Uptake of ARM’s Cortex M3 core is behind a growing interest in 32-bit microcontroller designs as users upgrade from low cost 8-bit devices.
Another factor is a realisation that 32-bit operating systems such as Windows CE may no longer be unattractive due to cost and complexity.
"Prices are falling and the 32-bit microcontroller market is jumping and Cortex is the big target architecture," Mike Skrtic, partner manager at compiler firm IAR Systems told EW at the Embedded Systems Show.
According to Skrtic, the ARM Cortex architecture, in particular the embedded application binary interface, has radically simplified the move to 32-bit designs.
"ARM took the initiative and replicated the simplicity of the 8051 programming model with the Cortex ecosystem," said Skrtic.
The success of Cortex chips such as the STM32 from STMicroelectronics and Luminary Micro's 3811 are indicators of the growing interest in 32-bit, said Skrtic.
In the past the move from the familar, easy to use 8051 archietcture to a 32-bit platform with on-chip cache and multiple pipelines was seen as difficult. "The tools were seen as hard to use, but not any more," said Skrtic.
For example, the STM32 has a three-stage pipeline with branch prediction.
See - Silent takeover by the 32-bit MCU.
The additonal design features of 32-bit operating systems such as Windows CE and open source Linux are also factors in the move from 8-bit to 32-bit designs.
"Designers like the connectivity of CE, for example USB drivers come with it, and they decide that the £3 per unit royalty is no longer restrictive," said David Pashley, MD at Windows CE firm Direct Insight.