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SELECTING THE RIGHT MICROCONTROLLER UNIT

by Chad Gallun

Start ý Selection Process ý General Attributes ý MCU Resources ý Selection Criteria ý Memory ý System Cost Reduction ý Additional Hardware Requirements ý MCU Interrupts ý System Software ý Company Attributes ý Supplier Attributes ý Manufacturer Support ý Finalizing the Selection ý On Your Way ý Sources and PDF

SELECTION PROCESS

To start the selection process, you must first ask yourself, "What does the MCU need to do in my system?" The answer to this simple question dictates the required features.

The second step is to conduct a search for MCUs that meets all of the system requirements. This usually involves searching through literature, primarily data books, datasheets, and web sites, but also includes peer consultations.

The last step has four parts, all of which attempt to reduce the list of acceptable MCUs to a single choice. These parts include pricing, availability, development tools, and manufacturer support. The whole process may need to be iterated several times to arrive at the optimal decision.

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