccurate (GIGO) Garbage In Garbage Out)

They are small and Compact in Size

Modern Processors are cheaper.

Multicore processors are available in the market which are incredibly faster and cheaper.

Disadvantages of Microprocessors?

The Processor does not have their own IQ therefore they are bound to make mistakes when users fed them incorrect or improper information

The Processor can get easily damaged with improper electric current and supply.
The Single Core Processors are very slow and one cannot work on heavy software and applications.

The production of this type of processor is a tedious process

Most microprocessor does not support floating-point operations.
They require machine-level language.

Applications of Microcontroller

Industrial automation
Communication applications
Motor control applications
Test and measurement
Medical applications

Get In Touch

As technology is developing rapidly there are big innovations happening around the world. Microcontrollers are integrating new technology day by day.

Therefore in some time, they will overcome their entire disadvantage.

I hope that all the questions and queries related to the advantages and disadvantages of Microcontrollers had being answered here with the pros and cons of microcontrollers.

If you have any questions related to the drawbacks and benefits of microcontrollers.

Please feel to contact me and also if you need to add or remove something from the article which I may have forgotten to do so, please feel free to chat with me in the comment section.

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