10 Top Trends in Microcontrollers for 2024

Fueled by an insatiable demand for smarter, more efficient and versatile electronic devices, the microcontroller (MCU) landscape is evolving rapidly. Microcontrollers – the compact yet formidable brains behind an array of gadgets from household appliances to industrial equipment – are at the forefront of technological advancement and undergoing remarkable changes. 

This article will delve into ten top microcontroller trends for 2024, examining how these developments are enhancing the capabilities and functionalities of various electronics and paving the way for future innovations.

1. Enhanced Integration Capabilities

One prominent trend in microcontrollers for 2024 is the push toward enhanced integration capabilities. Manufacturers are increasingly embedding additional functionalities – like wireless communications and advanced security features – directly into microcontroller units. This integration simplifies design complexities and reduces the overall size and power consumption of devices. 

Enhanced integration is particularly vital in the development of IoT devices, where space and power efficiency are crucial. Such advancements are enabling a new generation of compact, connected and secure devices, paving the way for more sophisticated applications in both consumer and industrial sectors.

Texas Instruments' SimpleLink™ MCUs are a great example. These MCUs offer integrated wireless connectivity and advanced security, showcasing the trend toward more integrated microcontroller solutions.

2. Improved Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency remains a critical focus in microcontroller development. In 2024, we are seeing a new wave of ultra-low-power MCUs designed to extend the battery life of portable and wearable devices. These MCUs are engineered to operate at minimal power levels while maintaining optimal performance, an essential requirement for applications like remote sensors and health monitoring devices. 

The STM32L series of MCUs from STMicroelectronics stands out for its ultra-low power consumption, making them ideal for energy-efficient applications in portable and wearable devices.

3. Advanced Security Features

As the world becomes increasingly connected, the importance of security in microcontrollers cannot be overstated. In 2024, we see MCUs with advanced security features becoming a standard. These features include hardware-based encryption, secure boot processes and integrated threat detection capabilities. 

This trend is critical in addressing growing concerns over data privacy and cybersecurity threats, especially in applications involving sensitive data like financial transactions or personal health information. 

Microchip's SAM L10 and SAM L11 MCU families were designed with a focus on advanced security. They feature hardware-based encryption and secure boot capabilities, addressing the growing need for secure microcontroller solutions.

4. Greater Processing Power 

Microcontrollers are witnessing a significant uptick in processing power. The demand for faster, more powerful MCUs is driven by the need to handle complex algorithms and large data sets, especially in applications like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). 

In 2024, we'll see microcontrollers equipped with higher clock speeds, more cores and increased memory capacity. This trend enables more sophisticated processing capabilities at the edge, reduces the need for cloud-based computations, and facilitates faster, real-time decision-making in applications such as autonomous vehicles and smart manufacturing.

NXP's i.MX RT Crossover MCUs feature the high-performance Arm® Cortex®-M core and Zephyr RTOS functionality in a microcontroller optimized for real-time Ethernet protocols in industrial IoT and automotive applications. 

5. Miniaturization

The ongoing trend of miniaturization in microcontrollers continues unabated, with manufacturers producing ever-smaller MCUs without compromising functionality. This miniaturization is critical in applications where space is at a premium, such as medical implants or wearable technology. Smaller MCUs allow for more compact designs and contribute to the aesthetic appeal of consumer products. 

The Microchip Technology PIC10F series showcases the miniaturization trend in microcontrollers. These are small yet powerful MCUs designed for cost-sensitive and space-constrained applications. 

6. Increased Connectivity Options

Connectivity is a crucial trend in the microcontroller industry, with an increasing number of MCUs featuring multiple connectivity options. These include support for traditional protocols like Ethernet and newer standards like 5G, NB-IoT, and LoRaWAN. 

The ability to support a wide range of connectivity options is crucial in developing IoT devices. This trend enables devices to interact more effectively within the IoT ecosystem, enhancing data exchange, remote monitoring and control capabilities, which are crucial for applications ranging from smart homes to industrial automation.

The ESP32 series from Espressif is notable for its wide range of connectivity options, making it a versatile choice for connected applications.

7. Adoption of RISC-V Architecture 

The adoption of the RISC-V architecture in microcontrollers is gaining momentum. This open-standard instruction set architecture (ISA) offers flexibility and customization that proprietary ISAs cannot match. RISC-V allows manufacturers and designers to develop custom microcontroller solutions tailored to specific applications without the licensing and royalty constraints associated with traditional ISAs. This trend is fostering innovation and competition in the microcontroller market, leading to more diverse and specialized MCU offerings. 

SiFive offers a range of RISC-V-based microcontrollers, which are gaining popularity due to their flexible customization and open-source architecture. SiFive's cores are small and provide high power efficiency, enabling more cores on a chip for highly efficient and cost-effective computing.

8. Expansion in Automotive Applications

The automotive industry continues to be a significant driver of microcontroller innovation. In 2024, we're seeing an expansion of MCU applications in vehicles, from engine control units to advanced driver-assistance systems. The trend towards electric and autonomous vehicles is particularly influential, requiring MCUs with high reliability and real-time processing capabilities. 

Infineon's AURIX™ microcontroller family is designed specifically for automotive use. It offers high performance, safety features and real-time capabilities suitable for ADAS and EV controls.

9. A Focus on Sustainability

Sustainability has become an essential consideration for the microcontroller industry. Manufacturers are responding by developing MCUs using environmentally friendly processes and materials. Additionally, there's an emphasis on creating MCUs that enable energy-saving features in end products, contributing to reducing our carbon footprint. 

This trend is in response to growing environmental concerns and the push for sustainable technology solutions. Manufacturers are addressing environmental challenges by prioritizing sustainability in MCU development and meeting the increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly products.

Renesas offers the RL78 Family of MCUs, which feature low power consumption and efficient operation, aligning with the industry's push toward sustainability.

10. Development of Application-Specific MCUs

The trend of developing application-specific microcontrollers (ASMCUs) will be prominent in 2024. These specialized MCUs are designed to meet the unique requirements of specific applications, such as wearable technology, smart home devices, or industrial automation. By tailoring MCUs to specific use cases, manufacturers can optimize performance, power consumption and cost. 

The Wearable Health™ MCU from Maxim Integrated (now part of Analog Devices) is tailored specifically for health and fitness wearables, exemplifying the trend of developing application-specific MCUs.

What’s on the Horizon

As we look forward, the trends in microcontroller technology highlight a landscape of innovation, efficiency and customization. The advancements we see in 2024 reflect an industry that is adapting to the evolving demands of the digital era and shaping the future of technology. 

From enhanced integration and energy efficiency to a focus on sustainability and application-specific designs, these trends are setting the stage for transformative changes across multiple industries. Electronic designers and engineers must understand and leverage these trends, as doing so is crucial for developing the next generation of electronic products.