Introduction to Microprocessors and Microcontrollers [Paperback]

John Crisp (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0750659890 | ISBN-13: 978-0750659895 | Edition: 1

Assuming only a general science education this book introduces the workings of the microprocessor, its applications, and programming in assembler and high level languages such as C and Java. Practical work and knowledge-check questions contribute to building a thorough understanding with a practical focus. The book concludes with a step-by-step walk through a project based on the PIC microcontroller. The concise but clearly written text makes this an ideal book for electronics and IT students and a wide range of technicians and engineers, including IT systems support staff, and maintenance / service engineers.

*Crisp's conversational style introduces the fundamentals of the micro (microprocessors, microcontrollers, systems on a chip) in a way that is utterly painless but technically spot-on: the talent of a true teacher.
*Microprocessors and microcontrollers are covered in one book, reflecting the importance of embedded systems in today's computerised world.
*Practical work and knowledge-check questions support a lively text to build a firm understanding of the subject.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

A truly introductory book on the devices at the heart of PCs and embedded systems.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

A truly introductory book on the devices at the heart of PCs and embedded systems.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Newnes; 1 edition (January 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750659890
• ISBN-13: 978-0750659895
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,070,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not enough of an update, but still excellent, December 25, 2004

By 

Richard Bejtlich "TaoSecurity" (Metro Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introduction to Microprocessors and Microcontrollers (Paperback)

I reviewed the 1998 edition of this book, 'Introduction to Microprocessors,' (ITM) about a year ago. I gave that book five stars for bringing the internal workings of CPUs within the reach of the computer layman. This new 2004 edition, 'Introduction to Microprocessors and Microcontrollers,' (ITMAM) isn't quite the update I expected, but it's still a great book.

The major differences between ITM and ITMAM involve a few sections. First, material on the Alpha 21164 microprocessor is replaced by a discussion of the AMD Athlon XP. Second, two chapters on microcontrollers are added. Author John Crisp defines a microcontroller as essentially a microprocessor with some ROM and RAM on a single chip. Third, Crisp briefly discusses the innards of popular game consoles in ch 11. Finally, a short discussion of writing assembly language adds another layer to the new edition.

My expectations for ITMAM drove my four star rating. The older ITM book was a product of its late 1990s heritage, with the Pentium II processor described as Intel's latest offering. Unfortunately, I see many of the same references in the newer ITMAM book. On p 174, for example, we read about 'rumours of the Pentium II running at 400 MHz.' Although newer products, like the PIV, appear, I got the sense that the update process was not very thorough.

The microcontroller material was a welcome addition to ITMAM, but in the future the author might want to look at products by other manufacturers. There seems to be a vigorous community built around the Atmel AVR microcontroller, supported by plenty of open source programming tools and references. Overall, I still recommend reading the second edition of this book. I hope to see the third edition be a more thorough upgrade, perhaps with coverage of embedded technology and network processors?