C or uc is a solitary chip microcomputer fabricated from vlsi fabrication. Differentiate between manual and automatic control. A timer that counts from zero upwards for measuring time elapsed is often called a stopwatch. Risc reduced instruction set controller architecture is a part of midrange. They share many common features and at the same time. This hardware allows equipment to be switched while preserving the electrical isolation between the plcs internal microprocessor and the outside world. The io capacity and flexibility of a plc is far more comprehensive than that of a microcontroller.
Mention the different types of controllers and give examples. This software is able to export the ladder diagram. The key difference between both the terms is the presence of peripheral. The main difference from most other computing devices is that plcs are. A timer is a specialized type of clock which is used to measure time intervals. In general, the basic difference between the plc versus microcontroller, is summarized below. The reduction of pcb size saves time, space, and money. The difference between plc and pac is really up to the interpretation of each user. My question is how et200s, s7300, s71500and s7400 stands compare to some microcontroller. They share many common features and at the same time they have significant differences. A micro controller can be comparable to a little stand alone computer. A micro controller is also known as embedded controller.
A plc is a system sometimes refered to as a embedded system or it can be a piece of software running on a pc that uses a microprocessor or microcontroller as one of the components a microcontroller is a general term and can mean different things to different people and manufacturers use it as they feel fit. Difference between avr, arm, 8051 and pic microcontrollers. Microprocessors, digital signal processors and microcontrollers. As all the peripheral of microcontroller are on single chip it is compact while microprocessor is bulky. Key difference in both of them is presence of external peripheral, where microcontrollers have ram, rom, eeprom embedded in it while we have to use external circuits in case of microprocessors. Microcontrollers are cores which can do anything you program. Plcmicrocontrollersmicroprocessors interview questions. A plc engineer design, program, repair, and maintain programmable logic controller systems used within manufacturing and service industries.
Friday, august 22, 2014 internal architecture of 8086 1 microprocessor vs microcontroller block diagram of 8086 internal architecture of 8086 memory organization 2. A microcontroller is a microprocessor that can be used for any type of application. A microcontroller can be comparable to a little stand alone computer. Modern plcs have more than one cpu that allows it to run dedicated safetycritical or scan critical tasks. Jul 17, 2017 what makes the plc different from a basic micro controller are the libraries and user interface that turn the plc into an easy to program nearrealtime state machine that is in the typical human. A microcontroller is really just a tiny low power cpu or computer with some output registers wired to pins instead of other registers or devices. Some microcontroller outputs are relatively easy to convert, such as a 420 ma current loop to a 05 v voltage loop.
Most common way of plc programming is with graphical language ladder logic programming which looks a little more similar to electrical schematics than a computer programming. Adding such highspeed counter modules and pwm generator. Good things about plc s its microprocessor based high end thoroughly developed product for industry which can be programmed through high end programming software uses its different simple to understand ladder programming language. Feb 27, 2017 a plc is basically a gigantic microcontroller. Jul, 2017 the raspberry pi is effectively a miniaturized linuxbased singleboard pc, whereas an arduino is more like a plc. Yet, it relies on input and output modules to connect it to the rest of the machine.
Microcontroller is a microprocessor which can be used for any type of application. Pic is a peripheral interface microcontroller which was developed in the year 1993 by the general instruments microcontrollers. A programmable logic controller plc or programmable controller is an industrial digital. Explanation from the above two, i would like to conclude that the plc is a microcontroller based product ie cpu which can be programmed easily through the programming software, in case of microcontroller the programming is somewhat tedious because of it machine. There is a very basic difference between plcs and microcontrollers. In contrast to the microcontroller, the plc was a low end of the market device. Inputsoutputs a plc includes a cpu that stores and processes program data. Generator voltage frequency is 50hz in stabile grid power network. Oct 18, 2011 difference between plc and microprocessor the difference between plc and microprocessor is actually becoming something special for plc since the microprocessor itself creates plc. The basic difference between plc and microcontrollers is only the way of programming. In any case, what you are referring to as a controller is a piece of hardware. What is the difference between a controller and microcontroller.
I know the difference between plc and microcontroller. If you are looking for admission in electrical or electronics engineering, or if you are looking for the job, understand the difference between the two engineering fields. Designing an efficient programmable logic controller using. It is a device that counts down from a specified time interval and used to generate a time delay, for example, an hourglass is a timer. Find out what holds your interest more and choose wisely. A programmable logic controller plc is a microcontrollerbased, generalpurpose. What is the difference between a microcontroller and a. It is controlled by software and programmed in such a way that it performs different tasks and controls a generation. A programmable logic controller plc is a microcontrollerbased, general purpose. Both of them have been designed for real time application. Aug 29, 2004 a plc is a complete system, probably using many chips, so its larger, more expensive, and not as versatile as you are limited to what the designer included. Plcs are a bunch of relays that can be connected in various ways useful to you. Apr 18, 2010 a microcontroller is a microprocessor that can be used for any type of application.
What sets a plc apart from a microcontroller, largerscale industrial plc or any other industrial control solution. Plc vs microcontroller difference between plc and microcontroller a plc is basically a gigantic microcontroller. It does the same things a microcontroller can do, but with higher speed, performance, and reliability. Circuits and systems microprocessors, digital signal processors and microcontrollers m.
May 29, 2015 difference between microprocessor and microcontroller may 29, 2015 by administrator 7 comments the introduction of a piece of technology called microprocessor has changed the way in which we view, analyze and control the world surrounding us over the past two decades. The example also illustrates why microcontrollers are useful. A microcontroller mcu for microcontroller unit is a small computer on a single metaloxidesemiconductor mos integrated circuit ic chip. A programmable logic controller plc is simply a special purpose computing device designed for use in industrial control systems and other systems where the reliability of the system is high they were initially developed to replace hardwired relays, sequences and timers used in the manufacturing process by the automation industry, but today they have scaled.
This might sound similar to a plc, but there are distinct differences between them. Today various types of microcontrollers are available in market with different word lengths such as 4bit, 8bit, 64bit and 128bit microcontrollers. From an electronic designers point of view it consists of a microcontroller mcu, memory chips, power management circuits, communication modules and inputoutput functionality. Before learning the differences, lets first learn about what is microprocessor and microcontroller. Difference between microprocessor and microcontroller in this tutorial i am sharing the difference between microprocessor and microcontroller. Differences between a microprocessor and a microcontroller. But the difference between them exists with respect to the number of instructions, access times, size, reliability, pcb size and so on. Dec 24, 2010 the microcontroller once programmed, can work on its own since it has a stored set of instructions that it executes as and when required. The downloadable link for the difference between microprocessor and microcontroller. Pdf using the microcontroller and the plc in a rpp robot. You have lot of potential in this field, so all candidates prepare for the interview by looking into the below listed plc microprocessors job interview questions and answers. For an example atmega16 can work on a maximum frequency of 16mhz. The architecture of plcs described above is somewhat similar to the.
Feb 19, 2008 microcontroller is a microprocessor with internal input and output memory. Difference between microprocessor and microcontroller. Typically, the program for the automated process is written on a computer and then is downloaded onto the programmable logic controller directly through a cable connection. A plc is a system sometimes refered to as a embedded system or it can be a piece of software running on a pc that uses a microprocessor or microcontroller as one of the components a microcontroller is. Jun 19, 2017 plc vs microcontroller difference between plc and microcontroller duration. Introduction to pic microcontrollers and its architecture. There have been quite a few projects about using a pic to simulate or replace a plc. Before learning the differences, lets first learn about. Difference between microcontroller and plc plc part1 youtube. Apr 19, 2020 a plc contains a programmable microprocessor that is programmed using a specialized computer language. The current loop input is read, the difference between the setpoint and the. Wikipedia a computer is a machine that manipulates data according to a list of instructions.
A first step is finding the io, no problem with a plc, but maybe an issue for the microcontroller. Pdf programmable logic controllers plc are computerlike devices used to control and monitor. Plc works with relays while microcontroller works with transistors even it may work with electronic relays usually the microcontroller doesnt work as a stand alone controller but it. The term microprocessor and microcontroller have always been confused with each other. Main difference between microcontrollers and plc researchgate. In its function, microprocessor becomes a part of electronic tool which need memory, extra circuit, and firmware for applying it. While either platform looked suitable, i settled on the arduino for our project. The difference between controllers and processors is also obvious from their pinouts. A sensor measures flow and sends data to the arduino, which adjusts a control valve actuator to. Using the microcontroller and the plc in a rpp robot control article pdf available in advanced materials research volumes 463 464advanced materials research ii.
An external bus is required to interface to peripherals. Define a control system and draw its block diagram. Difference between plc and microprocessor for connecting each. Unlike microcontrollers, microprocessors have no builtin memory, rom, serial ports, timers, and other peripherals that. Plc can be used to control small scale manufacturing processes, to count various products in a industrial process, to build large public clocks, commercial displays, etc. Difference between microprocessor and microcontroller youtube.
Sironi encyclopedia of life support systems eolss intels 4004, texas instruments ti tms, and garrett airesearchs central air data computer cadc, all of them allowing 4 bits data management. Using a microcontroller instead of plc will give the same result but it has a little costijser. Whats a little confusing, in the case of a peripheral card there is almost certainly a microcontroller on the hardware controller or peripheral, but that microcontroller is just part of the peripheral, and you cannot. Microprocessor contains large instruction set called as cisc processor.
What is the difference between plc and microcontroller. What is the major difference between plc and micro. The purpose of this programmable logic controller plc is to command 16. Difference between microprocessor and microcontroller the. A microcontroller, on the other hand, has all the peripherals such as. Unlike microcontrollers, microprocessors have no builtin memory, rom, serial ports, timers, and other peripherals that constitute a system. To see the full series, which includes such titles as robotics with the boebot. Whats a little confusing, in the case of a peripheral card there is almost certainly a microcontroller on the hardware controller or peripheral, but that microcontroller is just part of the peripheral, and you cannot equate hardware controller microcontroller. The differences between the microcontrollers are mainly include what is a microcontroller, difference between avr, arm, 8051 and pic microcontrollers and its applications. Apr 15, 2020 this is all about the difference between electrical and electronics engineering. The progamming language for plc is very easy and user friendly,the expansion ports used in the plc are also more while comparing with micro controller,and mainly in microcontroller if any pin is damages. For example, the cell phone shown on inside a digital cell phone contains a z80 processor.
The user interface is where the key difference lies. Plc is a special microcontroller designed for industrial applications. Mar 17, 2010 the plc is built into a rugged industrially hardened case and has electronic hardware built in that simplifies the connection to industrial wiring. A plc is very similar to a computer, although the main differences lie. Difference between plc and microprocessor for connecting. Differences between a microprocessor and a microcontroller himadri barman a microprocessor abbreviated as p or up is a computer electronic component made from miniaturized transistors and other circuit elements on a single semiconductor integrated circuit ic microchip or just chip.
Both the microcontroller and plc are quite similar in operation. With a programmable soc architecture such as the cypress psoc, any internal analog. A microcontroller can be easily said to be a small microprocessor that has a cpu, ram, rom and the input and output ports all embedded on the single microchip. A microcontroller is a compact integrated circuit designed to manage. Development of a modular plc using a low cost microcontroller architecture.