processor input and output

This post is about processor input and output. Processor input and output units are responsible for moving in and out information to and from processor.

Any system (embedded/non-embedded, electrical, electromechanical, and other) can be connected to embedded processor as an I/O device. I/O devices can also be divided into smaller groups or input/output devices. Input devices/systems are providing data to the embedded system, output devices/systems are transmitting data from the embedded system. I/O devices/systems can be connected to the embedded system wireless/wired way or placed directly on the board.

Depending on the type of I/O device/system, processor I/O components are divided into groups:

• Networking;

• Input;

• Output;

• Storage;

• Debugging;

• Real-time/ miscellaneous.

I/O hardware is usually consist of the following logical units:

• Transmission medium;

• Communication port;

• Communication medium;

• I/O controller;

• I/O buses;

• Master processor integrated I/O.

Processor I/Os are specifically grouped depending on the types of his I/O ports categories, that is also depending on the processor architecture, including hardware and software. Software also allows to group processor I/Os depending on it’s type. Hardware allows to group the I/O ports in serial, parallel or mixed types.

Big variety of embedded microprocessors can be found at Digi-Key Electronics catalogue.