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How to Select a Microcontroller for Project

Microcontrollers are the preferred in most of the embedded projects to implement a task performed in a response time. A microcontroller is a type of chip in which ROM, RAM, timers, I/O ports are integrated on chip with CPU of a microcontroller. These peripherals are controlled and commanded through program written by user in assembly level language or high level language. The user can not modify or change the inbuilt integration of these peripherals. The microcontrollers are available of different bits like 8-bit (widely used in projects), 16, 32 and 64 (coming).

A user want to use a microcontroller in his or her project, has to carefully decide which bit microcontroller is suitable for the project needs. Many points has to be considered before choosing a microcontroller for an embedded project. Every microcontroller has unique instruction set and register set, therefore they are not compatible with each other. Programs written for one will not run on the others. There are four major vendors of 8-bit microcontroller:- Freescale 6811, Intel 8051, Zilog Z8, and PIC 16X. With all these microcontrollers, what criteria do designers consider in choosing a correct one?

Three criteria in choosing microcontroller are as follow:

  1. Meeting the computing needs of the task at hand efficiently and cost effectively:- In analyzing the need of a microcontroller for a project, we must first see whether we require 8-bit, 16-bit or higher bit microcontroller that can best handle the computing needs of the task most effectively. The factors affect in choosing a microcontroller are:- (a) Speed- depend on RAM of the microcontroller. (b) Power Consumption- this is special criteria for battery-powered products. (c) The number of I/O pins and timer on the chip. (d) Packaging detail of microcontroller. (e) Cost per unit and how it will affect you financially.

  2. Availability of software development tools such as compilers, assemblers and debuggers:- It should be chosen in such a way that it does not come incompatible with software and tools available to designer and make difficult to develop products around it. As software and related tools can cost more a designers than an embedded project. Check the compatibility of assembler, debugger, emulator, C language compiler and technical support from your mentor or expertise.

  3. Wide availability and reliable source of the microcontroller:- The third criteria in choosing a microcontroller is its ready availability in needed quantities both now and in future. It is important for the designer to see the availability of that microcontroller on which project has been developed, should be available easily in the market even when project goes down due to microcontroller. It will keep the project to work for longer period of time and reduces the maintenance and production cost of a project.
These are the important criteria which many designers follow while developing a project around a microcontroller and best selection of microcontroller and its related tools. There are consideration like packaging, speed, compatibility with your project and most importantly, availability and cost which a designer must consider before choosing and implementing his or her project. There are website of leading vendors in microcontroller where you can check the specification of a microcontroller before purchasing and using it.

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