BusinessAugust 2, 2026

microcontroller

MY-kro-kun-TROL-er

Definition

A compact integrated circuit designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system, acting as a small-scale computer on a single chip.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'mikros' (small) and the Latin 'controllare' (to check or verify against a register). The term emerged in the 1970s to describe a single-chip computer capable of control functions.

In the news

The article mentions that NXP Semiconductors has a large presence in automotive microcontrollers, highlighting the role these components play in managing power and automotive functions within vehicles.

Ambarella (AMBA) Is Reportedly In Acquisition Talks With NXP Semiconductors

Read the full article ↗

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