With the emergence of the 800MHz Cortex-A7 core-based MCUs, the earlier Cortex-A8 core MCUs are now facing a significant challenge. At the same time clock speed, the Cortex-A7 offers lower power consumption, more advanced manufacturing processes, better quality, and improved cost-performance. This shift is expected to have a major impact on the Cortex-A8 MCU market, leaving users wondering how to make the right choice.
As the microelectronics industry continues to evolve rapidly, the demand for more powerful and feature-rich MCUs has increased. Engineers are now looking for embedded solutions that offer both performance and flexibility. When selecting an MCU, the main factors considered are processing power and peripheral capabilities. In this article, we will compare the Cortex-A7 and Cortex-A8 cores in terms of performance and peripheral features.
Figure 1 shows the release timeline of ARM’s Cortex-A series. As seen, the Cortex-A8 was one of the first processors in the ARMv7-A architecture, launched back in 2005. The Cortex-A7 came later, incorporating improvements from previous generations and offering enhanced performance and functionality.
In terms of performance, the Cortex-A7 represents a significant upgrade over the Cortex-A8. It uses a more advanced 28nm/40nm manufacturing process compared to the 45nm/65nm used in the Cortex-A8. This allows for better power efficiency without sacrificing performance. Additionally, the Cortex-A7 supports features like virtualization, NEON SIMD, and LPAE, which were previously found only in higher-end processors like the Cortex-A15.
Looking at the core architecture, the Cortex-A7 is designed with a focus on energy efficiency while maintaining strong computational capabilities. It is compatible with other Cortex-A processors and offers a balanced approach between performance and power consumption.
For peripheral interfaces, we compared two popular MCUs: the Freescale Cortex-A7 i.MX 6ULL running at 800MHz and a brand-name Cortex-A8 335X. Table 1 highlights the differences in their interface options. The Cortex-A7-based MCU provides more serial ports, faster SD card interfaces, and better overall connectivity, making it ideal for industrial applications that require multiple communication channels.
ZLG Zhiyuan Electronics' M6Y2C is a high-performance industrial control module based on the 800MHz Cortex-A7 processor. It features 8 UARTs, 2 USB OTG ports, 2 CAN-Bus interfaces, and 2 Ethernet ports. With 256MB DDR3 and 256MB NAND Flash, it's built for stability and reliability. The board also includes a hardware watchdog and has passed strict EMC and temperature tests, ensuring reliable operation in harsh environments.
In conclusion, the Cortex-A7 offers a superior combination of low power consumption, advanced manufacturing, rich peripherals, and competitive pricing. As the Cortex-A8 becomes outdated, the Cortex-A7 is set to dominate the embedded market. For new product designs, choosing a Cortex-A7-based MCU is not only future-proof but also cost-effective. This transition is likely to reshape the MCU landscape significantly in the coming years.
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