The rise of commercial real-time operating systems (RTOSs) and open-source operating systems like uCLinux, now part of the main Linux development tree, continues to push memory capacities and chip feature sets to greater heights. This will drive developers to prune down applications to fit in smaller, less-costly 32-bit MCUs, as well as take advantage of the higher-end, memory-rich products. Megabyte flash memories are just the start, not the limit.
Java hardware acceleration and even native code Java execution works best on a 32-bit platform. Arm's Jazelle DBX (for Direct Bytecode eXecution) is found in a number of microcontrollers, but it seems to be an underused feature with the exception of a few key application areas.
This year may be different with the release of ARM's Cortex-A8, which uses the Jazelle RCT (Runtime Compilation Target) architecture instead of DBX. It suits Java, but RCT works equally well for other programming languages. It may well be that 2006 is the year of hardware introduction and experimentation.
Production will continue in hardware acceleration for wired networks such as Ethernet and security. Hardware encryption and on-chip key storage will provide the basis for security. Also, rights-management protocols are now moving to the fore. Some 32-bit MCUs will gain DSP-style features to handle applications like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
64-BIT MCUs
If you're looking for performance, there's a growing crop of 64-bit microcontrollers to choose from, including the multicore area. That's where you'll find PowerPC and MIPS cores coupled with high-performance interfaces (e.g., PCI Express, HyperTransport, Serial RapidIO). Many chips even have multiple Gigabit Ethernet interfaces on-chip.
Off-chip memory is the norm. Therefore, single-chip solutions are rare. But not all applications demand a multicore server farm. Storage systems require more performance, and 64-bit MCUs will sit between the storage devices and the main processors.
Look for more of these high-performance chips to show up to fulfill expanding storage and network processing systems. High-speed serial fabrics will have an impact on this class, providing the intelligence between powerful clusters and peripherals. High-end network edge devices also benefit from a 64-bit MCU's power. Look for dual high-speed Ethernet links and encryption support.
Finally, 64-bit solutions will compete with 32-bit MCUs in high-end multimedia applications. Hardware acceleration will be included on both sides, but 64-bit processors can still move more data than a 32-bit processor—especially if it requires floating point.
The rise of commercial real-time operating systems (RTOSs) and open-source operating systems like uCLinux, now part of the main Linux development tree, continues to push memory capacities and chip feature sets to greater heights. This will drive developers to prune down applications to fit in smaller, less-costly 32-bit MCUs, as well as take advantage of the higher-end, memory-rich products. Megabyte flash memories are just the start, not the limit.
Java hardware acceleration and even native code Java execution works best on a 32-bit platform. Arm's Jazelle DBX (for Direct Bytecode eXecution) is found in a number of microcontrollers, but it seems to be an underused feature with the exception of a few key application areas.
This year may be different with the release of ARM's Cortex-A8, which uses the Jazelle RCT (Runtime Compilation Target) architecture instead of DBX. It suits Java, but RCT works equally well for other programming languages. It may well be that 2006 is the year of hardware introduction and experimentation.
Production will continue in hardware acceleration for wired networks such as Ethernet and security. Hardware encryption and on-chip key storage will provide the basis for security. Also, rights-management protocols are now moving to the fore. Some 32-bit MCUs will gain DSP-style features to handle applications like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
64-BIT MCUs
If you're looking for performance, there's a growing crop of 64-bit microcontrollers to choose from, including the multicore area. That's where you'll find PowerPC and MIPS cores coupled with high-performance interfaces (e.g., PCI Express, HyperTransport, Serial RapidIO). Many chips even have multiple Gigabit Ethernet interfaces on-chip.
Off-chip memory is the norm. Therefore, single-chip solutions are rare. But not all applications demand a multicore server farm. Storage systems require more performance, and 64-bit MCUs will sit between the storage devices and the main processors.
Look for more of these high-performance chips to show up to fulfill expanding storage and network processing systems. High-speed serial fabrics will have an impact on this class, providing the intelligence between powerful clusters and peripherals. High-end network edge devices also benefit from a 64-bit MCU's power. Look for dual high-speed Ethernet links and encryption support.
Finally, 64-bit solutions will compete with 32-bit MCUs in high-end multimedia applications. Hardware acceleration will be included on both sides, but 64-bit processors can still move more data than a 32-bit processor—especially if it requires floating point.