From the course: Learning CircuitPython with Circuit Playground Express

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Microcontroller principles

Microcontroller principles - Python Tutorial

From the course: Learning CircuitPython with Circuit Playground Express

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Microcontroller principles

- [Instructor] In this video, we're going to take a look at the basics of microcontrollers. At the heart of a microcontroller is the microprocessor. The microprocessor is the brain that controls everything according to a program. The microprocessor's connected to some memory. It uses memory to hold the program and also is a scratch pad while the program runs. Some of the memory, called flash memory, is non-volatile, which means it's retained even when the power is off. Other memory, called RAM or random access memory, is volatile and is erased when the microcontroller loses power or is reset. If that was all there was to it a microcontroller would live a very solitary life, but fortunately, using its pins, a microcontroller's able to connect to sensors and other devices in the real world. A microcontroller pin might be connected for output to control a light, a speaker, or a motor. On the other hand, sensors and other devices…

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