AT89C52 Microcontroller Equivalents, Functions, Structure and Applications

23 November 2023


Ⅰ. What is AT89C52 microcontroller?

Ⅱ. What are the features of AT89C52 microcontroller?

Ⅲ. AT89C52 symbol, footprint and pin configuration

Ⅳ. Functions of AT89C52 microcontroller

Ⅴ. Structure of AT89C52 microcontroller

Ⅵ. What are the advantages and disadvantages of AT89C52 microcontroller?

Ⅶ. What are the applications of AT89C52 microcontroller?



Microcontrollers have evolved into an essential component of contemporary electronic devices, particularly in embedded systems and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Their usage is increasingly widespread, and in this article, we will delve into the features, functions, structure and applications of the AT89C52 microcontroller. This exploration aims to enhance your comprehension of this microcontroller, offering robust insights for the design of embedded systems.



Ⅰ. What is AT89C52 microcontroller?


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AT89C52 is a low-voltage, high-performance CMOS 8-bit microcontroller that contains 8k bytes of rewritable Flash read-only program memory and 256 bytes of random access data memory. The device is produced using ATMEL's high-density, non-volatile memory technology and is compatible with the standard MCS-51 instruction system. It has a built-in general-purpose 8-bit central processor and Flash memory unit, and has thirty-two external bidirectional input/output (I/O) ports, as well as two external interrupt ports and three 16-bit programmable timer counters, and two full-duplex Serial communication port, two read and write port lines.


AT89C52 can be programmed using conventional methods or online programming. It combines a general-purpose microprocessor and Flash memory, especially the repeatedly erasable Flash memory, which can effectively reduce development costs.


Replacements and equivalents:

AT89S52

ATmega32

PIC16F877A



Ⅱ. What are the features of AT89C52 microcontroller?


• The working power supply voltage of AT89C52 is 5V.


• Has a full-duplex programmable serial communication port


• With programmable 3-level program lock bit


• Has a data pointer DPTR


• Has 3 programmable timers


• Has 32 programmable I/O lines


• The maximum operating frequency of AT89C52 is 24MHz.


• Low-power working modes include idle mode and power-down mode


• The on-chip program memory contains 8KB of Flash program memory, and its rewritable life is 1000 times.


• On-chip data memory contains 256 bytes of RAM.


• The interrupt system is an interrupt structure with 6 interrupt vectors, 8 interrupt sources, and 2 levels of priority.



Ⅲ. AT89C52 symbol, footprint and pin configuration


The following are the symbol, footprint and pin configuration of AT89C52 microcontroller.


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Among them, the AT89C52 possesses 40 pins, each with its corresponding names and descriptions.


• P0~P3: P0~P3 are the four 8-bit general-purpose input and output ports of AT89C52. They can be used as inputs to receive external signals or as outputs to control external devices.


• EA/VPP: The EA/VPP pin is the address pin for extended memory. When connected to VCC it indicates the use of external memory. When connected to GND, it indicates the use of internal memory.


• RST: The RST pin is the reset pin, used to trigger the reset operation of the microcontroller.


• ALE/PROG: The ALE/PROG pin is the address latch enable pin, used for address and data transmission with external devices.


• PSEN: The PSEN pin is the program memory enable pin and is used to read instructions in the flash memory.


• XTAL1/XTAL2: The XTAL1 and XTAL2 pins are the input and output ports of the external crystal oscillator, used to provide the clock signal of the microcontroller.



Ⅳ. Functions of AT89C52 microcontroller


1. Storage


AT89C52 has a certain memory capacity, which can be used to store program code, data and other information. This storage function allows it to run various types of applications such as games and utility applications.


2. Timing


It has multiple built-in timers that can be used for timing operations. This timing function is critical in many applications, such as smart homes, automated production lines, etc.


3. Communication


AT89C52 supports serial communication and can be used to exchange data with other devices. This communication method is widely used in various scenarios such as remote monitoring and data collection.


4. Control


AT89C52 can control external devices such as motors, LED lights, buzzers, etc. through GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) ports. This control method is very important for embedded system development because it can control and manage the entire system through the microcontroller.



Ⅴ. Structure of AT89C52 microcontroller


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The internal structure of the AT89C52 microcontroller is basically the same as that of the MCS-51 series microcontroller. Its CPU is composed of arithmetic unit and controller. The arithmetic unit is mainly responsible for performing arithmetic, logical operations and bit operations on the operands. The controller is the command and control component of the microcontroller. It can identify instructions and control the functional components of the microcontroller according to the nature of the instructions, thereby ensuring that all parts of the microcontroller can work automatically and harmoniously. Its program memory is 8K bytes of rewritable Flash memory. Flash memory allows online +5V electrical erasure, electrical writing, or repeated programming using a programmer. Compared with the 51 series of microcontrollers, the AT89C52 microcontroller has a larger data memory size of 256 bytes of RAM. In addition, the instruction system and pin functions of the AT89C52 microcontroller are fully compatible with those of the MCS-51.



Ⅵ. What are the advantages and disadvantages of AT89C52 microcontroller?


1. Advantages of AT89C52


(1) It has multiple interfaces such as SPI, serial port, and parallel port, which can easily communicate and interact with other devices.


(2) It has rich timer and PWM output functions and can be widely used in the fields of control and embedded systems.


(3) It comes at an affordable and budget-friendly price.


(4) It has built-in Flash memory and EEPROM memory, which can store programs and data during programming, thus improving the stability and reliability of the system.


2. Disadvantages of AT89C52


(1) It requires an external crystal oscillator to provide a clock signal, which increases the complexity and cost of the system.


(2) It lacks some advanced features such as discrete digital-to-analog converter (ADC), etc. Therefore, it requires support from external devices.


(3) It is an 8-bit microcontroller with slow processing speed and may not be able to meet the needs in some high-performance applications.


(4) Its memory capacity is small and requires the support of external memory.



Ⅶ. What are the applications of AT89C52 microcontroller?


• Elevator control: In the elevator control system, AT89C52 can be used to control the operation, stop, alarm and other functions of the elevator.


• Sensor network: Due to its powerful data processing and control capabilities, it can monitor, record and control various physical quantities through sensor interfaces.


• Automotive electronics: It can be used in automotive electronic systems such as braking systems, engine control, and airbags. This kind of microcontroller has high reliability and strong anti-interference ability, which can ensure the safe operation of cars in various complex environments.


• Communication equipment: It can be used in various communication equipment such as radios, mobile phones, and satellite communications to realize data transmission and communication.


• Electronic counter: Using the microcontroller technology of AT89C52, we can accurately calculate and control the counters of various electronic devices.


• Embedded systems: AT89C52 is often used to design embedded systems to control various equipment such as medical equipment, industrial equipment, and household appliances. It features small size and low power consumption, making it suitable for applications requiring compact size and low power consumption.




Frequently Asked Questions


1. What is AT89C52 microcontroller?


The AT89C52 is a low-power, high-performance CMOS 8-bit microcomputer with 8K bytes of Flash programmable and erasable read only memory (PEROM). The device is manufactured using Atmel's high-density nonvolatile memory technology and is compatible with the industry-standard 80C51 and 80C52 instruction set and pinout.


2. What is the purpose of the RESET pin in the AT89C52?


The RESET pin is used to reset the microcontroller. When this pin is brought to a low voltage, the microcontroller restarts its execution from the beginning.


3. What is the use of AT89C52?


The AT89C52 is a low-power, high-performance CMOS 8-bit microcomputer with 8K bytes of Flash programmable and erasable read only memory (PEROM). The device is manufactured using Atmel's high-density nonvolatile memory technology and is compatible with the industry-standard 80C51 and 80C52 instruction set and pinout.


4. What is the difference between at89c51 and 89c52?


89c52 is a step ahead on 89c51. The difference between these Microcontroller are RAM Memory and flash memory. All have the same pin configuration and there is very slight difference between them. 89c51 has 128 bytes of ram while 89c52 has 256 bytes.


5. What are the I/O ports in the AT89C52 used for?


The AT89C52 has four I/O ports (P0, P1, P2, and P3) that can be used to interface with external devices. These ports can be configured as input or output and are often used to connect the microcontroller to other components.