Embedded - Microprocessors

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
P1022NXN2HFB

P1022NXN2HFB

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

QORIQ, 32 BIT POWER ARCH SOC, 80

0

P1022NSN2HFB

P1022NSN2HFB

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

QORIQ, 32 BIT POWER ARCH SOC, 80

0

MC68HC000CRC8

MC68HC000CRC8

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

MPU, 32-BIT, 8MHZ, CMOS, CPGA68

230

T1020NSE7MQB

T1020NSE7MQB

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

QORIQ, 2X E5500, 1200MHZ, DDR3L/

3

MPC8548CPXAQGB

MPC8548CPXAQGB

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

MPU, 32-BIT, 1000MHZ, PBGA783

150

P4080NSN1NNB

P4080NSN1NNB

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

QORIQ RISC MICROPROCESSOR, POWER

46

MC68LC302AF20VCT

MC68LC302AF20VCT

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

INTEGRATED MULTIPROTOCOL MICROPR

0

MPC880CVR133

MPC880CVR133

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

POWERQUICC 32 BIT POWER ARCHITEC

0

MC7448VU867ND

MC7448VU867ND

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

RISC MICROPROCESSOR, 32-BIT, POW

612

MVF50NS151CMK40

MVF50NS151CMK40

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

VYBRID F 32-BIT MPU, ARM CORTEX-

1980

MPC8347CVRAGDB

MPC8347CVRAGDB

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

POWERQUICC 32 BIT POWER ARCH SOC

0

MC68EC000EI8

MC68EC000EI8

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

32-BIT, 8MHZ, CMOS, PQCC68

0

MPC8536BVTAKGA

MPC8536BVTAKGA

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

MPU, 32-BIT, 600MHZ, PBGA783

3391

MC9328MX21SVK

MC9328MX21SVK

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

MICROPROCESSOR, 32 BIT, 266MHZ,

1726

T4240NSN7TTB

T4240NSN7TTB

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

QORIQ, 64B POWER ARCH, 24X 1.8GH

7

MPC8536AVTANG

MPC8536AVTANG

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

MPU, 32-BIT, 800MHZ, PBGA783

6

MC68EN360AI25L

MC68EN360AI25L

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

QUICC COMMUNICATIONS CONTROLLER,

61370

P2020NXE2HHC

P2020NXE2HHC

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

QORIQ, 32-BIT POWER ARCH SOC, 2

30

MPC855TVR80D4

MPC855TVR80D4

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

POWERQUICC 32 BIT POWER ARCHITEC

0

MPC8360EZUAJDGA

MPC8360EZUAJDGA

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors)

POWERQUICC RISC MICROPROCESSOR,

0

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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