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                        VIDEO SESSION                                                               Century   #Digital Literacy
                                                                                                     Skills
                        Scan the QR code or visit the following link to watch the video:
                        What is a Microcontroller and how does it work? Robotics for Beginners Tutorial

                        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t68MG-kVDCU
                        After watching the video, answer the following questions:
                        1.  How do microcontrollers function in everyday devices?

                        2.  Name and explain the three main components of a microcontroller.

                  What is a Single Board Computer (SBC)?

                  A Single Board Computer is a complete computer built on a single circuit board. Unlike a microcontroller, it’s designed to
                  be a general-purpose computer capable of running full operating systems (like Linux) and handling more complex tasks,
                  often with more processing power, memory, and connectivity options. They are like a desktop computer condensed onto
                  a small board.

                  Understanding the Block Diagram and Architecture
                  Both  microcontrollers  and  single  board  computers  share common  fundamental  architectural  blocks,  though  their
                  complexity and capabilities vary significantly. Let’s explore these blocks:

                  Central Processing Unit (CPU) / Processor
                  Description: This is the ‘brain’ of the microcontroller or single board computer. It’s responsible for executing the program
                  instructions, performing arithmetic calculations (like addition, subtraction), logical operations (like AND, OR, NOT), and
                  managing the flow of data.
                  Working Principle: The Central Processing Unit continuously fetches instructions from memory, decodes them, and then
                  executes them step-by-step.
                  Difference: Microcontrollers typically have simpler, lower-power Central Processing Units optimised for control tasks.
                  Single Board Computers  have much more  powerful Central Processing  Units, often with multiple  processing  cores,
                  capable of handling demanding computations like image processing for computer vision or running complex Artificial
                  Intelligence algorithms.
                  Analogy: The Central Processing Unit is like the main decision-making part of your own brain.

                  Memory
                  Description: Memory is where the microcontroller or single board computer stores programs (instructions) and data.
                  There are typically different types of memory for different purposes.
                  Types:
                  Program Memory (Flash Memory / Read-Only Memory - ROM): This is where the actual program (the set of
                  instructions you write for the robot) is permanently stored. It retains data even when the power is off, similar to your
                  computer’s hard drive.
                  Data Memory (Random Access Memory - RAM): This is where the microcontroller stores temporary data that it needs
                  to access and modify quickly while the program is running. This data is lost when the power is turned off. Examples include
                  sensor readings, intermediate calculation results, or variable values.

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                  Touchpad Robotics - XI

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