4.1 Introduction and Features of 8051
4.1 Introduction and Features of 8051
HARVARD ARCHITECTURE
It also supports internal organisation that allow instruction pre-fetching and decoding
while multiple data are fetched. Thus, while processor is writing or reading from the
data memory the program code is pre-fetched. So faster execution is possible.
As buses are separate, it is possible to have different width for address and data
bus. Thus, optimal bus width is possible in Harvard architecture.
Microcontroller
In simple word, a microcontroller is a microprocessor system in a single chip (Single-
chip-computer). That means ROM, RAM, IO ports and some peripheral devices,
necessary to built the system, are available inside the chip.
All components in a single chip has following advantages:
1. Few external components are required to build a system. Due to this:
Power consumption is less, so preferred for battery operation
System is small in size.
Increases reliability.
Low development time, as development time for interfacing is reduced.
2. HARVARD architecture can be implemented as no external pins are required
for the busses. Also, data transfer is faster as it takes place within the chip.
This increases the speed of execution.
3. As memories are inside the chip, lesser amount of memory can be fabricated
inside.
Due to improvement in fabrication technology, now-a-days moderate
amount of memory are fabricated inside modern microcontroller.
So, Microcontroller system is application specific and not used for
multitasking computer system.
4. The clock speed is also normally limited to few MHz.
N-Bit Microcontroller
An N-bit Microcontroller can process an N-Bit data at a time.
This is the width of the ALU.
Generally, the internal bus width and register sizes are also N-bit but not
necessarily.
Commercial Micro-controller
8-bit microcontrollers
– Motorola’s 6811
– Intel’s 8051
– Zilog’s Z8
– Microchip’s PIC
There are also 16-bit and 32-bit microcontrollers made by various chip
makers.
8051 Family
Intel introduced 8051, referred as MCS-51, in 1981. It became widely popular
after allowing other manufacturers to make and market it in any flavour
maintaining code compatibility with MCS-51.
• The 8051 family has the largest number of diversified (multiple source) suppliers:
• Intel (original)
• Atmel
• Philips/Signetics
• AMD
• Infineon (formerly Siemens)
• Matra
• Dallas Semiconductor/Maxim
MCS-51 Family Members
On-chip
On-chip Nos of 16-bit
DATA No of vectored Full Duplex
Device Program Memory Timers /
Memory (RAM) interrupts Serial I/O
(In Bytes) counters
(In Bytes)