Microcontrollers usually referred to as mini-computers, are made up of a microchip that has been integrated with a tiny CPU and other parts. Although microcontrollers have many uses, the automation of electronic devices, robotics, and temperature control in many industries are among the most popular. There are various varieties of microcontrollers, including 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit models.
There are numerous microcontrollers on the market, each with a unique architecture and intended use. The top microcontrollers, along with their architectures and applications, are covered in this article.
1. ESP32
The microcontroller ESP32 has Bluetooth and WiFi built right into its chip. It is an improved version of the ESP8266 that is less expensive and uses less power. The Tensilica Xtensa LX6 microprocessor, which is featured in either a single-core or dual-core version in the ESP32 series, has a clock frequency of roughly 240 MHz and is additionally integrated with antennas and switches. The ESP32 has applications primarily in smart technologies such as PLCs (programmable logic controllers), smart locks, thermostats, and security cameras because the low-level device drivers, and wireless protocol stacks for WiFi, and Bluetooth, are already installed in this module.
The following standout properties of ESP32:
| Processor | Tensilica Xtensa 32-bit LX6 microprocessor |
| Wifi | 802.11 b/g/n/e/i (802.11n @ 2.4 GHz up to 150 Mbit/s) |
| Bluetooth | v4.2 BR/EDR and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) |
| Memory | 448 KiB |
| Performance of processor | Up to 600 DMIPS |
2. Arduino UNO rev3
Among the best microcontroller families is yet another one. Microcontrollers made by the Arduino come in a variety of variants, including the Arduino Mega, Arduino Uno rev3, and Arduino Uno. The most recent Arduino model with an ATMega328p microcontroller is the Arduino UNO rev3. Applications for the Arduino UNO rev3 range from projects for beginners to commercial endeavors. The Arduino UNO rev3 can be connected by users to the computer’s USB ports, as well as to the AC and DC power supplies.
Before selecting the Arduino UNO rev3, one should be aware of the following features:
| Flash | 32 kB |
| SRAM | 2Kb |
| EEPROM | 1Kb |
| Total I/O pins | 14 |
| Ceramic resonator | 16 MHz |
| Communication | UART, IC2, and SPI |
| Voltage | 5 volts |
| USB-connector | USB-B |
3. PIC16F877A
The PIC family of microcontrollers is well known for its applications and capabilities. Both novices and specialists can benefit greatly from this family of microcontrollers. One of this family’s most well-known microcontrollers is the PIC18F877A. From A to E, the PIC16F877A has 40 legs and 5 ports. Three timers are included; two are 8-bit timers and one is 16-bit. The PIC16F877A microcontroller’s code can be written and erased indefinitely thanks to flash memory technology. Along with the EEPROM, which is used to permanently store a limited quantity of data, the PIC16F877A microcontroller also has the following additional crucial features:
| Total number of pins | 40 |
| Total number of ports | 5 |
| Operating voltage | 2-5.5 volts |
| Total I/O pins | 33 |
| Total ADC channels | 14 |
| Total number of timers | 3 |
| Total number of comparators | 2 |
| RAM | 368 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| CPU | 8 bit |
| CPU maximum speed | 256 MHz |
4. Raspberry Pi PICO
After the advent of the PICO microcontroller, Raspberry Pi has expanded its reputation beyond just its CPUs to include microcontrollers. It is offered by the Raspberry Pi for only $4 and shares a footprint with the Arduino Nano. Because of these crucial characteristics, it has been chosen as one of the best microcontrollers:
| Microcontroller | Raspberry Pi RP2040 Dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ architecture which is clocked at 133MHz |
| RAM size | 264KB |
| External RAM | Upto 16MB can be connected |
| GPIO pins | 26 |
| Analogue pins | 3 |
| Input voltage | 1.8 – 5.5 volts DC |
| In-built sensor | Temperature sensor |
| On-board LED | Included |
| Boot select pushbutton | Included |
5. ATtiny85
The microcontroller ATtiny85 is compact, has a small form factor, and has fewer GPIOs. The Attiny 85 has a RISC CPU design, which contributes to its fast performance. It stands out from other microcontrollers thanks to the inclusion of a watchdog timer, which also increases the security of the ATtiny85. When there is a need for interfacing between various devices and sensors, the ATtiny 85 is used.
The main characteristics of Attiny85 are:
| Total number of pins | 8 |
| Voltage | 1.8 to 5.5 volts |
| EEPROM | 8KBytes |
| RAM memory | 512 Bytes |
| Power save modes | power down, ADC noise reduction, and Idle mode |
| Maximum oscillator speed | Up to 20MHz |
| Total number of registers | 32 |
| Total number of I/O pins | 6 |
The Conclusion:
Electronic device automation uses microcontrollers. Microcontrollers are widely employed in both small-scale DIY projects and large-scale industrial applications. Top microcontrollers have been covered in this article, which every electronic enthusiast should be familiar with. The five microcontrollers that are covered in this article along with their architecture are those that are used the most frequently today.