This document provides an overview of embedded systems and microcontrollers. It discusses common application areas including automotive electronics, medical systems, and consumer electronics. Microcontrollers integrate CPU, RAM, ROM, I/O and other peripherals on a single chip to perform dedicated functions. The document compares microprocessors and microcontrollers, and describes AVR microcontroller architecture, features of ATmega16 microcontroller including I/O pins, timers and ADC, and examples of interfacing LEDs, LCDs, 7-segment displays. It also discusses interrupts, development boards and provides details of components used in a home security project.