Microcontroller Architectures

Two types of architectures are standard in microcontrollers, that is, Von Neumann and Harvard architectures.

Von Neumann Architecture

Von Neumann architecture is used by a large percentage of microcontrollers. It places all memory space on the same bus; instruction and data also use the same bus.

Harvard Architecture

Harvard architecture (utilized by PIC microcontrollers) places code and data on separate buses, which permits them to be fetched simultaneously, resulting in an improved performance.

You may also read:

• RISC vs. CISC Processors
• The Pentium Series of Microprocessors
• SIMD, MISD & MIMD Multiple Processor Architectures
• Device Programmers for PIC Microcontrollers
• The MOV Instruction in Intel 8051 (MCS-51) Microcontroller