# What is a microprocessor?
**What is a microprocessor?**
A microprocessor is *a state machine that executes sequential instructions.*
> **What two kinds of logic devices make up a microprocessor?**
> The two kinds of devices which make up a microprocessor are:
> 1. Combinational logic devices.
> 2. Sequential logic devices.
**How are microprocessors controlled?**
Microprocessors are controlled *using coded instructions like software or firmware.*
**What do microprocessors manipulate and for what?**
Microprocessors manipulate *digital data stored in memory to perform useful tasks.*
**What electrical components are used to create logic devices?**
Electrical components used to create logic devices include:
* Transistors.
* Diodes.
# Important skills to learn understand
**What skills do you need to learn or understand?**
The skills you need to learn or understand include:
* Number systems - Decimal, binary, hexadecimal, and octal.
* Fundamental architectures of microprocessors and computers.
* Coding in assembly and C.
* Peripheral Hardware Devices.
* Embedded computing.
* Transistors and diodes.
# Office hours
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# Course goals
**What are the goals of ECE 330?**
The goals of ECE 330 are to:
* Gain knowledge of the architecture of one of the more prevalent microprocessor cores, the ARM series.
* Learn how to program embedded ARM M4 microcontrollers using both assembly and C.
* Learn about embedded systems and how they are used.
* Learn about peripherals and interfaces.
* Learn about microprocessor architectures in general.
# Course learning outcomes
**What are the learning outcomes for ECE 330?**
The learning outcomes for ECE 330 are to:
* Use the STM32F4 toolchain and STM32 Cube IDE to write, edit, compile, and debug code written in assembly and C.
* Program target hardware to execute and test programs.
* Perform conversions between decimal, binary, and hexadecimal number systems.
* Understand the architecture of the ARM processor family.
* Understand the hardware blocks inside the STM32F4 including GPIO ports, ADC function, interrupts, DAC function, timers and PWM generation, and communication protocol blocks for UART, USART, I2C, SPI, and USB.
# Reference books
**What are the two reference books for ECE 330?**
The two reference books for ECE 330 are:
1. Embedded Systems with ARM Cortex-M Microcontrollers in Assembly Language and C (Third Edition) by Dr. Yifeng Zhu.
2. Applications Programming in ANSI C (Third Edition) by Richard Johnsonbaugh and Martin Kalin.
# Lecture grading
**What are the percentages that make up the grade for the course?**
The percentages that make up the grade for the course are:
| Coursework | Percentage |
| ------------------------ | ---------- |
| Exam 1 | 17.5% |
| Exam 2 | 17.5% |
| Homework and assignments | 35% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
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# Attendance and grading
**What three things will happen during in-person lectures?**
Three things that will happen during in-person lectures include:
1. Demonstrations using hardware.
2. Showing example problems and code.
3. Taking regular quizzes.
# Course expectations
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# Electrical conventions
**How is the flow of electrical current defined?**
The flow of electrical current is defined as *flowing from positive to negative.*
> **How do electrons actually flow?**
> Electrons actually flow *from negative to positive.*
# Diodes: One-way gates (electrical turnstile)
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# Diodes: Silicon type vs LEDs
**What is the barrier voltage of a silicon diode?**
The barrier voltage of a silicon diode is *0.7 volts.*
> **What material are silicon diodes made from?**
> Silicon diodes are made from *silicon.*
**What is the barrier voltage of blue, green, and white LEDs?**
The barrier voltage of blue, green, and white LEDs is *3 volts.*
> **What material are blue, green, and white LEDs made from?**
> Blue, green, and white LEDs are made from *Indium Gallium Nitride (InGaN).*
**What is the barrier voltage of red and yellow LEDs?**
The barrier voltage of red and yellow LEDs is *1.8 volts.*
> **What material are red and yellow LEDs made from?**
> Red and yellow LEDs are made from *Aluminum Indium Gallium Phosphide (AlInGaP).*
> [!note] From ChatGPT
> The barrier voltage of a diode, also called the forward voltage, is the minimum voltage required for the diode to conduct current in the forward-biased direction. This voltage varies based on the diode's material and its construction.
**What is the range for the energy of light?**
The range for the energy of light is *between 1.8 and 3.2 electron volts (eVs).*
**When do free electrons recombine with holes?**
Free electrons recombine with holes *when voltage equal to the barrier voltage is applied.*
> [!note] From ChatGPT
> In semiconductors, holes (positive charge carriers in the valence band) and electrons (negative charge carriers in the conduction band) are the primary carriers of electric current.
>
> When a free electron (in the conduction band) recombines with a hole (in the valence band), energy is released. When an electron-hole pair recombines, it releases energy equal to the bandgap energy, emitting a photon with energy between 1.8–3.2 eV for visible light.
>
> If this energy is released in the form of a photon, the semiconductor emits light. This process is the basis of LEDs.
# Transistor switches for logic
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