Top 6 Trends in Microcontroller Technology

Microcontroller (MCU) technology has come a long way since its inception in the 1970s. In recent years, several trends in the microcontroller market have impacted the design and functionality of these devices. Today, microcontrollers – which are basically computers encapsulated in an integrated circuit that can be programmed to perform specific tasks – are at the heart of a wide range of electronic devices, ranging from home appliances and automobiles to industrial control systems and medical equipment.

MCUs vs FPGAs and ASICs

To understand the different capabilities and most common uses of MCUs compared to ASICs and FPGAs, see our guide, FPGA vs. MCU: Which Processor Should You Use? 

The global microcontroller market size was valued at USD 18.5 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8% from 2022 to 2030, according to Grand View Research. Globally, more than 29 billion units of microcontrollers were shipped in 2021. In this article, we will discuss some of the top trends in microcontroller technology that are shaping the way these devices are being designed and used.

1. Low-power MCUs for IoT, smart home and wearables

One trend that has gained a lot of attention is the increasing use of low-power microcontrollers for IoT, smart home, smart building and wearable applications. These microcontrollers are designed to consume very little power, making them ideal for use in portable and other devices that need to operate for long periods of time without a power source. 

Microcontrollers are an essential component of IoT and smart home devices, providing the processing power and connectivity needed to collect, analyze and transmit data. One development related to MCUs for IoT and smart home applications is the increasing use of wireless connectivity options, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Zigbee. These wireless technologies make MCUs easier to integrate into products.  

For a rundown of MCUs with Bluetooth 5 connectivity capabilities, see our Bluetooth 5 Microcontroller Selection Guidelines. If you’re designing a product that’s going to use Ethernet for connectivity, possibly driven by the desire to take advantage of Power over Ethernet (PoE) to power your application, see Working With Ethernet MCUs with PHY Support for IPv4/IPv6 IoT.

2. Automotive MCUs with advanced processing capabilities

As technology continues to advance, microcontrollers are being used in a wider range of applications that require more complex processing. This has led to the development of microcontrollers with more powerful processors and more memory. One example of this trend is the increasing use of microcontrollers in automotive applications. 

Modern cars are becoming increasingly sophisticated with features such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), voice-activated entertainment systems, and autonomous driving capabilities. This trend is creating huge business opportunities. These features all require a significant amount of processing power, which is provided by MCUs with advanced processing capabilities designed and certified for demanding automotive applications.

3. More rugged and highly robust industrial MCUs

A third trend in the microcontroller market is the growing use of microcontrollers in the industrial sector. Industrial microcontrollers are used to control a wide range of equipment, including machine tools, manufacturing systems, intelligent robots and more. Such industrial MCUs are often designed to be extremely rugged and durable, making them capable of withstanding harsh industrial environments.

One example of this trend is the use of microcontrollers in “Industry 4.0,” which refers to the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and IoT technologies into sophisticated, automated manufacturing systems. Industry 4.0 is expected to revolutionize manufacturing, and microcontrollers will play a key role in enabling these advances.

For a look at some MCUs appropriate for smaller robots – and what specifications you should look for when selecting one – see our guide on the best MCUs to use for robotics applications.

4. Smaller, lower-power MCUs for embedded systems

A fourth trend in the microcontroller market is the increasing use of microcontrollers in embedded systems. These microcontrollers need to use very little power without compromising on performance. Manufacturers will use many methods to cut MCU power consumption, including lower clock frequencies, dynamic scaling, clock gating, individual control to peripherals and more.

Low power consumption also aids in making devices smaller by reducing the power supply required. A low-power device can work for a long period of time with just a very small battery. This trend has encouraged many MCU manufacturers to produce low-power, energy-efficient MCUs for embedded systems that are easy to program and still deliver high performance. 

To learn about the advantages of using an MCU with an integrated analog comparator for some applications, along with a rundown of some popular MCUs with an analog comparator, see our guide, Do You Need an Analog Comparator in Your MCU?

5. MCUs for a wide variety of healthcare applications

The growing use of microcontrollers in healthcare is a fifth impactful trend in the microcontroller market. Healthcare applications that increasingly utilize MCUs span a wide range of medical devices, patient monitoring systems, diagnostic equipment and more. The use of microcontrollers in healthcare is expected to grow significantly in the coming years as the demand for advanced healthcare technology increases.

With the decrease in size and improvement in processing power, new medical devices are now capable of collecting patient data and making decisions that can improve treatment, medication and outcomes. Some of these systems are replacing the need for a doctor to visit a patient to examine their symptoms. This is a great advancement in the medical field, improving the quality of healthcare delivered, while reducing the costs of treatment.

6. Security: An increasingly important concern

Last, but not least, is a growing focus on the security of microcontrollers. As IoT, smart home and other connected devices proliferate, the risks of cyber-attacks and data breaches continue to increase. Microcontrollers are potentially vulnerable to hacking and other security threats, which can have dire consequences. To address this concern, microcontroller manufacturers have been developing more secure microcontrollers that are resistant to hacking and other forms of cyber-attacks.

One trend related to microcontroller security is the use of encryption and secure communication protocols, such as SSL and TLS. These technologies help protect against data breaches and ensure that private and sensitive information is kept that way. Another trend is the use of hardware-based security measures, such as secure boot and hardware-based authentication, which help prevent unauthorized access to devices.

Learn more about hardware security and trusted platforms by reading this article from our partner Arrow Electronics, The Next Smart Space Revolution Needs to Secure Itself from the Ground Up.

Stay abreast of the latest trends and create better designs

Microcontroller technology is constantly evolving to meet the needs of an increasingly wide range of applications. The trends covered in this article will continue to impact the design and functionality of microcontrollers in the years to come. As technology continues to evolve, we will see further advancements in the field of microcontrollers, and it is important for engineers to stay on top of the latest microcontroller trends so they can make smart, informed decisions about which devices to use in their designs.