14 8-Bit Microcontroller Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for 8-bit microcontrollers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 14 8-bit microcontroller manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked 8-bit microcontroller companies as of April, 2024: 1.Silicon Laboratories, 2.Analog Devices, Inc., 3.Microchip Technology Inc..
Table of Contents
Categories Related to 8-Bit Microcontrollers
What Is an 8-bit Microcontroller?
An 8-bit microcontroller is a type of microcontroller with a processing bit width limited to 8 bits.
One feature is that outputs can be programmed for a certain input. It is not suitable for high-speed communication, because its processing capability is lower than that of other microcontrollers in general use.
However, it has sufficient performance for very simple programmed operations such as simple lighting on/off. In addition, since they are widely distributed in the market, they are easy to obtain and inexpensive, so they are still used in many familiar electronic devices.
Uses of 8-bit Microcontrollers
8-bit microcontrollers are used to express simple operations inexpensively and easily because of their 8-bit processing bit width. For this reason, countless 8-bit microcontrollers are built into many electronic devices on the market.
For example, 8-bit microcontrollers in refrigerators are responsible for keeping the inside of the refrigerator at a constant temperature and turning on/off the lights when the door is opened/closed. A rice cooker is used to start cooking rice when a switch is pressed and to activate the reserved timer function when it is set.
Principle of 8-bit Microcontrollers
The contents of a microcontroller can be broadly divided into an input section, a processing section, and an output section. The input section receives on/off signals from external switches and other devices. Upon receiving the input, the microcontroller performs processing according to the input signal and outputs the appropriate output.
The advantage of a microcontroller is that the contents of this processing section can be viewed as software and changed later. In a circuit built without a microcontroller, if the data processing part is changed, it is necessary to change the circuit on the actual board. On the other hand, with a microcontroller, this can be done by rewriting the software.
Changing a complex circuit configuration requires a lot of time and effort. However, by having the microcontroller perform conditional branching based on input signals in advance, it can easily handle a large number of board control changes later on.
In addition, the more complex the circuit configuration, the more transistors and other necessary components are required, and the larger the device tends to be. By using a microcontroller, the majority of these components can be integrated, which simultaneously reduces the size of the device.
Composition of 8-bit Microcontrollers
A microcontroller consists of I/O, CPU, ROM, RAM, and peripheral circuit components.
1. I/O
A microcontroller exchanges signals between various external circuits and devices. The most basic mechanism is called general-purpose I/O or GPIO (General Purpose I/O). General-purpose I/O refers to the input/output pins of the microcontroller.
2. CPU
CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. It is a device that executes instructions in a microcontroller. One of the major differences between a personal computer and a microcontroller is the processing power of the CPU. A microcontroller executes fewer instructions per unit of time than a PC.
On the other hand, the advantages of CPUs in microcomputers include low cost and low power consumption.
3. ROM
ROM (Read Only Memory) is referred to as non-volatile memory and has the property of retaining stored data even when the power supply is turned off.
4. RAM
Random Access Memory (RAM) is a read/write memory that stores temporary data such as the results of CPU calculations.
Other Information on 8-bit Microcontrollers
Advantages of 8-bit Microcontrollers
There are many high-performance microcomputers available today. For high-speed and large-volume processing, 32-bit microcontrollers and 64-bit microcontrollers are by far the most capable, and 8-bit microcontrollers cannot compete with them.
Even so, 8-bit microcontrollers are still used because they do not require more complex control logic than necessary when the minimum amount of operation and display control is needed based on information from a small number of sensors and switches. The result is that using 8-bit microcontrollers, which are simple to handle and inexpensive, is more cost-effective.
In the case of a system with multiple functions, there are many cases where multiple microcontrollers are equipped in one system, such as selecting a 32-bit microcontroller for control of video, communication, and other functions, and using 8-bit microcontrollers for other basic operations.
List of 14 8-Bit Microcontroller Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- China
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Taiwan
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Analog Devices, Inc.
8-Bit Microcontroller
Manufacturer Overview
Incorporated in 1965, Analog Devices, Inc. designs, manufactures, tests, and markets integrated circuits (ICs), software, and subsystems that leverage analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing technologies. The company provides data converter products, power management and reference products for power conversion, driver monitoring, sequencing, and energy management applications in the automotive, communications, industrial, and high-end consumer markets. In addition, the company provides digital signal processing and system products for high-speed numeric calculations. It serves clients in the industrial, automotive, consumer, instrumentation, aerospace, and communications markets.
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Microchip Technology Inc.
8-bit AVR Microcontrollers
Manufacturer Overview
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.
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The Western Design Center, Inc.
8–bit Microcontroller
Manufacturer Overview
The Western Design Center, Inc. (WDC), established in 1978 and based in Arizona, USA, is a supplier of microprocessor chips. WDC is a fabless semiconductor company that supplies 65xx brand microprocessor technology to the electronics industry for both big and small devices. Their products are applicable in different uses such as video games, personal computers, electronic publishing, communications, automotive, and medical. The company also provides tools and technology support services to their clients.
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Silicon Laboratories
8-bit Microcontrollers
Manufacturer Overview
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.
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Renesas Electronics Corporation.
Other MCUs & MPUs
Manufacturer Overview
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.
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NXP Semiconductors
8-Bit Legacy MCUs
Manufacturer Overview
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.
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Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage
Microcontrollers
Manufacturer Overview
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.
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Silan Microelectronics
8bit MCU
Manufacturer Overview
Silan Microelectronics Co., Ltd., founded in 1997 in China, is a manufacturer of semiconductor microelectronics-related products for commercial, industrial, and military clients. The company's products include ICs, power modules, discrete devices, MCU/IC power semiconductor solutions, MEMS sensors, and optoelectronic products. Silan Microelectronics Co., Ltd. also specializes in LED chip manufacturing and packaging for indoor and outdoor LED display panels as well as LED illumination applications. The company was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2003.
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Nuvoton Technology Corporation
8bit 8051 MCUs
Manufacturer Overview
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.
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LAPIS Technology
Microcontroller
Manufacturer Overview
LAPIS Technology, founded in Japan, in 2020 is a manufacturer of Microcontroller, Video LSI, and Speech Synthesis LSI. The company's product portfolio includes Wireless LSI, Wireless Charging LSI, Display Driver, Li-ion Battery Monitoring LSI and displays that are used in TV sets, PC monitors, vehicles and industrial monitors. The company serves markets including Automotive and Electric Vehicles, Renewable Energy and Energy Storage and Electronics and IT Infrastructure. The company provides services such as Product Selection Guidance, Engineering Support, and Custom Manufacturing.
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SONiX Technology
Microcontrollers
Manufacturer Overview
SONiX Technology Co., Ltd. (SONiX) is a Taiwan-based manufacturer of video, voice, and USB integrated circuit (IC) controllers founded in 1996. Along with various IC controllers, the company offers products like smart voice and home platforms, optical identification devices, and multimedia network platforms. These products have applications in various industries including the laser and electro-optics, medical, and military markets. SONiX Technology also offers clients custom development, design, and repair services, as well as technical support. The company's other offices and facilities are located in China, Japan, and the United States.
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STMicroelectronics
8-bit MCUs
Manufacturer Overview
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.
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tenx technology, Inc.
8 bit MCU
Manufacturer Overview
tenx Technology Inc., established in 1997 and based in New Taipei City, Taiwan, is a manufacturer of integrated circuits (IC). The company's products are utilized in peripheral controls, personal computers, and communication and consumer applications. As a silicon solution provider that invests on research and development, tenx has offices located in China and Hong Kong. They also provide technical support for their customers as their solutions are also customizable according to client needs.
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Elan Microelectronics
8Bit microcontroller
Distributor Overview
ELAN Microelectronics Corp., established in 1994 and based in Hsinchu, Taiwan, is a supplier of human-machine interfaces such as touchscreen technology. The company has research and development centers all over Taiwan and sales and engineering teams in Hong Kong, China, and USA. ELAN provides advanced controllers and module solutions that are used for electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers. Examples of these produces are touchscreen controllers, touchpad modules, and biometrics.
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8-Bit Microcontroller Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silicon Laboratories |
18.9%
|
| 2 | Analog Devices, Inc. |
18.9%
|
| 3 | Microchip Technology Inc. |
15.1%
|
| 4 | The Western Design Center, Inc. |
15.1%
|
| 5 | NXP Semiconductors |
5.7%
|
| 6 | tenx technology, Inc. |
5.7%
|
| 7 | Elan Microelectronics |
3.8%
|
| 8 | Renesas Electronics Corporation. |
3.8%
|
| 9 | Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage |
3.8%
|
| 10 | SONiX Technology |
1.9%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the 8-bit microcontroller page as of April 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
- Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage: 23,100
- Renesas Electronics Corporation.: 21,017
- LAPIS Technology: 449
Newly Established Company
- LAPIS Technology: 2020 (4 years ago)
- Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage: 2017 (7 years ago)
- Renesas Electronics Corporation.: 2002 (22 years ago)
Company with a History
- NXP Semiconductors: 1891 (133 years ago)
- The Western Design Center, Inc.: 1978 (46 years ago)
- Elan Microelectronics: 1994 (30 years ago)
8-Bit Microcontroller Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of 8-Bit Microcontroller Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
|
4 | 33.3% |
Japan
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3 | 25.0% |
Taiwan
|
3 | 25.0% |
Netherlands
|
1 | 8.3% |
China
|
1 | 8.3% |
