This section provides an overview for mcus as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 9 mcu manufacturers and their company rankings.
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An MCU is the abbreviation for a microcontroller unit and can be considered synonymous with microprocessor.
The components of a computer can be categorized into MCU, memory, graphics and HDD drive units, and input/output devices, such as Ethernet communication interfaces.
In the early days of computers, these components were disparate and were combined to make a computer.
Among these components, MCU is based on the means to read and execute instructions that it has inside.
It is a device that reads and executes a group of instructions stored in memory one at a time.
With the rapid development of semiconductor technology since then, the memory, graphics, and various interface functions that were previously outside of the MCU have been incorporated inside the MCU due to the progress and sophistication of semiconductor microfabrication, contributing greatly to the miniaturization and weight reduction of devices.
MCUs are installed on all computers.
From supercomputers to high-performance commercial and consumer computers, as well as the notebook PCs, smartphones, and tablet devices we use every day, MCUs are found in all of them, although the scale of their use varies.
MCUs are also found in a wide variety of consumer and professional devices.
These include TVs, recorders, audio equipment, cars, motorcycles, and various measuring instruments for professional use. Many of these MCUs are also called single-chip microcomputers, and they contribute to the miniaturization of devices by incorporating peripheral hardware and other components that are optimized for their respective fields and applications.
The initial role of MCUs was to read instructions from memory, decode them, and execute them. Execution means performing operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and returning the results to memory.
Inside the MCUs, there is a predefined set of instructions that can be understood and what must be done for each instruction. The instructions in memory are sequentially read by the MCUs from the smallest address in memory and executed one after another.
According to the calculation results, data is output to or read from peripheral devices.
In addition, if a graphics function is built in, data is written to the graphics, which can then be used to read data from the LCD display or other devices connected to the graphics. The graphics function is then displayed on a connected LCD display or monitor.
If an ethernet communication function is built in, it takes in packet data sent to itself on the network, analyzes and calculates it internally, and outputs the data back to the network.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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ST Micro Electronics is a global semiconductor company serving customers with innovations to have a positive impact on people's lives. Their product line is micro electronic systems, such as switches, controllers, sensors and drivers. The main selling point of ST Micro Electronics is its provision of sustainable products, and introducing their electronics to create a more sustainable world. The company, as well as providing the electronic devices, also provides software and support, ensuring that all fields are covered to provide a fully provide a supported and strong relationship with their customer base. ST Micro Electronics believe that technology plays a key role in helping to solve environmental and social challenges, which is why their semiconductor technologies start with their employees, their customers and partners.
Infineon Technologies AG (Infineon) is headquartered in Neubiberg, Germany. Infineon designs, develops, manufactures, and markets semiconductors and related system solutions worldwide. Infineon’s automotive segment produces microcontrollers, discrete power semiconductors, IGBT modules, industrial microcontrollers, power and radar sensor ICs, SiC diodes, MOSFETs voltage regulators, comfort electronics, infotainment, powertrain, and security products. Industrial Power Control segment provides bare dies, discrete IGBTs, and driver ICs among other components. Power & Sensor Systems segment offers gas and pressure sensors, MEMS microphone chips, control ICs, and GaN power switches among others.
ROHM Semiconductor was incorporated in 1940 and is headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. ROHM manufactures and sells electronic components worldwide. ROHM operates through the segments ICs, discrete semiconductor devices, and modules. ROHM provides ICs comprising memory, amplifiers and linear, power management, clocks and timers, switches and multiplexers, logic, data converters, sensors and MEMS, display drivers, motor/actuator drivers, interfaces, communication and speech synthesis LSI, audio and video, and microcontrollers. ROHM also offers discrete semiconductor products include MOSFETs, bipolar transistors, and diodes; power devices, including power transistors and diodes, SiC power devices, IGBT, and IPM; passive devices, such as resistors, and conductive polymer and tantalum capacitors; and various modules among others.
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