Advantages and Disadvantages of Microcontroller (MCU)

Since their introduction, MCUs have been used in almost every application that requires certain amount of intelligence. The invention of microcontrollers has its pros and cons. The main advantages of microcontrollers are given as follows:

·         Microcontrollers act as a microcomputer without any digital parts.

·         As the higher integration inside microcontroller reduce cost and size of the system.

·         Usage of microcontroller is simple, easy for troubleshoot and system maintaining.

·         Most of the pins are programmable by the user for performing different functions.

·         Easily interface additional RAM, ROM, I/O ports.

·         Low time required for performing operations.

The disadvantages for a microcontroller are:

·         In contrast to microprocessors, microcontrollers have more complex architecture.

·         Only limited number of executions can be performed simultaneously.

·         Commonly used in micro-equipments.

·         High power devices cannot be interface directly.