Digital System Design: State Machine Versus Microprocessor Controller

This paper considers the use of a microprocessor as a controller for digital systems. It is suggested that the microprocessor controller can be considered as a state machine with each state being defined in terms of possible machine instructions. The strengths and weaknesses of this device are discussed. A design procedure is proposed that allows comparison of a conventional state machine design to microprocessor design of a digital system that contains a sequential controller.