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World Microcontrollers Market
Frost & Sullivan, April 2008, Pages: 61
This research attempts to analyze the World Microcontrollers Market based on various bit cores such as 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit. It provides data on market dynamics, revenues and unit shipments of the three segments. It discusses market, technology and pricing trends for microcontrollers. Also, it provides an insight into the power consumption and embedded memory trends associated with microcontrollers.
Market Overview
Semiconductor Manufacturers’ Desire to Differentiate Products Gives a Leg up to the Microcontrollers Market
Performance benefits are no longer the sole product differentiator for microcontrollers, as manufacturers are gradually looking to increase the number of features in order to stand out in the market. The microcontroller market’s increasing tilt toward standard cores such as the ARM and 8051 has further strengthened efforts towards differentiation. 32-bit cores from ARM feature a variety of on-chip peripherals, especially for communications such as universal serial bus (USB), controller area network (CAN), as well as I2C interfaces and service provider interface (SPI). There has been a surge in the number of microcontrollers that integrate flash memory, as most of their advantages are centered on programmability.
Low-power microcontrollers are in demand because of an increasing focus on energy efficiency. The profusion of battery-powered applications is further driving the sales of low-power microcontrollers. Low power is no longer associated with low performance due to the current availability of powerful processors in this segment. 'As competition increases in the microcontroller market, manufacturers are expected to reach high performance pinnacles, while achieving shorter development times, improved functionality, and reduced costs,' says the analyst of this research. 'Integrated peripherals, on-chip memories, and power performance are some of the key factors that influence the choice of microcontrollers at present.'
Declining Prices Aid the Migration to Higher-end MCUs
While 8-bit microcontrollers are popular among emerging applications as well as electromechanical replacements, 16-bit microcontroller units (MCUs) that balance cost and performance are the processors of choice for many hand-held and portable devices. Simultaneously, 32-bit microcontrollers have gained traction among new applications that require a higher level of performance in various markets. With declining prices, this product segment is expected to eat into the shares of lower-end MCUs. Affordable prices are also the reason the Asian region is witnessing a migration to 16-bit architectures. Its rapidly evolving electronics market makes Asia one of the fastest growing markets for MCU manufacturers.
However, MCU manufacturers will have to offer more than just a staggering array of products to lure users away from their current manufacturer or architecture. Users are reluctant to shift not only due to reasons of unfamiliarity with new architectures but also because switching architectures incurs cost and time. The complications of porting the existing software to the new architecture and the need for designers to make an initial investment in software and tools are added constraints. 'However, the introduction of ready-to-use hardware and software development tools at competitive prices can provide seamless migration to higher-performance architectures,' notes the analyst. 'Chipmakers and third-party vendors need to continue working toward simplifying tool sets and reducing the costs associated with basic evaluation boards.'
Technologies
The following technologies are covered in this research:
-Application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)
-Application server software platform (ASSPs)
-Field programmable gate-arrays (FPGAs)
Market Sectors
Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:
-8-bit microcontrollers
-16-bit microcontrollers
-32-bit microcontrollers
-Flash microcontrollers
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