microcontroller
Single-chip computer
A microcontroller is a compact integrated circuit designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system.
Unlike general-purpose computers, microcontrollers contain a processor, memory, and input/output peripherals on a single chip, optimized for dedicated tasks: running a washing machine's cycles, managing a car's fuel injection, or reading sensor data.
They're the brains behind most everyday electronics that don't require a full computer.
Small broken-off piece
- PCBElectronic component substrate
- circuitClosed electrical pathway
- ArduinoOpen-source prototyping platform
- breadboardSolderless circuit-building platform
pin · register · clock · oscillator · crystal · voltage regulator · capacitor · resistor
Interconnected smart device ecosystem
- wearablesBody-mounted tech devices
- roboticsAutomaton design field
- home automationTechnology controlling household systems
- smart devicesNetwork-linked electronic products
weather station · drone · thermostat · security system · garage door · irrigation · RFID · data logger
Hardware's permanent programming
- assemblyConstructing from components
- debuggingError removal from programs
- flashBrief burst of light
- compileCollect into unified whole
IDE · interrupt · loop · register · bootloader · source code · library · HAL
Partial electrical conductor
- transistorSemiconductor signal switch
- waferThin crisp disk
- CMOSSemiconductor logic architecture
- photolithographyLight-transfers patterns onto silicon
cleanroom · die · silicon · microfabrication · MEMS · packaging · through-hole · soldering
chip
Small broken-off piece
- PCBElectronic component substrate
- circuitClosed electrical pathway
- ArduinoOpen-source prototyping platform
breadboard · pin · register · clock · oscillator · crystal · voltage regulator · capacitor · resistor · LED
IoT
Interconnected smart device ecosystem
- wearablesBody-mounted tech devices
- roboticsAutomaton design field
- home automationTechnology controlling household systems
smart devices · weather station · drone · thermostat · security system · garage door · irrigation · RFID · data logger · smart lock
firmware
Hardware's permanent programming
compile · IDE · interrupt · loop · register · bootloader · source code · library · HAL · bare-metal
semiconductor
Partial electrical conductor
- transistorSemiconductor signal switch
- waferThin crisp disk
- CMOSSemiconductor logic architecture
photolithography · cleanroom · die · silicon · microfabrication · MEMS · packaging · through-hole · soldering · reflow
- electronicscomputer, resistors, capacitors, TVs, TV
- roboticsrobot, android, humanoid, robotic arm, servo
- controlsbutton, switch, dial, knob, lever
- electronic componentsresistor, capacitor, transistor, diode, inductor
- Micromicrobes, microchip, microchips, microwave, microbiology
- Microchipschip, CPU, microchip, IC, integrated circuit
microcontrollersupercomputer
Ultra-powerful computing system
mainframe · desktop computer · workstation · data center · server