Embedded - Microprocessors

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
MPC8255AZUPIBB

MPC8255AZUPIBB

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

POWERQUICC RISC MICROPROCESSOR,

910

MPC852TCZT66A

MPC852TCZT66A

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

RISC MICROPROCESSOR, CMOS

359

MPC8313EVRAFFB

MPC8313EVRAFFB

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

MPU, 32-BIT, 333MHZ, PBGA516

15798

MPC8313ECVRADDB

MPC8313ECVRADDB

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

32-BIT, 400MHZ, CMOS, PBGA516

1240

MPC860TVR66D4

MPC860TVR66D4

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

POWERQUICC 32 BIT POWER ARCHITEC

75

P1010NXN5KHA

P1010NXN5KHA

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

QORIQ RISC MICROPROCESSOR, POWER

5

MC9328MXLCVP15

MC9328MXLCVP15

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

DRAGONBALL MXL 225 PB-FR

0

MCIMX31LCVMN4D

MCIMX31LCVMN4D

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

I.MX31 32-BIT MPU, ARM1136JF-S C

273

P2020NSE2HFC

P2020NSE2HFC

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

QORIQ, 32-BIT POWER ARCH SOC, 2

0

MCIMX6U4AVM08AB

MCIMX6U4AVM08AB

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

I.MX 6 SERIES 32 BIT MPU, DUAL A

60

P5020NSN7QMB

P5020NSN7QMB

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

QORIQ, 64-BIT POWER ARCH SOC, DU

10

MPC8569CVTANKGB

MPC8569CVTANKGB

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

32-BIT, 800MHZ, CMOS, PBGA783

44

MPC8379EVRAGD

MPC8379EVRAGD

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

32-BIT, 400MHZ, CMOS, PBGA689

306

MPC8245ARVV400D

MPC8245ARVV400D

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

32-BIT, 400MHZ, CMOS, PBGA352

45067

MPC8569EVTAUNLB

MPC8569EVTAUNLB

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

32-BIT, 1333MHZ, CMOS, PBGA783

51

MPC8548EPXAVHD

MPC8548EPXAVHD

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

MPU, 32-BIT, 1500MHZ, PBGA783

60

MC68LC302AF25CT

MC68LC302AF25CT

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

INTEGRATED MULTIPROTOCOL MICROPR

847

MPC8572EPXATLD

MPC8572EPXATLD

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

MPU, 32-BIT, 1200MHZ, PBGA1023

11120

MPC8572EVTATLE

MPC8572EVTATLE

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

POWERQUICC III INTEGRATED PROCES

24

MC68302CRC20C

MC68302CRC20C

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

LAN CONTROLLER

14

Embedded - Microprocessors

1. Overview

Embedded microprocessors are specialized computing units designed for dedicated control, monitoring, or processing tasks within electronic systems. Unlike general-purpose CPUs, they integrate processing cores, memory interfaces, and peripheral controllers into a single chip (SoC) to optimize performance, power efficiency, and cost for specific applications. These devices form the backbone of modern IoT, automotive systems, industrial automation, and consumer electronics.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

TypeFunctional CharacteristicsApplication Examples
ARM Cortex-M SeriesLow-power 32-bit cores with real-time capabilities, optional DSP extensionsSmart sensors, wearables, motor control
PowerPCHigh reliability, floating-point units, automotive/Aerospace focusedVehicle ECUs, avionics systems
MIPSEfficient pipelining, 32/64-bit variants for multimedia processingNetworking equipment, set-top boxes
RISC-VOpen instruction set, modular architecture for customizationAI accelerators, edge computing devices
x86 (Embedded)PC compatibility, high processing power with integrated GPUsIndustrial PCs, medical imaging equipment

3. Architecture and Components

A typical embedded microprocessor contains:

  • Processing Core(s): RISC/Complex Instruction Set architectures with 1-8 cores
  • Memory Subsystem: Integrated SRAM, ROM, and external DRAM controllers
  • Peripheral Interfaces: UART, SPI, I2C, USB, CAN, PCIe, Ethernet MAC
  • Real-Time Components: Watchdog timers, PWM generators, ADC/DAC modules
  • Power Management: Multiple sleep modes, DVFS (Dynamic Voltage/Frequency Scaling)

4. Key Technical Specifications

ParameterDescriptionImportance
Clock FrequencyOperating speed (10MHz-6GHz)Determines processing throughput
Instruction SetRISC vs CISC architectureAffects code density and power consumption
TDP (Thermal Design Power)Power consumption under load (100mW-50W)Dictates thermal management requirements
Process NodeManufacturing technology (28nm-5nm)Impacts performance and energy efficiency
Memory BandwidthData transfer rate between core and memoryLimits performance in data-intensive tasks

5. Application Domains

  • Consumer Electronics: Smartphones (application processors), home appliances
  • Automotive: ADAS controllers, engine management systems
  • Industrial: PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), robotics
  • Healthcare: MRI scanners, portable diagnostic devices
  • Communications: 5G base stations, optical network transceivers

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

ManufacturerRepresentative ProductKey Features
ARM HoldingsCortex-A78128-bit NEON engine, 4nm process, 3.0GHz
IntelAtom x6425EQuad-core, 12W TDP, integrated Intel HD Graphics
NXP Semiconductorsi.MX 8M Plus1.8GHz Cortex-A53, NPU for ML acceleration
MicrochipSAM9X6032-bit ARM926EJ-S, 120MHz, ECC memory support
QualcommQCS610Hexagon DSP, Adreno GPU, AI Engine for computer vision

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations include:

  • Performance requirements vs power budget (e.g., Cortex-M55 for ultra-low-power AI)
  • Real-time constraints (deterministic latency for motor control applications)
  • Peripheral integration (CAN FD for automotive networks)
  • Software ecosystem (RTOS support, middleware availability)
  • Longevity and supply chain stability (automotive-grade qualification)

Case Study: A smart thermostat design selected NXP's MCIMX7U5 (Cortex-M4 + Cortex-A7) for its combination of real-time sensor processing and application-layer connectivity.

8. Industry Trends

Emerging directions include:

  • AI integration: On-chip neural processing units (NPUs) for edge ML inference
  • Heterogeneous computing: Multi-architecture SoCs (RISC-V + GPU + NPU)
  • Advanced packaging: 3D-stacked memory integration for bandwidth-intensive applications
  • Functional safety: ISO 26262 compliance for autonomous vehicle systems
  • Open ecosystems: Growth of RISC-V adoption in custom ASIC designs
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