Computer on a chip definition of Computer on a chip in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

microcontroller

A single chip that contains the processor (the CPU), non-volatile memory for the program (ROM or flash), volatile memory for input and output (RAM), a clock and an I/O control unit. Also called a "computer on a chip," billions of microcontroller units (MCUs) are embedded each year in a myriad of products from toys to appliances to automobiles. For example, a single vehicle can use 70 or more microcontrollers.

Microcontrollers come in all sizes and architectures, with the smaller, commodity chips costing as little as 50 cents in quantities of 10,000.

One of the First

This diagram shows the components of a Motorola 6801. Introduced in 1978, it was one of the first semiconductor products to claim the "computer on a chip" moniker.

Actual Images

These highly magnified images are of the actual 6801 chip. The middle picture shows all 256 bytes of RAM memory with barely six bits revealed at the bottom (400x magnification).

They Don't Get Much Smaller

These PICmicro chips from Microchip (www.microchip.com) are the world's smallest microcontrollers. Used in a myriad of applications, such chips can sell for as little as 50 cents in quantities of 10,000 (2007 dollars).

microcontroller [¦mī·krō·kən′trōl·ər]

(electronics)

A microcomputer, microprocessor, or other equipment used for precise process control in data handling, communication, and manufacturing.

(processor)

microcontroller - A microprocessor on a single integrated circuit intended to operate as an embedded system. As well as a CPU, a microcontroller typically includes small amounts of RAM and PROM and timers and I/O ports.

An example is the Intel 8751.

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No references found	The world's top chip maker and biggest producer of made-to-order chips, Intel said on Monday it plans to put its Atom -- the brains of ultra-small laptops -- on single chips that behave like an entire computer, a computer on a chip. Intel, TSMC join forces, target Atom by TradeArabia (Manama, Bahrain)	Computer Generation Incorporated computer graphics computer graphics interface computer graphics metafile Computer History Museum Computer Information File computer input from microfilm Computer Integrated Manufacturing computer language Computer Language for AeronauticS and Programming computer law computer lexicographer computer literacy Computer Management Group of Australia Computer Mathematics Computer Mediated Communication Computer Memory computer modeling computer monitoring Computer Museum History Center computer music computer nerd Computer Network computer networking computer numerical control Computer on a chip computer operation computer output microfilm computer output on microfilm Computer Output to Laser Disc Computer Output to Laser Disk computer part programming computer performance evaluation Computer peripheral devices computer power Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility computer program computer programming Computer Recycling Center computer revolution computer science computer security Computer Security Act Computer Select computer services computer sex Computer Software Configuration Item Computer Station computer storage device Computer storage technology Computer Supported Cooperative Work	Computer Network Use Supplement Computer Network Vulnerability Assessment Computer Network Vulnerability Team Computer networking Computer networking Computer Networking and Information Technology Computer Networking and Security Technology Computer Networking Professionals Association Computer Networking Research Laboratory Computer networking system Computer networks Computer networks Computer Networks and Distributed Systems Computer Networks and ISDN Computer Networks at Ease Computer Networks for Research in Europe Computer Networks Journal Computer Networks Middle East Computer Networks Pty. Ltd. Computer Networks Research Lab Computer News and Information Computer Noise Prevention System Computer Numeric Code Computer numeric control Computer numerical control Computer numerically controlled Computer numerically controlled Computer on a chip Computer On Silicon Computer On Wheels Computer On-Line Data Computer Ondersteunde Zelfstudie Computer Ondersteuning Zevenaar Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor Computer Open Systems Implementation Program Computer Operating Properly Computer operating sysem Computer operating sysem Computer operating sysem computer operation computer operation computer operation computer operation Computer Operations Administrator Computer Operations and Information Services Computer Operations Center Computer Operations Manual Computer Operations Parameters Computer Operations Specialist Computer Operations, Audit and Security Technology Computer Operations, Audit, and Security Technology lab Computer operator Computer operator Computer operator Computer operator Computer operator Computer Operator Terminal Computer Optimization Package

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The world's top chip maker and biggest producer of made-to-order chips, Intel said on Monday it plans to put its Atom -- the brains of ultra-small laptops -- on single chips that behave like an entire computer, a computer on a chip.

Intel, TSMC join forces, target Atom by TradeArabia (Manama, Bahrain)

Computer Generation Incorporated

computer graphics

computer graphics interface

computer graphics metafile

Computer History Museum

Computer Information File

computer input from microfilm

Computer Integrated Manufacturing

computer language

Computer Language for AeronauticS and Programming

computer law