Introduction
Microcontrollers are becoming increasingly popular in the modern era due to their ability to automate several tasks. Microcontrollers are mostly used in devices that require accurate timing, real-time data processing, and data acquisition. With so many choices in the market, selecting a microcontroller manufacturer can be daunting. In this blog post, we will conduct an unbiased comparison between two of the top microcontroller manufacturers – Microchip and Silicon Labs.
Microchip
Microchip is one of the most well-known microcontroller manufacturers, offering a wide range of microcontrollers and development tools. Their products have been reliable for several years and have a great reputation among hobbyists and professionals alike.
PIC Microcontrollers
PIC microcontrollers are Microchip's most popular product. They offer over 1000+ variations, making it convenient for all types of projects. The PIC18F4550 is one of Microchip's most popular microcontrollers, with several features that make it a preferred choice for hobbyists and professionals.
| Microcontroller | Flash Memory | RAM Memory | Max. Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PIC18F4550 | 32 KB | 2 KB | 48 MHz |
ARM Cortex Microcontrollers
Microchip also offers ARM Cortex microcontrollers, which are popular for industrial automation and robotics.
| Microcontroller | Flash Memory | RAM Memory | Max. Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAM4S Xplained | 2 MB | 160 KB | 120 MHz |
Silicon Labs
Silicon Labs, founded in 1996, is another popular microcontroller manufacturer, specializing in IoT and wireless connectivity.
EFM32 Gecko Series Microcontrollers
The EFM32 Gecko Series is Silicon Labs' most popular line of microcontrollers, using the ARM Cortex-M processor technology. These microcontrollers are energy-friendly and consume very little power.
| Microcontroller | Flash Memory | RAM Memory | Max. Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFM32GG11B820F2048GM64-B | 2048 KB | 256 KB | 72 MHz |
32-Bit Wireless Gecko Series Microcontrollers
Silicon Labs' Wireless Gecko Series is designed around the ARM® Cortex®-M family of processors, utilizing advanced digital peripherals and a flexible, low-power architecture.
| Microcontroller | Flash Memory | RAM Memory | Max. Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFR32FG14 | 1024 KB | 128 KB | 40 MHz |
Comparison
In terms of memory, Microchip's PIC microcontrollers offer a wide range of memory options, while Silicon Labs' microcontrollers provide larger memory capacity.
When it comes to speed, Microchip's microcontrollers offer a higher maximum speed.
Microchip's development boards are generally less expensive than Silicon Labs', although Silicon Labs' tools come with additional software, such as Simplicity Studio, which allows for easy development and debugging.
Conclusion
Both Microchip and Silicon Labs offer high-quality microcontrollers, and choosing one over the other depends on the requirements of the project. Microchip's PIC microcontrollers are a great choice for hobbyists, while Silicon Labs' Gecko Series microcontrollers offer larger memory capacities and are more suitable for industrial automation and robotics.