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This section provides an overview for microcomputer evaluation boards as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 6 microcomputer evaluation board manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked microcomputer evaluation board companies as of December, 2024: 1.Microchip Technology Inc., 2.Texas Instruments, 3.Renesas Electronics Corporation..
Table of Contents
A microcomputer evaluation board is a tool used for developing software for single-chip microcomputers, typically provided by the microcomputer's manufacturer.
These boards are essential in the early stages of software development, especially when the final device is not yet available. They allow developers to test and debug software without having to design a complete circuit, including peripheral circuits. This approach saves time by isolating software issues from potential hardware defects.
As these boards are guaranteed to function correctly by the manufacturer, developers can focus on software debugging more efficiently.
Microcomputer evaluation boards are used for developing and testing software in various contexts, particularly when the final hardware design is still in progress. They serve as virtual target devices, enabling software development in the absence of the actual hardware.
These boards contain essential hardware components required for a microcomputer, such as a reset circuit, an oscillator, display units (like 7-segment LEDs or LCDs), input switches, and serial communication interfaces. They are compatible with various emulators for enhanced debugging and testing.
An ICE emulates a microcomputer's CPU, allowing program verification directly on the development board. It's equipped with emulation chips and memory, handling peripheral circuit operations on the target board.
Some flash memory-based microcontrollers have built-in debugging modules. Commands from a development environment are converted by a debugging cable or a converter on the target board, facilitating communication with the microcontroller's CPU.
JTAG emulators, complying with the JTAG standard for testing integrated circuits and boards, are a type of on-chip emulator that aids in debugging and testing, even on difficult-to-probe boards like those with BGA packages.
In cases where the hardware required for control software development isn't available on the evaluation board, additional hardware boards can be connected to augment its capabilities.
These boards can execute software, output electrical signals, and in some cases, facilitate network communication testing. They usually support programming in languages like C.
FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) are devices for creating rewritable logic circuits. They allow on-the-spot corrections using hardware language to describe semiconductor circuits. These circuits include basic logic gates like AND, OR, NOT, and combinations like NAND, NOR, and EXOR, which can be operated by rewriting in hardware language.
Microcontroller development boards cater to embedded and IoT device development, supporting a range of 8-bit to 64-bit microcontrollers. Some can run real-time OS or Linux for IoT applications, focusing on controlling sensors and drive systems. They are versatile tools for program testing and circuit testing in early development stages.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Microchip Technology Incorporated was incorporated in 1989 and is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona. The company is a developer and manufacturer of control solutions for global markets including the automotive, industrial, communications, human-machine interface, and connectivity industries. The company’s products include microcontrollers, field-programmable gate array products, MOSFET and radio frequency products, and both wired and wireless communications products. The company’s services include wafer foundry and assembly services, test subcontracting manufacturing services, development tools for enabling system designers to program microcontrollers and processors, and timing system products.
Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation is a division of Toshiba focusing on providing designs for end-product developers as well as semiconductor and drive equipment for automotive, industrial equipment, green energy, and consumer and personal electronic devices. Toshiba’s storage products include cloud-scale and enterprise-level products, and PC hard drives. Semiconductor products include Si Cower devices, MOSFETs, IGBTs, IEGTs, isolators, solid state relays, power management and intelligent power ICs, diodes, bipolar transistors, microcontrollers, automotive devices, ICs for wireless communication equipment, general purpose logic ICs, radio-frequency devices, sensors, and linear image sensors.
Renesas Electronics Corporation was established in 2002 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Renesas is a global research, design, and manufacturer of semiconductors used in industries spanning automotive, consumer electronics, the internet of things, power & energy, and industrial sectors. Renesas manufactures both analog and digital products. Analog products include amplifiers, audio & video devices, data converters, PLC, and switches & multiplexers. Digital products include microcontrollers, memory components, sensors, wireless connectivity products, and others. Renesas also offers design resources such as kits, development tools, partner programs, and design tools.
NXP was established in 2006 as a spinoff from Phillips and is headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The company is a co-founder of NFC communication and designs and manufactures semiconductors that serve the automotive, industrial, mobile, and smart home industries. The company’s automotive products include driver assistance transceivers, sensors, and security systems. For industrial markets, the company produces RFID readers, processors, and microcontrollers. For communication infrastructure, the company produces RF mixers, diodes, and low-noise amplifiers for wireless LAN networks. The company also produces peripherals, power management chips, communications chips, and interface devices.
Texas Instruments Incorporated was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Texas Instruments is a producer of high tech equipment for industrial, automotive, personal electronics, communications equipment industries. Texas Instruments designs, manufactures, and sells semiconductors to electronics designers and manufacturers in the United States and internationally. Texas Instruments operates in two segments: analog and embedded processing. The Analog segment offers power products, including battery-management solutions, DC/DC switching regulators, power switches, linear regulators, voltage references, and lighting products. The Embedded Processing segment offers microcontrollers that are used in fields such as electronic equipment and digital signal processors for mathematical computations.
ST Micro Electronics is a global semiconductor company serving customers with innovations to have a positive impact on people's lives. Their product line is micro electronic systems, such as switches, controllers, sensors and drivers. The main selling point of ST Micro Electronics is its provision of sustainable products, and introducing their electronics to create a more sustainable world. The company, as well as providing the electronic devices, also provides software and support, ensuring that all fields are covered to provide a fully provide a supported and strong relationship with their customer base. ST Micro Electronics believe that technology plays a key role in helping to solve environmental and social challenges, which is why their semiconductor technologies start with their employees, their customers and partners.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microchip Technology Inc. |
20.0%
|
| 2 | Texas Instruments |
20.0%
|
| 3 | Renesas Electronics Corporation. |
20.0%
|
| 4 | Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage |
20.0%
|
| 5 | STMicroelectronics |
20.0%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the microcomputer evaluation board page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
2 | 50.0% |
|
United States of America
|
1 | 25.0% |
|
Netherlands
|
1 | 25.0% |
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