Why do we need oscillators and clocks in a microcontroller?

Question

I am starting to learn embedded programming at work , and I am having trouble understanding a clock and oscillator.

Can you help ? What does an oscillator and a clock do ?

Answer 1

it is basically the same thing, an oscillator generates the clock signal which is used to the synchronize/organize input, arithmetic and output events in the controller...

for example, if you are adding 2 'highs' you want this to happen at the same time and not when the other signal has reverted back to a low... furthermore, you want the input and the output to happen at the same time and not get confusing signals as either an input or output.



hope that helps

Answer 2

The clock circuit has an oscillator in it.

The clock circuit is used to trigger the 'latches' in the logic circuits. each state of the machine is determined by where it was last and the values of inputs. Decisions about what state to go to next are made at discrete moments. The clock circuit 'ticks' define those discrete moments when Next State is decided.

Answer 3

From a programmer's point of view, the state of being won't happen without the clock; the oscillator will modify the state.

Answer 4

it basically sets the speed of the microcontroller and it specifies how many instructions a second it can do