Everything you need to know about the MCU Interface

An MCU, or Microcontroller Unit, is the primary element that makes up the circuit of an embedded system. The development of MOSFET technology can be credited with kickstarting the MCU interface era.

The microprocessor on an LCD is, in a nutshell, what makes the LCD work. The microcontroller (uC) is referred to as a controller driver by LCD manufacturers. The microcontroller driver’s main function is to translate the customer’s firmware into characters, numbers, and images that are displayed on the LCD. A microcontroller is a small computer on a single integrated circuit (SoC) that has programmable input/output peripherals, memory, and a CPU core. Along with a relatively tiny quantity of RAM, program memory is frequently placed on chips in the form of ferroelectric RAM, NOR flash, or OTP ROM.

Although an MCU has a CPU unit, it does more than only add and subtract binary data. An MCU’s ability to communicate with the physical environment through built-in communication interfaces and peripherals is what gives it its genuine worth. Technically speaking, an MCU works by carrying out the software commands saved in its non-volatile memory module. It used to be difficult, if not impossible, to erase the program data from MCUs because they were ROM-based. MCUs begin storing program instructions in integrated flash memory as flash technology revolutionizes semiconductor technologies. For basic instruction processing, the majority of contemporary MCUs use the RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) instruction architecture. Compared to the CISC, the RISC offers a faster instruction execution cycle. Embedded system developers utilize assembly or the C programming language to create a program for an MCU. The MCU is then loaded with the completed program using a programming tool.

It’s crucial to choose an MCU for your project with great care. When selecting an MCU, many considerations need to be taken into account. You should take the application’s complexity into account. Larger program memory is frequently necessary for complicated devices. Make a list of the peripherals and communication requirements for the device in addition to that. In some applications, it may also be necessary to use internal features such as the power management module and bootloader. The choice of an MCU might occasionally be influenced by the development tools. You should choose one with user-friendly programming tools and IDEs (Integrated Development Environments).

MCUs can, unfortunately, be a source of grief for customers. Manufacturers of controller drivers have the propensity to stop making the chips periodically. The customer now needs a replacement as a result. The manufacturer will suggest analogous microprocessors when a controller driver is retired (also known as end-of-life). FocusLCDs has you covered in this case and can order new LCD samples with a different comparable CPU or offer to order the outdated controller driver one last time in mass (if notified in advance that end of life is coming).

The MCU interface is a key component of your LCD project, and we take this seriously. The primary responsibility of the microcontroller driver is to convert the customer’s firmware into characters, numbers, and graphics for the LCD. FocusLCDs can guide you when it comes to selecting an MCU or other project components and is willing to partner with you for a successful implementation.