Selecting the Right Microcontroller for your Embedded Application

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About Jacob Beningo

Jacob Beningo is an embedded software consultant, founder of Beningo Embedded Group, creator of the Embedded Software Academy, and co-founder of the Embedded Online Conference. He helps developers and teams maintain and modernize their embedded software skills and processes so they can deliver better firmware faster. His expertise spans automotive, defense, medical, and space industries. He’s even developed software systems that have propelled systems to the Moon and beyond.

He has authored three books, including Embedded Software Design, sharing insights that guide engineers toward industry best practices and streamlined development approaches. Jacob also hosts the Embedded Frontier podcast, delving into cutting-edge trends and techniques that empower teams to continuously improve.

Additionally, Jacob lectures, consults, and contributes articles (including for embeddedrelated.com, Design News, and embedded.com) on modern, real-time embedded software development.

He holds two bachelor’s degrees from Central Michigan University in Electronics Engineering, and Physics and Mathematics. He also has a Master’s in Space Systems Engineering from the University of Michigan.

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Selecting the Right Microcontroller for your Embedded Application

Jacob Beningo - Watch Now - EOC 2022 - Duration: 56:58

Selecting the Right Microcontroller for your Embedded Application

Jacob Beningo

Abstract Test Your Knowledge Questions & Comments

Selecting a microcontroller can be an intimidating endeavor. With dozens of chip suppliers and thousands of microcontrollers to choose from, how on Earth is someone supposed to select the one that best fits their application needs?

In this session, we will explore how to winnow down the 73,000+ microcontroller options down to a manageable few and select the microcontroller that best fits your application and business needs. We will examine the process developers should follow to select a microcontroller that goes beyond the hardware capabilities and focuses on picking a platform solution that provides the right hardware, software frameworks and improves development productivity.

Topics Discussed in this Webinar Include:

The dramatic growth of the microcontroller industry
Microcontroller hardware architectures
The role of software in microcontroller selection
The microcontroller selection process
Avoiding supply chain constraints
Tips and tricks for successful microcontroller selection

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What decision tool does Jacob recommend to reduce bias and systematically compare microcontroller candidates?

A Use a KT (Kepner-Tregoe) matrix to list categories, weight criteria, and score candidates.

B Select the part with the largest online community and assume it's the best fit.

C Always choose the microcontroller with the highest clock speed to avoid future performance issues.

D Pick the cheapest part available that meets one or two requirements to minimize BOM cost.

E Decide based on vendor marketing slides and choose whichever family is most heavily promoted.

According to Jacob, which factor should primarily drive your microcontroller selection?

A The software and software stacks required by your product (let software dictate the MCU capabilities).

B Let the hardware team unilaterally choose the MCU based solely on the schematic and I/O counts.

C Always pick an MCU with the maximum possible peripherals so you never run out of I/O.

D Choose the MCU family with the most marketing materials regardless of software needs.

E Base the decision exclusively on the lowest per-unit cost to maximize profit margin.

What practice does Jacob highlight as important for mitigating supply-chain and longevity risk when selecting an MCU?

A Choose microcontrollers that have pin-compatible family members and always plan backups.

B Design the board around a single, unique MCU package to discourage cloning and ensure exclusivity.

C Ignore vendor longevity promises and assume parts will always be available from distributors.

D Rely only on commodity parts with no vendor support to minimize upfront licensing costs.

E Select the newest experimental silicon to future-proof the product regardless of availability.

Why does Jacob recommend performing a Threat Model Security Analysis (TMSA) early in the MCU selection process?

A To identify system data assets and determine what hardware security features are required (e.g., secure storage, TrustZone).

B Because security analysis is only required if the device will connect to the internet; otherwise it can be skipped.

C Primarily to create marketing claims about security, not to influence hardware selection.

D To postpone hardware decisions until after production, since security rarely affects MCU choice.

E So the team can avoid designing secure storage and rely on obfuscation instead of hardware features.

What practical method does Jacob recommend to winnow thousands of MCU options down to a few candidates?

A Use vendor ecosystem tools (for example STM32CubeMX's MCU Finder) and filter by your required features and peripherals.

B Randomly pick parts from distributor catalogs like Digi-Key until something looks right.

C Always choose the highest-end MCU in the vendor portfolio to avoid future redesigns.

D Select parts only by advertised clock speed because frequency determines system performance alone.

E Base the choice solely on how visually attractive the development board looks in photos.

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Topic(s) Covered

About Jacob Beningo

Slides

Selecting the Right Microcontroller for your Embedded Application

What decision tool does Jacob recommend to reduce bias and systematically compare microcontroller candidates?

According to Jacob, which factor should primarily drive your microcontroller selection?

What practice does Jacob highlight as important for mitigating supply-chain and longevity risk when selecting an MCU?

Why does Jacob recommend performing a Threat Model Security Analysis (TMSA) early in the MCU selection process?

What practical method does Jacob recommend to winnow thousands of MCU options down to a few candidates?

Quiz Complete!

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