This section provides an overview for mcus as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 24 mcu manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked mcu companies as of November, 2024: 1.Resources Microelectronics Limited, 2.GigaDevice, 3.GLOBALFOUNDRIES.
Table of Contents
MCU, short for micro controller unit, is often considered synonymous with a microprocessor. It is a crucial component in computers, including elements like MCU, memory, graphics, HDD drives, and input/output devices such as Ethernet communication interfaces.
The primary function of an MCU is to read and execute instructions stored in memory. It plays a vital role in the processing and operational control of computers and various electronic devices.
MCUs are integral to computers ranging from supercomputers to consumer devices like smartphones and tablets. They are also prevalent in consumer electronics (such as TVs and audio equipment), vehicles, and professional measuring instruments. By incorporating peripheral hardware, MCUs enable device miniaturization and specialization for specific applications.
MCUs are designed to sequentially read instructions from memory, decode, and execute them, performing arithmetic operations and interfacing with peripheral devices. The set of instructions within the MCU defines its capabilities and the actions to be taken for each instruction.
Advancements in semiconductor technology have allowed MCUs to integrate functions like memory, graphics, and interfaces, contributing to device miniaturization. Integrated graphics enable data display on connected displays, while built-in Ethernet communication functions allow network data processing.
While MCUs and MPUs (Micro Processor Units) share similarities, they differ in key aspects:
MCUs, being more limited in functionality and lower in performance compared to MPUs, are chosen for their low power consumption and cost-effectiveness, particularly when their capabilities are sufficient for the desired function.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
Sort by Area
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.
Silicon Labs, established in 1996 with headquarters and production and R&D facilities in the USA, is a manufacturer of electronic devices and related equipment for the home automation, industrial automation, data center, automotive, communications, healthcare, and retail markets. The company's products include microcontrollers, RF integrated circuits, intelligent sensors, USB bridges, clocks, oscillators, isolators, PoE controllers, and modems. The company offers a cloud-based software platform integrated with Silicon Labs' hardware to allow their developers and OEMs to build advanced industrial, commercial, home, and life applications that include circuit breakers, home appliances, battery-powered tools, and smart hospital equipment.
Globalfoundries, established in 2009 in California, USA, is a manufacturer of advanced semiconductors for multiple industrial and security uses. The company, with manufacturing facilities around the world, offers advanced semiconductor manufacturing services for various industries, including automotive, mobility, IoT, and advanced computing. Their products include FinFet, RF SOI, silicon photonics, feature-rich CMOS and multiple pervasive chips. They provide comprehensive solutions from initial design to volume production, utilizing cutting-edge process technologies. Their applications are found in cellular radio, Wifi, Home IoT, security and audio & power management for enhanced productivity and seamless transmission.
Cisco Systems, Inc., founded in 1984 and based in San Jose, California, is a manufacturer, distributor, and supplier of networking hardware, software, and services. Their offerings include routers for network connection and traffic routing, switches to manage internal network traffic, wireless access points for wireless connectivity, security appliances to safeguard against unauthorized access and attacks, and collaboration solutions to facilitate communication and collaboration among individuals. Cisco's comprehensive range of products caters to diverse networking needs, enabling seamless communication, data transfer, and collaboration across networks.
GNS Components Limited, founded in 2008 and located in Shenzhen, China, is a manufacturer of electronic components. The company’s broad range of products includes transistors, diodes, capacitors, resistors, and IGBT modules. These products are used for amplifiers and digital logic circuits, rectification and voltage regulation, energy storage and filtering roles, controlling current and voltage in various circuits, and enabling high-power switching applications. These components are vital building blocks in electronic devices and systems, spanning industries such as consumer electronics, telecommunications, automotive, aerospace, and industrial automation.
GigaDevice, established in 2005 at Beijing, China is a manufacturer of fabless flash memory and microcontroller solutions. The company specializing in creating a modern chip ecosystem infusing computing, storage and sensing offers a smart chip network for enhanced performance and less power consumption. They make products such as SPI NOR flash, Arm Cortex M3 MCU, fingerprint sensors, motor driver and advanced power IC. These MCUs and fabless memories are used in applications such as automotive, consumer electronics, network communications, IoT and mobile technologies. They bring enhanced performance in semiconductors and microelectronics power needs.
Nuvoton Technology Corporation, founded in 2008 with headquarters in Taiwan, is a semiconductor manufacturer that provides foundry capabilities as a manufacturing partner to fabless or fab-lite semiconductor companies. Nuvoton Foundry FAB offers a variety of technologies, including generic logic, mixed signal (mixed Mmde), high-voltage power management components, and embedded logic non-volatile memory. The company provides customized design and manufacturing services, including multi-layer mask and multi-project wafer production services. Nuvoton Technology Corporation's products and services are also used in sensors, biochips, and TVS.
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.
Espressif Systems, based in Shanghai, China, is manufacturer of integrated circuits (ICs) and provides semiconductor solutions worldwide. Established in 2008, the company specializes in the design and production of chips and modules for wireless communication and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. One sample product is their ESP32 series, which includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips. These chips are widely used various IoT devices and applications, such as smart home devices, wearables, industrial automation, and more. Espressif Systems also provides development boards, software development kits (SDKs), and other development tools.
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.
Japan Semiconductor Corporation is based in Kitakami City, Iwate, and is a Japanese custom manufacturer of system large-scale integration (LSI) chips established in 1973 before its acquisition by the Toshiba Corporation in 1987. The company produces a range of chips to customer specifications, including analog ICs, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICS), CMOS image sensors, and wafer-level chip-scale packages (WCSP). It also offers chip design and fabrication foundry services for customer projects. The company’s products are commonly used in consumer electronics, industrial equipment, medical devices, and automotive computer systems.
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.
Infineon Technologies AG (Infineon) is headquartered in Neubiberg, Germany. Infineon designs, develops, manufactures, and markets semiconductors and related system solutions worldwide. Infineon’s automotive segment produces microcontrollers, discrete power semiconductors, IGBT modules, industrial microcontrollers, power and radar sensor ICs, SiC diodes, MOSFETs voltage regulators, comfort electronics, infotainment, powertrain, and security products. Industrial Power Control segment provides bare dies, discrete IGBTs, and driver ICs among other components. Power & Sensor Systems segment offers gas and pressure sensors, MEMS microphone chips, control ICs, and GaN power switches among others.
Sanken Electric Semiconductors, established in 1946 and headquartered in Saitama-ken, Japan, is a semiconductor manufacturer specializing in power semiconductors. The company serves in the power electronics field offering a wide range of products, including discrete semiconductors, IPMs, power supply ICs, and digitally controlled ICs. The technologies applied by their company enable the development of energy-saving products for global markets. Their semiconductors can be found in various electric equipment and devices, from home appliances to automobiles and industrial equipment. They have about 1,000 employees with 10 distributors and vendors across North America, Europe, and Asia.
ROHM Semiconductor was incorporated in 1940 and is headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. ROHM manufactures and sells electronic components worldwide. ROHM operates through the segments ICs, discrete semiconductor devices, and modules. ROHM provides ICs comprising memory, amplifiers and linear, power management, clocks and timers, switches and multiplexers, logic, data converters, sensors and MEMS, display drivers, motor/actuator drivers, interfaces, communication and speech synthesis LSI, audio and video, and microcontrollers. ROHM also offers discrete semiconductor products include MOSFETs, bipolar transistors, and diodes; power devices, including power transistors and diodes, SiC power devices, IGBT, and IPM; passive devices, such as resistors, and conductive polymer and tantalum capacitors; and various modules among others.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Resources Microelectronics Limited |
15.5%
|
2 | GigaDevice |
10.3%
|
3 | GLOBALFOUNDRIES |
8.6%
|
4 | Microchip Technology Inc. |
8.6%
|
5 | Silicon Laboratories |
6.9%
|
6 | GNS Components Limited |
5.2%
|
7 | Sanken Electric Semiconductors |
5.2%
|
8 | Nuvoton Technology Corporation |
5.2%
|
9 | Holtek Semiconductor Inc. |
3.4%
|
10 | Hongkong Grakey Technology Limited |
3.4%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the mcu page as of November 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 (%) |
---|---|---|
China | 5 | 33.3% |
United States of America | 4 | 26.7% |
Japan | 3 | 20.0% |
Taiwan | 2 | 13.3% |
Netherlands | 1 | 6.7% |
10 products are listed.
Fuji Soft Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Digital Core Design Single Tip 8 -bit incerto Micro controller IP core is available. * There are other model numbers.