Is a microcontroller a soc chip?

In the vast world of electronic chips, microcontroller and SoC chips occupy a pivotal position, they are inextricably linked, but also have their own distinctive characteristics, for different areas of electronic equipment to inject powerful power.

Microcontroller, all known as a single microcomputer, it will be the central processor, memory, input and output interfaces and other basic computer components integrated in a tiny chip, like an “all-rounder”, by virtue of a small body and relatively complete functions, in a number of simple control systems to show their skills. Take the common 8050 microcontroller as an example, its built-in CPU can efficiently execute some basic instructions to deal with simple logic operations; the storage unit has a limited capacity, but it is enough to store a small program code and a small amount of data to meet the demand for temporary storage of temperature data such as simple electronic thermometers; and the I/O interface equipped with it is like a bridge to communicate with the inside and outside, conveniently connecting to the external temperature sensor The I/O interface is like a bridge between inside and outside, which is convenient for connecting external temperature sensors, accurately collecting ambient temperature information and outputting the processed results to the display screen to realize real-time temperature display, which is widely used in all kinds of small home appliances, smart toys and other products, realizing basic intelligent control at a relatively low cost.

SoC chip, that is, system-on-chip, which takes a highly integrated, high-performance route. It is not only integrated with the basic components of a single-chip machine, but also graphics processors, communication modules, various types of complex digital signal processors and even artificial intelligence gas pedal and many other advanced functional modules are included, as if a full-featured “science and technology fortress”. Take the SoC chip in the smartphone, its powerful CPU core combination can smoothly run the complex operating system and a large number of applications, whether it is multi-tasking or large game loading and running are not a problem; GPU is responsible for the exquisite game screen, high-definition video perfect rendering presentation, so that users are immersed in the shocking visual enjoyment; integrated 5G communication module, so that the phone in the world of high-speed The integrated 5G communication module allows the phone to swim in the world of high-speed networks, realizing lightning data transmission; coupled with the specialized AI gas pedal, it provides powerful arithmetic support for intelligent voice assistants, image recognition and other artificial intelligence applications, enhancing the user experience in all aspects, and is the core guarantee for the realization of multi-functional integration of smartphones.

Comparing the two, in terms of integration, the SoC chip is clearly superior, which brings together a wealth of functional modules is difficult to reach the MCU, which makes it able to support such as smart phones, smart car center control of this complex and high performance requirements of the system; while the MCU by virtue of the simple architecture, low cost and easy to develop the characteristics of firmly rooted in the cost-sensitive, functional requirements of the relatively single small-scale Electronic devices, to give them the right intelligent control. In terms of development difficulty, the development environment of MCU is relatively simple, the learning threshold is low, and beginners can quickly get started with some basic project development; SoC chips, due to their complex architecture and a wide range of functions, the development of which often requires a professional team to use high-end tools, and put a lot of effort into in-depth study of the synergistic optimization of the different modules, in order to fully tap its performance potential.

With the tide of science and technology rolling forward, microcontroller is also continuing to evolve, and constantly improve performance, expand functionality, to lower power consumption, stronger anti-jamming ability to adapt to, such as the industrial Internet of Things in the sensor nodes more and more demanding; SoC chip is all the way forward, towards a higher process breakthroughs, more powerful AI algorithmic integration, and the development of more outstanding heterogeneous fusion direction, for the future of smart wearable, Virtual reality and other cutting-edge fields paved the way to take off, both of them shine in their own journey, promoting the electronics industry to flourish.