What is a 16-bit Microcontroller

1. What is a 16-bit Microcontroller

16-bit microcontrollers were developed after 1983. The features of these microcontrollers are: the CPU is 16-bit, the operation speed is generally higher than that of 8-bit machines, the addressing capability of some microcontrollers is as high as 1MB, and the chip contains A/D and D/A conversion circuits and supports high-level languages.

These microcontrollers are mainly used in process control, smart meters, home appliances and as controllers for computer external devices. Typical products include Intel's MCS-96/98 series, Motorola's M68HC16 series, NS's 783×× series, TI's MSP430 series and so on.

2. What is Bit in MCU?

Microcontrollers have gone through 4 bits, 8 bits, 16 bits, 32 bits and 64 bits. The word length ("bit") is the number of bits of binary numbers processed by the CPU each time, whether it is 0100, 10110010, etc. The more bits, the more valid data and the higher the accuracy. The more bits, the more valid data, the higher the accuracy, the smaller the arithmetic error, and the more "bits", the faster the processing speed in the case of the same arithmetic speed. It's like our city bus, which runs 8 trips, it will definitely transport more passengers than 4 trips. "Bits" (word length) is an important indicator of the performance of the microcontroller.

(1) 4-bit microcomputer: with a 4-bit word length microprocessor for the CPU, its data bus width is 4 bits, and a byte of data is divided into two to transmit or process.

The instruction system of 4-bit machine is simple, single computing function, mainly used for pager, calculator, car instrument, anti-theft device, wireless phone, CD player, children's toys, charger, tire pressure needle, remote control, etc.

(2) 8-bit microcomputer: 8-bit word length microprocessor for the CPU, its data bus width of 8 bits. 8-bit machine word length and byte is the same concept. 8-bit microprocessor was launched when the microcomputer in hardware and software technology has been more mature, so the 8-bit machine instruction system is more complete, strong addressing capability, peripheral supporting circuit complete.

As a result, the 8-bit machine has strong versatility and wide application, and is widely used in transaction management, automatic detection and control of industrial production processes, communications, intelligent terminals, education, and electric toys, fax machines, etc.

(3) 16-bit microcomputer: using a high-performance 16-bit microprocessor as the CPU, the data bus width of 16 bits. As the 16-bit microprocessor not only in the integration and processing speed, data bus width, internal structure and other aspects than the 8-bit machine is fundamentally different, the microcomputer composed of them in function and performance has basically reached the level of the mid-range small machine, especially the Intel 8086 as the CPU of the 16-bit microcomputer IBM PC / XT is not only the mainstream of the model for quite some time In addition to its original application areas, the 16-bit machine also played an important role in computer networks.

Its main application areas are cell phones, digital cameras and camcorders, etc.

(4) 32-bit microcomputer: 32-bit microcomputer uses 32-bit microprocessor as CPU, which is the mainstream model at present. From the application point of view, the word length of 32 bits is more ideal, it can meet the needs of most of the purposes, including text, graphics, table processing and precision scientific computing and other needs. Especially after Intel launched the Pentium microprocessor in 1993, the 32-bit microprocessor technology entered a brand new stage. It not only inherited all the advantages of its predecessors but also made new breakthroughs in many aspects, and also met the increasingly urgent needs of people for applications such as graphic images, real-time video processing, language recognition, and high-traffic client/server applications.

Its main application areas are smart home, Internet of Things, motor frequency control, fingerprint identification, GPS, ISDN telephone, color fax machines and so on.

(5) 64-bit microcomputers: 64-bit microcomputers use 64-bit microprocessors as CPUs, which are the latest products developed by the leading computer companies.

Its main application areas are high-level workstations, multimedia interactive systems, advanced TV amusement devices, advanced terminals, etc.

3. What is the Difference Between 8-bit and 16-bit Microcontroller?

3.I. What is an 8-bit microcontroller?

An 8-bit microcontroller is a type of microcontroller that has all the characteristics of a microcontroller, and most of its information tools are 8-bit large. 8-bit large means that your CPU can use an 8-bit information bus or pipeline, and similar sized information can be input via machine instructions. For each instruction cycle, it fluctuates from zero to 255. 20ma of current is required to operate. Intel 8008 is the first 8-bit microcontroller.

3.2 What is a 16-bit microcontroller?

16-bit microcontroller is better than 8-bit microcontroller. It is an additional right that is accurate in performing mathematical and technical duties. Unlike 8-bit microcontrollers, it uses only 16-bit information bus or pipeline as an instruction. For each instruction cycle, its position fluctuates from zero to 65535. because the 16-bit controller is twice as good as the 8-bit controller, it may be suitable for two 16-bit. It requires 10mA current to maintain.

3.3 The difference between 8-bit microcontroller and 16-bit microcontroller

• First of all, the cost. Although it reduces the comparability between the two due to the improved design value, 8-bit microcontrollers are cheaper than 16-bit microcontrollers.
• When performing mathematical functions, the 16-bit microcontroller is additionally right and reliable compared to the 8-bit microcontroller.
• Having a 16-bit microcontroller means that the 16-bus or pipeline for information processing is twice as efficient as an 8-bit microcontroller.
• Since the bus is larger, 16 bits can perform additional operations successfully and quickly considering a 16-bit microcontroller.
• For each instruction cycle, the 8-bit fluctuates between 0 and 255, while the 16-bit fluctuates from zero to 65535 per cycle.
• The 8-bit microcontroller requires 20mA to operate, which is two times better than the 10mA required for the 16-bit microcontroller.
• Although the 16-bit microcontroller shows a higher double cycle or clock time than the 8-bit, having a fast clock means that more energy and vigor seems to be required.
• The 8-bit microcontroller shows 12 MIPS at 48 MHz, while the 16-bit shows most 16 MIPS at 32 MHz, twice the speed of the 8-bit microcontroller.
• The 16-bit input and output peripherals offer additional advantages over 8-bit microcontrollers.

4. 8-, 16- and 32-bit MCUs, Are More Bits Better?

No.

This is a complex decision process. Successful designs determine the microcontroller architecture that provides the required performance in the most cost-effective manner.

8-bit versus 32-bit microcontrollers: 8-bit devices almost always consume less power than 32-bit designs, and 8-bit units can cost less, but this is not always true. The choice is complex and depends on many application-specific requirements. In some cases, a 16-bit microcontroller may be the best choice.

Determining the best microcontroller is not always a simple question to answer. Sometimes it is not just about today's performance requirements; over time, it may be necessary to deliver a solution with growth potential to handle more challenging application requirements. For example, security requirements can evolve. The ability to adapt to future demands for new or increased security features may be an important application consideration.

If a specific application requires a large amount of memory, using a 32-bit MCU will typically provide more memory random access memory than an 8-bit or even 16-bit device. Latency is another factor to consider when comparing various MCU choices. It is possible to perform certain functions "equally well" with an 8-bit, 16-bit, or 32-bit MCU. However, if an application requires lower latency, it may require the speed and faster clock rate of a 16-bit or 32-bit processor.

The 8-bit mcu can be used to support some cryptographic functions to improve security. But these features are typically implemented in hardware, which adds cost or software adds burden to the relatively low-power processor. If advanced security features are important, then it may be wise to use a 16- or 32-bit microcontroller.

There is a middle ground between 4 cylinders (8-bit) and 8 cylinders (32-bit); typically, a 6-column (16-bit) design provides the right combination of efficiency and performance. 8-bit mcu performance is inherently limited and can only be improved to a certain extent by adding peripherals. Systems using 32-bit mcu can offer higher performance, but may over-consume and consume more power compared to other solutions.

This is where 16-bit mcu's come in, they can combine the simplicity of an 8-bit unit while providing enhanced performance without excessive power consumption. Especially in applications that do not require massive multi-threading and modest memory requirements, 16-bit mcu's can provide the best intermediate solution.