Microcontroller

A microcontroller is an integrated circuit (IC) device used for controlling other portions of an electronic system, usually via a microprocessor unit (MPU), memory, and some peripherals.

A microcontroller is a single –chip computer because ot contains memory and I/O interfaces in addition to the CPU. Because the amount of memory and interfaces that can fit on a single chip is limited, microcontrollers tend to be used in smaller systems that requires little more that the microcontroller and a few support components.

Sources:

Pandiankal, Abhilash V. A Key to Program Microcontroller System. Published by S. Chand Publishing, 2012 – 313