In personal computers, the controllers are often single chips. When you purchase a computer, it comes with all the necessary controllers for standard components, such as the display screen, keyboard, and disk drives. If you attach additional devices, however, you may need to insert new controllers that come on expansion boards.

Controllers must be designed to communicate with the computer's expansion bus. There are three standard bus architectures for PCs -- the AT bus, PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect), and SCSI. When you purchase a controller, therefore, you must ensure that it conforms to the bus architecture that your computer uses.

Save up to 50% on Industrial Automation Controls - Fast Shipping on thousands of process control products - PLCs, relays, AC Drives/Motors, sensors, pushbuttons, switches, Operator HMI panels and more.

Industrial Controls - Allows user to connect digital and analog process signals to their Ethernet network for interacting with a Web browser or software application.

Techna-Tool: Industrial Controls - Supplies reliable tool monitoring systems to high production metal cutting manufacturers, including monitoring of industrial controls.

Keyboard Controller functions
Describes the functions of the keyboard controller and what functions it provides. This page is from "The PC Guide".

System Chipset and Controllers
Describes chipset functions and features, popular chipsets, controller and integrated motherboard functions. This page is from "The PC Guide".

Microcontroller primer/FAQ
Contains general questions and answers about microcontrollers and embedded processors.