Section 1.1 Choosing a Microcontroller
How does one choose a microcontroller to use in an embedded system project? It first must meet all project requirements and it must include peripherals and accessories required to develop products with the microcontroller. In addition, it is important to ensure that the microcontroller not only is available now, but will also continue to be available through the anticipated lifespan of the project. Some considerations in making this determination are outlined below.
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Speed
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Packaging format (DIP, etc.)
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Packaging mounting (through-hole, surface-mount)
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Footprint
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Power consumption
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Memory format
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Memory capacity
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Peripheral features (timer/counters, ADC, etc.)
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Number of I/O pins
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Ease of upgrade
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Cost
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Availability and cost of an assembler and/or compiler
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Debugging tools
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Technical support
