The 8bit strikes back

Abstract

The makers of 32bit microcontrollers are looking to steal business away from the 8 and 16bit markets, using more advanced processes to compete on price. But the 8bit makers are trying to fight back by giving their slower cores a helping hand. Prices on 32bit microcontrollers have dropped dramatically over the past few years as vendors try to encourage designers to migrate to their cores from 8 and 16bit architectures that have run out of steam, either in terms of memory or performance. But the 8bit architectures are fighting back, adding specialised coprocessors and accelerators so they can slug it out with higher-spec parts.