This book gives a comprehensive coverage of different aspects of microcontroller-based system design and development in a generalized manner. Basic ideas and fundamental concepts common to all micro-controllers have been introduced before giving specific examples using the 8051 microcontroller, which is the most popular microcontroller in use today. Coverage of the three important issues such as hardware, software and hardware-software integration has been provided in a balanced manner. For easy understanding of the subject, a bottom-up approach has been followed. The book is designed for the undergraduate students of electrical engineering, computer science and engineering, and electronics and communication engineering. KEY FEATURES: Provides many pedagogical features such as learning objectives, introduction, examples, summary, fill in the blanks and chapter-end exercises to assist teaching and learning. Pays special attention to the interfacing of I/O devices for human interaction, and I/O devices for process control and instrumentation, which are important in the context of embedded systems. Gives comprehensive information about development aids and trouble-shooting techniques for the development of microcontroller-based systems. Includes a number of real-life application examples, with complete details of hardware and software implementation, after fabricating prototype models in the laboratory.