Using a clear writing style and a "nuts and bolts" approach, this book describes the entire field of embedded controllers -- hardware, software, and interfacing -- using the Intel 8051 microcontroller as an example. The emphasis throughout is on interfacing the 8051 to real-world devices such as switches, displays, motors, A/D converters, etc. -- through both assembly language and C language programming. Provides abundant programming examples both in assembly language and in C throughout. Covers: Architecture of a Microcomputer; The 8051 Single-Chip Microcontroller; Interfacing: Hardware and Software; State Machines and Interrupt Timing; System Design Techniques; Project Design; Introduction to Assembly Languages; Mcs(r) -- 51 Programmers Guide and Instruction Set; and ASCII and EBCDIC Tables. Provides extensive discussion of device characteristics as well as many typical interfaces, such as RS-232 and IEEE-488. A reference for anyone whose work requires familiarity with microcontrollers.