WILL THE 32-bit MCU REPLACE THE 8-bit MCU IN THE FUTURE?
With the transformation of semiconductor demand and industry, the domestic MCU industry is facing new challenges. The two major MCU giants ST and TI have brought their new 32-bit new products based on Arm Cortex-M0+ this year.
An MCU (microcontroller unit) is a small computer on a single integrated circuit that contains a processor, memory, and peripherals. The term "bit" refers to the width of the data bus that connects the MCU's components.
An 8-bit MCU has an 8-bit data bus, which means it can process data in 8-bit chunks at a time. This type of MCU is generally simpler, cheaper, and consumes less power than a 32-bit MCU. They are commonly used in simple devices such as toys, remote controls, and basic appliances.
On the other hand, a 32-bit MCU has a 32-bit data bus, which means it can process data in larger chunks at a time. This type of MCU is more powerful and capable of handling more complex tasks. They are commonly used in more advanced applications such as automotive systems, industrial control systems, and complex medical devices.
In general, the choice between an 8-bit MCU and a 32-bit MCU depends on the specific application requirements, including processing power, memory requirements, and cost constraints. If the application is relatively simple and cost is a major concern, an 8-bit MCU may be sufficient. However, for more complex applications that require higher processing power and larger memory, a 32-bit MCU may be more appropriate.
The 8-bit MCU is low in cost, easy to develop, and its performance can meet the needs of most scenarios. It is widely used in downstream fields such as consumption, industrial control, home appliances, and automobiles (such as car fans, wiper sunroofs, etc.). And relying on the perfect "balance" performance in performance, price, power consumption, reliability and stability, 8-bit MCU still occupies a considerable position, showing tenacious vitality. According to IC Insights statistics, 4/8-bit MCUs accounted for 15% of global MCU products from 2011 to 2020. By 2026, the global 4/8-bit MCU will still have a scale of 2.4 billion US dollars.
Greg Robinson, vice president of marketing of Microchip's MCU8 (MCU8 is their name for 8-bit MCU) business unit with a 32% market share, also said in an interview with EEjournal in May last year that in those who are concerned about size, Applications where space, low power consumption, and longevity are required are increasingly using 8-bit processors as system management ICs and coprocessors. This is largely due to the dramatic growth of distributed intelligence in applications such as IoT edge nodes, automotive security, industrial control systems, medical electronics, and home electronics.
"Even with the most advanced 5G systems, we can often benefit from offloading certain tasks to smaller 8-bit processors, freeing up higher-level processors to work their magic and do what they do best Things," Greg Robinson continued. He further noted that, as odd as it sounds, much of the growth in 8-bit MCUs has been driven by growth in 32-bit, which is offloading tasks such as human-machine interface (HMI) functions and housekeeping to 8-bit processors. In addition, 8-bit machines are increasingly used as coprocessors, performing tasks such as taking sensor readings and preprocessing sensor data before passing it on to higher-level processors.
ST and TI's entry into the Cortex M0-level 32-bit MCU is not only optimistic about the opportunities brought by the 8-bit MCU's deep cultivation of the market, but also related to their own development status and market competition.
First look at ST, as shown in the figure below, although since 2010, they are all in the third place on the list of 8 global MCU suppliers. However, as MCU practitioner Zhang Yu (pseudonym) said, in the domestic market, under the impact of domestic manufacturers in the past few years, its STM8 market share has been declining. Moreover, as ST said in the above article-in the future, the capacity planning of STM8 will not increase, which means that ST will not recommend new customers and new applications to continue to use STM8.
Therefore, ST launched the Arm Cortex M0+ core series product STM32C0 designed for 8-bit/16-bit.
According to ST, STM32C0 is a product born for 8-bit/16-bit typical applications. Its peripherals are simple, economical and applicable, and are very suitable for engineers to develop; compared with similar products on the market, STM32C0 has stronger performance, quality reliability and stability. In addition, STM32C0 also has a large and mature ecosystem of STM32, and the supply is stable , can speed up product development and launch, and is the perfect choice for 8-bit/16-bit typical applications.
TI also recently brought MSPM0 based on Arm Cortex-M0+. According to TI, the new MCU products launched this time provide customers with the flexibility needed to enhance system sensing and control functions, while reducing cost, complexity, and design time. In addition to launching dozens of products for the first time, TI plans to launch more than 100 MCUs this year, building the MSPM0 product series into the industry's most complete Arm Cortex-M0+ MCU product portfolio.
According to TI, based on its own production and manufacturing base, the supply of these products can be well guaranteed.
Although from the pricing point of view, the two series of Arm Cortex-M0+ of ST and TI do not have many advantages compared with domestic manufacturers. In terms of international manufacturers, Infineon and NXP have also launched Cortex-M0+ products.
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