What is a microcontroller?

A microcontroller is a small, low-cost, integrated circuit designed to manage a specific task in an embedded system. Essentially a tiny computer on a chip, a standard microcontroller has a processor, memory, and input/output (I/O) peripherals on a semiconductor integrated circuit chip. Developed and put to use by an engineer at Texas Instruments in the early 1970s, microcontrollers are used in an assortment of computer-linked systems and devices. In some devices, there are usually several microcontrollers that work together to handle the specific tasks within a device. In cars, for example, several microcontrollers often communicate to manage processes like fuel injection, anti-lock braking systems, suspension, or traction control. In doing so, they provide instructions to these devices to accomplish individual tasks.

Why is it important to learn about microcontrollers?

It's important to learn about microcontrollers for their uses in many of the processes in machines, appliances, and devices. Having knowledge of how they operate can help you move within industries that use minicomputer power for their devices. Because microcontrollers are used for specific tasks, they do not require the extra RAM, ROM, and other peripherals embedded into a single chip that a microprocessor would need to power up a computer. The most common microcontrollers include the 8051 microcontrollers used for many general purposes, the low-cost PIC microcontrollers, ARM microcontrollers used in RISC computer applications, and AVR microcontrollers, which are used in cars and trucks, office machines, automated vending machines, and home appliances.

What are typical careers that use microcontrollers?

The use of microcontrollers in many industries means you can find multiple career opportunities in materials handling, production specialist roles, application engineers jobs, and other similar engineering-focused jobs with a chip maker or similar company. Microcontrollers are used to power the systems in our homes and workplaces and to build automation. They're found in industrial automation, manufacturing processes, robotics engineering, smart energy applications, and Internet of Things innovations.

How can online courses help me learn about microcontrollers?

When you take online courses about microcontrollers, you can learn their importance in real-time operating systems. You can also learn about the history and application of microcontrollers throughout the years. Taking online courses can help you understand how microcontroller technology is used in today's computer architecture and applications. You will likely also gain insights about the miniaturization of computing power and the multiple ways that microcontrollers have transformed our manufacturing processes.

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University of Colorado Boulder
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Feature Engineering, Computer Architecture, Research and Design, Logic, Interactive Design, Systems Design, Probability & Statistics, Communication, Network Architecture, Computer Networking, Linear Algebra, Computer Graphics, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Electronics, Security Engineering, Estimation, Graphics Software, Data Management, Markov Model, User Experience, Machine Learning, Design and Product, Entrepreneurship, Python Programming, Operations Research, Language, Hardware Design, Differential Equations, Human Computer Interaction, Geometry, Analysis, Computer Programming, Leadership and Management, Strategy and Operations, Programming Principles, Statistical Visualization, Operating Systems, Theoretical Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Computational Logic, Internet Of Things, Data Visualization, Computer Graphic Techniques, System Software, Algorithms, Statistical Machine Learning, Interfaces, Power Electronics, Mathematics, Simulation
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University of California, Irvine
An Introduction to Programming the Internet of Things (IOT)
Skills you'll gain: Arduino, C Programming Language Family, Computational Thinking, Computer Architecture, Computer Graphics, Computer Networking, Computer Programming, Hardware Design, Human Computer Interaction, Interactive Design, Internet, Internet Of Things, Microarchitecture, Network Architecture, Network Security, Operating Systems, Other Programming Languages, Python Programming, Security Engineering, Statistical Programming, Theoretical Computer Science, Virtual Reality
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Beginner · Specialization
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Digital Signal Processing
Skills you'll gain: Algebra, Algorithms, Applied Mathematics, Computational Logic, Computer Graphic Techniques, Computer Graphics, Computer Programming, General Statistics, Graph Theory, Linear Algebra, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Mathematics, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Programming, Theoretical Computer Science
4.5
(561 reviews)
Intermediate · Specialization
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University of Colorado Boulder
Embedded Software and Hardware Architecture
Skills you'll gain: Computer Architecture, Other Programming Languages, Machine Learning, Statistical Machine Learning, Data Structures, Microarchitecture, Data Management, Theoretical Computer Science, Software Engineering, C Programming Language Family, Architecture, Computer Programming, Applied Machine Learning
4.5
(386 reviews)
Intermediate · Course
DeepLearning.AI
Device-based Models with TensorFlow Lite
Skills you'll gain: Microarchitecture, Problem Solving, Python Programming, Android Development, Computer Architecture, Machine Learning, Leadership and Management, Statistical Programming, Entrepreneurship, Theoretical Computer Science, Research and Design, Computer Programming, Applied Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Mobile Development, Tensorflow
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(555 reviews)
Intermediate · Course

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular microcontroller courses

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering: University of Colorado Boulder
Post Graduate Certificate in Robotics and Mechatronics: IIT Guwahati
An Introduction to Programming the Internet of Things (IOT): University of California, Irvine
Digital Signal Processing: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Introduction to Embedded Systems Software and Development Environments: University of Colorado Boulder
Introduction to Embedded Machine Learning: Edge Impulse
Computer Vision with Embedded Machine Learning: Edge Impulse
Embedded Software and Hardware Architecture: University of Colorado Boulder
Device-based Models with TensorFlow Lite: DeepLearning.AI
Programming for the Internet of Things Project: University of California, Irvine

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Frequently Asked Questions about Microcontroller

A microcontroller is a small, low-cost, integrated circuit designed to manage a specific task in an embedded system. Essentially a tiny computer on a chip, a standard microcontroller has a processor, memory, and input/output (I/O) peripherals on a semiconductor integrated circuit chip. Developed and put to use by an engineer at Texas Instruments in the early 1970s, microcontrollers are used in an assortment of computer-linked systems and devices. In some devices, there are usually several microcontrollers that work together to handle the specific tasks within a device.
In cars, for example, several microcontrollers often communicate to manage processes like fuel injection, anti-lock braking systems, suspension, or traction control. In doing so, they provide instructions to these devices to accomplish individual tasks.‎
It's important to learn about microcontrollers for their uses in many of the processes in machines, appliances, and devices. Having knowledge of how they operate can help you move within industries that use minicomputer power for their devices. Because microcontrollers are used for specific tasks, they do not require the extra RAM, ROM, and other peripherals embedded into a single chip that a microprocessor would need to power up a computer.
The most common microcontrollers include the 8051 microcontrollers used for many general purposes, the low-cost PIC microcontrollers, ARM microcontrollers used in RISC computer applications, and AVR microcontrollers, which are used in cars and trucks, office machines, automated vending machines, and home appliances.‎
The use of microcontrollers in many industries means you can find multiple career opportunities in materials handling, production specialist roles, application engineers jobs, and other similar engineering-focused jobs with a chip maker or similar company.
Microcontrollers are used to power the systems in our homes and workplaces and to build automation. They're found in industrial automation, manufacturing processes, robotics engineering, smart energy applications, and Internet of Things innovations.‎
When you take online courses about microcontrollers, you can learn their importance in real-time operating systems. You can also learn about the history and application of microcontrollers throughout the years.
Taking online courses can help you understand how microcontroller technology is used in today's computer architecture and applications. You will likely also gain insights about the miniaturization of computing power and the multiple ways that microcontrollers have transformed our manufacturing processes.‎

This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

Filter by

15 results for "microcontroller"

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Post Graduate Certificate in Robotics and Mechatronics

An Introduction to Programming the Internet of Things (IOT)

Digital Signal Processing

Introduction to Embedded Systems Software and Development Environments

Introduction to Embedded Machine Learning

Computer Vision with Embedded Machine Learning

Embedded Software and Hardware Architecture

Device-based Models with TensorFlow Lite

Programming for the Internet of Things Project

تعلم C عن طريق عمل function تقوم برسم شكل شجرة

تعلم C عن طريق عمل Array-based Stack

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular microcontroller courses

Skills you can learn in Software Development

Frequently Asked Questions about Microcontroller

What is a microcontroller?‎

Why is it important to learn about microcontrollers?‎

What are typical careers that use microcontrollers?‎

How can online courses help me learn about microcontrollers?‎

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Filter by

15 results for "microcontroller"

Searches related to microcontroller

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular microcontroller courses

Skills you can learn in Software Development

Frequently Asked Questions about Microcontroller

What is a microcontroller?‎

Why is it important to learn about microcontrollers?‎

What are typical careers that use microcontrollers?‎

How can online courses help me learn about microcontrollers?‎

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