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1 - Introduction
1.4.2 Choice of microcontroller model
The selected model of microcontroller must meet the requirements in terms of computational
power. It must be able to handle the input-outputs, process the data in the required amount of
time, and have enough memory to store both the program and the data.
An application is made of both hardware and software. So, there is a trade-off between the
processing done by hardware and that done by software. Using dumb peripherals requires
more computational power from the core; using sophisticated peripherals relieves the core
from time-consuming calculations and thus allows a less powerful core to be chosen.
Determining the computational power is a difficult matter since there is no internationally rec-
ognized measurement unit that expresses the speed of a microprocessor or similar device.
Some benchmarks that compare several products in the same application are available from
various sources, but they only give an idea of the relative capability of one product versus an-
other one.
Thus a certain margin must be considered, or there would be a risk that some time in the de-
velopment process that one comes to the conclusion that the selected microcontroller is un-
suitable for the application. This event would have serious consequences, as costly tools may
have been invested to develop the application, not to mention the delay in the product availa-
bility with its commercial consequences.
Also, even if a microcontroller is suited to the product as it is first commercialized, this product
may undergo changes during its commercial life. As a general rule, changes are always addi-
tions, never removals. If the chosen microcontroller matches current needs too closely in
terms of capability, there is a risk that it could prevent the product from evolving to meet future
needs. This could make the product become obsolete sooner than expected.
To summarize, it is difficult to tell in advance whether a microcontroller will fit an application.
As a result, it is current practice to select a model with excess power in order to guarantee suc-
cessful performance initially, and also to allow for product updates.
1.4.3 Choice of development tools
Once the needed power has been determined, one must investigate the development tools
available for the applicable products. The first step is to compare their prices; but this is not the
consideration that will determine the choice.
The real issue is how the tools will help writing the software, test it, and pinpoint its flaws. The
hourly cost of a software engineer, who spends more time on software development because
of the lack of efficiency of the tools, easily outweighs any savings that could have been made
when investing in them.
Development tools include all that is needed to write the program, either in assembly language
or in high level language, then translate it into machine language and load it into the program
Содержание ST7 Series
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