What is the right amount of memory?
The movement to increasing memory size and the adoption of flash memory are givens. Increasing memory size enables customers to request an ever expanding range of features, such as networking interfaces, graphic controllers, LCD controllers, multiply-accumulate (MAC) operation, and timer and I/O engines. The abilities to retain data after removing power and rapidly reprogram products have driven the move to flash. In the short term, flash has increased product price. Over the long term, these prices will start to decline.
What are the pricing dynamics for the MCU I require?
The pricing delta for 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit MCUs has shrunk to the point that in many cases, only a few cents separate each.
Does the supplier fit my short-term and long-term needs?
Customers should focus on several characteristics of the supplier in addition to the quality of the specific MCU. For instance, what are the supplier’s failure rates in the field and in production? Low failure rates translate to lower long-term costs to the customer for the MCU. Suppliers should develop a broad line of products that overlaps with the customer’s organization-wide needs so the customer can purchase a wide range of MCUs, displays, and other products from a single supplier. The customer should ask about the industries and geographic areas where the supplier is strongest to ensure that products match specific customer needs and to determine if the supplier is dedicated to a given market or area for the long term. Finally, the supplier should possess production redundancy—i.e., two or more factories should produce a given MCU so the customer can continue to receive product if one factory is shut down.
The MCU market will continue to enjoy attractive growth rates, ranging from just over 5% percent for 8-bit products to more than 9% for 32-bit microcontrollers, notes Gartner Group. Trends including the opening of new markets such as China for home appliances as well as the proliferation of electronic systems in automobiles will drive volume and innovation for these processors. Customers that ask carefully considered questions about specific technologies, markets, and other needs will be best equipped to leverage the exciting developments that are taking place.
Roland Gehrmann is manager of business development in the ASSP Business Unit at Toshiba America Electronic Components Inc. (TAEC). He is responsible for all marketing for 8- to 32-bit embedded microcontrollers. Also, he has an electrical engineering degree from the University of Muenster, Germany.