Author: Sonni Lorenz F. Cubero (sonni.cubero@proventusnova.com)

Date: March 13, 2025

About

This document provides an overview of various embedded platforms/systems commonly used in the development of embedded applications in the industry. It covers a wide range of popular processors, microcontrollers, and development boards, highlighting their key features, performance, characteristics, and suitable use cases. By comparing different platforms such as Raspberry Pi, NVIDIA Jetson, ESP32, Arduino, NXP i.MX Series, etc., this document aims to assist in choosing the most appropriate solution based on their project requirements.

Embedded Platforms/Systems Overview

Raspberry Pi

A small low-cost computer the size of a credit card. A Raspberry Pi can be a desktop computer, robotics controller, server, game controller, etc. The Raspberry Pi is an excellent tool for many projects, from basic learning to advanced projects.

Pros

• Affordable
• Versatile operating system
• Very active community
• Easy to learn
• Flexible
• User Imagination

The Raspberry Pi stands out as a cost-effective solution. This makes it an excellent choice for hobbyists, educators, and professionals alike. Its versatility is its key strength, as it can be used for a wide range of applications. The Raspberry Pi community is also another major advantage. A wealth of resources, tutorials, and forums make troubleshooting straightforward.

Cons

• Limited power
• Limited processing power
• Limited RAM
• Limited Storage

Raspberry Pi comes with certain limitations. One of those is their limited power, which can restrict its ability to perform demanding tasks or multiple peripherals. Raspberry Pi also relies on external storage which offers slower speed and limited capacity. Although it is compatible with many open-source applications, some software may not be optimized or supported for the Raspberry Pi.

Applications

• Prototyping
• Automation

Models

• Raspberry Pi 5
• Raspberry Pi 500
• Raspberry Pi Pico
• Raspberry Pi Zero

Specifications

Raspberry Pi Models Comparison

Model	Raspberry Pi 5	Raspberry Pi 500	Raspberry Pi Pico	Raspberry Pi Zero
CPU	2.4 GHz quad-core 64-bit ARM Cortex-A76	2.4 GHz quad-core 64-bit ARM Cortex-A76	133 MHz single-core ARM Cortex-M0+	1 GHz single-core ARM1176JZF-S (Zero 1), 1 GHz quad-core 64-bit ARM Cortex-A53 (Zero 2)
GPU	800 MHz VideoCore VII	800 MHz VideoCore VII	N/A	250 MHz VideoCore IV
APU	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
RAM	2/4/6/16GB LPDDR4x-4267 SDRAM	2/4/6/16GB LPDDR4x-4267 SDRAM	264kB SRAM	512MB LPDDR2 SDRAM
Display	Up to Dual 4Kp60 micro HDMI with HDR support, 4Kp60 HEVC decoder	Up to Dual 4Kp60 micro HDMI with HDR support, 4Kp60 HEVC decoder	N/A	Up to 1080P mini HDMI
Ports	2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, PCIe Port	2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, PCIe Port	Micro-USB GPIO pins	Micro USB On-The-Go (OTG)
Storage options	eMMC, MicroSD Card	eMMC, MicroSD Card	Onboard 2MB flash memory	MicroSD Card
Network	Wi-Fi, BT 5.0, Gigabit Ethernet	Wi-Fi, BT 5.0, Gigabit Ethernet	N/A	Wi-Fi
Power	5V/5A DC power via USB-C	5V/5A DC power via USB-C	5V via Micro-USB	5V via Micro-USB
OS Support	Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu, Apertis, RISC OS, Ultramarine Linux, Alpine Linux, Other custom Linux distros (e.g. Yocto)	Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu, Apertis, RISC OS, Ultramarine Linux, Alpine Linux, Other custom Linux distros (e.g. Yocto)	MicroPython, CircuitPython	Raspberry Pi OS, RISC OS, Alpine Linux, Other custom Linux distros (e.g. Yocto)
Price Range	$50-$120	$120-$150	$4-$7	$5-$15
Documentation and Source Code	Documentation: Raspberry Pi Documentation, Raspberry Pi Hardware Documentation Github: Raspberry Pi	Documentation:Raspberry Pi Documentation, Raspberry Pi Hardware Documentation Github: Raspberry Pi	Documentation: Pico-series Microcontrollers - Raspberry Pi Documentation, Github: Raspberry Pi Pico Examples	Documentation: Raspberry Pi hardware - Raspberry Pi Documentation, Github: dwelch67/raspberrypi-zero: Raspberry Pi Zero baremetal examples(for Zero 1), Qengineering/RPi_64-bit_Zero-2-image: Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W 64-bit OS image with OpenCV, TensorFlow Lite and ncnn Framework.(for Zero 2)

Why is Raspberry Pi Popular?

Raspberry Pi is popular because it is a small, affordable, single-board computer that is easy to use. It is also versatile for a wide range of applications and the community is very active. With its robust hardware capabilities, including support for multiple operating systems, it has become a favorite among professionals and hobby enthusiasts.

NVIDIA Jetson

NVIDIA Jetson is the leading platform for robotics and embedded edge AI applications. A series of embedded computing boards designed specifically for AI and machine learning applications. NVIDIA Jetson offers several models to different needs, from low-power to high-performance applications.

Pros

• Powerful GPU and CPU
• Versatile applications
• Open to Developers
• Wide range of options

One of the key strengths of NVIDIA Jetson is its GPU, designed to accelerate deep learning, computer vision, and AI. This makes it an excellent choice for robotics, IoT, and autonomous systems. It is also supported by popular AI frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and OpenCV. NVIDIA Jetson has rich software support from NVIDIA’s JetPack SDK, which simplifies development and deployment.

Cons

• Expensive
• Limited GPIO
• Can get hot

NVIDIA Jetson tends to be on the more expensive side than other single-board computers. Devices under NVIDIA Jetson can consume more power, which may not be ideal for battery-powered applications or energy-efficient applications. It requires a steep learning curve to set up and work with the hardware and software tools.

Applications

• Robotics
• Edge AI

Models

• Jetson AGX Orin series
• Jetson Orin NX series
• Jetson Orin Nano series
• Jetson AGX Xavier series
• Jetson Xavier NX series
• Jetson TX2 series
• Jetson Nano

Specifications

NVIDIA Jetson Models Comparison

Model	Jetson AGX Orin Series	Jetson Orin NX Series	Jetson Orin Nano Series	Jetson AGX Xavier Series	Jetson Xavier NX Series	Jetson TX2 Series	Jetson Nano
CPU	2.0/2.2 GHz 12-core NVIDIA Arm Cortex A78AE v8.2 64-bit CPU 3MB L2 + 6MB L3	2.0 GHz 8-core NVIDIA Arm Cortex A78AE v8.2 64-bit CPU 2MB L2 + 4MB L3, 2.0 6-core NVIDIA Arm Cortex A78AE v8.2 64-bit CPU 2MB L2 + 4MB L3	1.7 GHz 6-core Arm Cortex-A78AE v8.2 64-bit CPU 1.5MB L2 + 4MB L3	2.0/2.2 GHz 8-core NVIDIA Carmel Armv8.2 64-bit CPU 8MB L2 + 4MB L3	1.9 GHz 6-core NVIDIA Carmel Arm v8.2 64-bit CPU 6MB L2 + 4MB L3	1.95/2.2 GHz Dual-Core NVIDIA Denver 2 64-Bit CPU, 1.92/2 GHz Quad-Core Arm Cortex-A57 MPCore processor	1.43 GHz Quad-Core Arm Cortex-A57 MPCore processor
GPU	200-275 TOPS, NVIDIA Ampere architecture GPU with up to 64 Tensor Cores	117-157 TOPS, NVIDIA Ampere architecture GPU with up to 32 Tensor Cores	34-67 TOPS, NVIDIA Ampere architecture GPU with up to 32 Tensor Cores	30-32 TOPS, NVIDIA Volta architecture GPU with 64 Tensor Cores	21 TOPS 1100 MHz 384-core NVIDIA Volta architecture GPU with 48 Tensor Cores	1.26-1.33 TFLOPS, NVIDIA Pascal architecture GPU	472 GFLOPS 921 MHz 128-core NVIDIA Maxwell architecture GPU
APU	Integrated AI Accelerator (NVIDIA Tensor Cores)	Integrated AI Accelerator (NVIDIA Tensor Cores)	Integrated AI Accelerator (NVIDIA Tensor Cores)	Integrated AI Accelerator (NVIDIA Tensor Cores)	Integrated AI Accelerator (Tensor Cores)	Integrated AI Accelerator (NVIDIA Pascal GPU)	Integrated AI Accelerator (Maxwell GPU)
RAM	32/64GB 256-bit LPDDR5	8/16GB 128-bit LPDDR5	4GB 64-bit LPDDR5, 8GB 128-bit LPDDR5	32/64GB 256-bit LPDDR4x	8/16GB 128-bit LPDDR4x	4/8GB 128-bit LPDDR4	4GB 64-bit LPDDR4
Display	Up to 8K video output, dual 4K	Up to 4K video output	Up to 4K video output	Up to dual 4K video output	Up to 4K video output, Dual 4K displays	Up to 1080p video output	Up to 1080P video output
Ports	3x USB 3.2 Gen2, 4x USB 2.0, 2x PCIe Gen 4	3x USB 3.2 Gen2, 3x USB 2.0, 1x PCIe Gen 4, Gigabit Ethernet	3x USB 3.2 Gen2, 3x USB 2.0, 1x PCIe Gen 4, Gigabit Ethernet	3x USB 3.2 Gen2, 4x USB 2.0, 1x PCIe Gen 3	1x USB3.2 Gen2, 3X USB 2.0	3x USB 3.0, 3x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0, 3x USB 2.0	1x USB 3.0, 3x USB 2.0
Storage options	32/64GB eMMC 5.1, M.2 NVMe	NVMe (supports external NVMe)	NVMe (supports external NVMe)	32/64 GB eMMC 5.1	16GB eMMC 5.1	16/32GB eMMC 5.2	16GB eMMC 5.1
Network	Wi-Fi 6, BT 5.0	Wi-Fi, BT 5.0, Gigabit Ethernet	Wi-Fi, BT 5.0, Gigabit Ethernet	Wi-Fi, BT 5.0, Gigabit Ethernet	Wi-Fi, BT 5.0, Gigabit Ethernet	Wi-Fi, BT 4.2, Gigabit Ethernet	Gigabit Ethernet
Power	15W-75W	10W-40W	10W-30W	20W-40W	10W-20W	7.5W-20W	5W-10W
OS Support	NVIDIA Jetpack SDK, Ubuntu, Other custom Linux distros (e.g. Yocto)	NVIDIA Jetpack SDK, Ubuntu, Other custom Linux distros (e.g. Yocto)	NVIDIA Jetpack SDK, Ubuntu, Other custom Linux distros (e.g. Yocto)	NVIDIA Jetpack SDK, Ubuntu, Other custom Linux distros (e.g. Yocto)	NVIDIA Jetpack SDK, Ubuntu, Other custom Linux distros (e.g. Yocto)	NVIDIA Jetpack SDK, Ubuntu, Other custom Linux distros (e.g. Yocto)	NVIDIA Jetpack SDK, Ubuntu, Other custom Linux distros (e.g. Yocto)
Price Range	$599-$1,100	$199-$399	$99-$199	$699-$899	$399-$599	$300-$600	$59-$99
Documentation and Source Code	Documentation: Documentation: Jetson AGX Orin Developer Kit User Guide	Documentation: Documentation: Jetson Orin NX and Nano Series — Jetson Linux Developer Guide documentation	Documentation: Documentation: Jetson Orin NX and Nano Series — Jetson Linux Developer Guide documentation	Documentation: Documentation: Jetson AGX Xavier Series — Jetson Linux Developer Guide Jetson AGX Xavier Developer Kit	Documentation: Jetson Xavier NX Series — Jetson Linux Developer Guide	Documentation: Jetson TX2 Developer Kit	Documentation: Jetson Nano Developer Kit, Jetson Nano 2GB Developer Kit User Guide

Why is NVIDIA Jetson Popular?

NVIDIA Jetson is popular because it provides high-performance AI computing in a compact, energy-efficient form factor. It is ideal for edge AI and robotics applications. From its entry-level to high-end modules, NVIDIA Jetson scales depending on the project's needs.

ESP32

Low-cost, low-power system-on-chip microcontrollers. A single 2.4 GHz WiFi and Bluetooth combo chip designed with TSMC low-power 40nm technology.

Pros

• Low-cost
• Low-power
• IoT (Internet of Things)

ESP32 is a powerful and versatile microcontroller because of its range of features, making it ideal for a variety of IoT applications. One of its biggest advantages is its low cost and low power consumption. It also has integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, eliminating the need for external modules for wireless connectivity. ESP32 also has a strong developer community with support for ESP-IDF and is also compatible with Arduino IDE, making it great for beginners and experienced developers.

Cons

• Limited GPIO
• Low-power
• High learning curve

While ESP32’s performance is impressive, it may still fall short for resource-intensive tasks like high-end AI or complex video processing. Its lack of built-in storage can be limiting for applications that require large amounts of storage. Its GPIO pin count is also limiting for complex projects that require multiple connections.

Applications

• Simple smart home
• Low-power IoT sensors (ultrasonic, IR, etc.)
• Simple smart agriculture
• Speech & Image recognition (OpenCV)

Models

• ESP32-P series
• ESP32-S series
• ESP32-C series
• ESP32-H series
• ESP8266 series

Specifications

ESP32 Series Comparison

Model	ESP32-P Series	ESP32-S Series	ESP32-C Series	ESP32-H Series	ESP8266 Series
CPU	Up to 240MHz Dual-core 32-bit Xtensa LX6	Up to 240MHz Dual-core 32-bit Xtensa LX6	Up to 160 MHz Single-core 32-bit Xtensa LX6	Up to 160 MHz Single-core 32-bit Xtensa LX6	Up to 160 MHz Single-core 32-bit Xtensa LX6
GPU	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
APU	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
RAM	320KB SRAM up to 512KB SRAM	320KB SRAM up to 512KB SRAM	128KB SRAM up to 192KB SRAM	128KB SRAM up to 192KB SRAM	128KB SRAM up to 192KB SRAM
Display	No direct display support. Can support external display	No direct display support. Can support external display	No direct display support. Can support external display	No direct display support. Can support external display	No direct display support. Can support external display
Ports	1x SPI, 2x I2C, 2x UART, GPIO	1x SPI, 2x I2C, 2x UART, GPIO	1x SPI, 1x I2C, 1x UART, GPIO	1x SPI, 1x I2C, 1x UART, GPIO	1x SPI, 1x I2C, 1x UART, GPIO
Storage options	Up to 16MB external flash	Up to 16MB external flash	Up to 16MB external flash	Up to 16MB external flash	Up to 4MB external flash
Network	Wi-Fi, BT 4.2	Wi-Fi, BT 4.2	Wi-Fi, BT 4.2	Wi-Fi, BT 4.2	Wi-Fi
Power	3.3V low power	3.3V low power	3.3V low power	3.3V low power	3.3V low power
OS Support	ESP-IDF, FreeRTOS, Arduino IDE	ESP-IDF, FreeRTOS, Arduino IDE	ESP-IDF, FreeRTOS, Arduino IDE	ESP-IDF, FreeRTOS, Arduino IDE	FreeRTOS, Arduino IDE
Price Range	$1-$3	$2-$6	$1.50-$5	$1.50-$5	$1-$3
Documentation and Source Code	Documentation: Documentation: ESP-IDF Programming Guide - ESP32 - ESP-IDF Programming Guide v5.4 documentation, ESP SoCs Github: Espressif Systems, espressif/esp-idf: Espressif IoT Development Framework. Official development framework for Espressif SoCs.	Documentation: Documentation: ESP-IDF Programming Guide - ESP32 - ESP-IDF Programming Guide v5.4 documentation, ESP SoCs Github: Espressif Systems, espressif/esp-idf: Espressif IoT Development Framework. Official development framework for Espressif SoCs.	Documentation: Documentation: ESP-IDF Programming Guide - ESP32 - ESP-IDF Programming Guide v5.4 documentation, ESP SoCs Github: Espressif Systems, espressif/esp-idf: Espressif IoT Development Framework. Official development framework for Espressif SoCs.	Documentation: Documentation: ESP-IDF Programming Guide - ESP32 - ESP-IDF Programming Guide v5.4 documentation, ESP SoCs Github: Espressif Systems, espressif/esp-idf: Espressif IoT Development Framework. Official development framework for Espressif SoCs.	Documentation: Documentation: ESP-IDF Programming Guide - ESP32 - ESP-IDF Programming Guide v5.4 documentation, ESP SoCs Github: Espressif Systems, espressif/esp-idf: Espressif IoT Development Framework. Official development framework for Espressif SoCs.

Why is ESP32 popular?

ESP32 is popular because it is cost-effective, has integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, benefits from active community support, and has a well-developed ecosystem. ESP32s are heavily used in industries, especially in IoT. ESP32 offers robust connectivity and performance for a wide range of applications.

Texas Instruments Sitara Processors

Developed by Texas Instruments, featuring ARM9, ARM Cortex-A8, ARM Cortex-A9, ARM Cortex A-15, and ARM Cortex-A53 cores. Supported by the Beagle community as well as TI's open-source development community.

Pros

• Power efficient
• Cost-effective
• Scalability
• Real-time capability

Texas Instruments Sitara Processors offer a wide range of powerful features for embedded and industrial applications. Sitara Processors provide low-power and higher-performance models, making them suitable for battery-operated devices and high-demand industrial systems. They also offer a developer-friendly environment with tools like Code Composer Studio and RTOS support.

Cons

• Limited raw performance
• Complexity
• Limited high-end applications

Sitara processors have challenges related to complexity and cost. Simple applications may offer more performance than necessary, leading to increased power consumption and system cost. The software ecosystem is more specialized compared to platforms like Raspberry Pi or ESP32, making development challenging for those unfamiliar with Code Composer Studio and RTOS. Long-term support for certain models may also be a concern as some projects rely on specific processor families.

Applications

• IoT gateways
• Smart thermostats
• Industrial automation
• HMI

Models

• AM335x
• AM35x
• AM37x
• AM437x
• AM57x
• AM62x
• AM65x

Specifications

Texas Instruments Sitara Processors Comparison

Model	AM335x	AM35x	AM37x	AM437x	AM57x	AM62x	AM65x
CPU	ARM Cortex-A8, up to 1GHz	ARM Cortex-A8, up to 600MHz	ARM Cortex-A8, up to 1GHz	ARM Cortex-A9, up to 1GHz	Dual ARM Cortex-A15, up to 1.5GHz	Quad ARM Cortex-A53, up to 1.4GHz	Dual ARM Cortex-A53, up to 1.1GHz, Real-Time ARM Cortex-R5F
GPU	PowerVR SGX530	N/A	PowerVR SGX530	PowerVR SGX544	PowerVR SGX544MP2	ARM Mali-G52 MP2	N/A
APU	PRU-ICSS	N/A	N/A	PRU-ICSS	Embedded Vision Engine (EVE), DSP C66x	N/A	PRU-ICSSG, Embedded Vision Engine (EVE)
RAM	Up to 1GB DDR2/3L	Up to 256MB DDR2	Up to 512MB DDR2/3L	Up to 1GB DDR3/3L	Up to 4GB DDR3/3L, DDR4	Up to 2GB DDR4	Up to 8GB DDR4
Display	24-bit LCD Controller	24-bit LCD Controller	24-bit LCD Controller	24-bit LCD Controller	24-bit LCD Controller, HDMI	24-bit LCD Controller	24-bit LCD Controller, DP/HDMI
Ports	Up to 2x USB 2.0, Up to 2x Gigabit Ethernet, Up to 2x CAN ports, Up to 6x UARTS, Up to 3x I2C, GPIO	USB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, UART, I2C, GPIO	USB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, UART, I2C, GPIO	Up to 2x USB 2.0, Up to 2x Gigabit Ethernet, Up to 2x CAN ports, Up to 6x UARTS, Up to 3x I2C, GPIO	Up to 2x USB 2.0, Up to 2x USB 3.0, Up to 2x PCIe, Gigabit Ethernet, Up to 2x CAN ports, Up to 3x I2C, GPIO	Up to 2x USB 2.0, Up to 2x USB 3.0, Up to 2x PCIe, Gigabit Ethernet, Up to 2x CAN ports, Up to 3x I2C, GPIO	Up to 2x USB 2.0, Up to 2x USB 3.0, Up to 4x PCIe, Up to 2x Gigabit Ethernet, Up to 2x CAN ports, Up to 3x I2C, GPIO
Storage options	eMMC, SD/SDIO, NAND	NAND, SD	NAND, SD	eMMC, SD/SDIO, NAND	eMMC, SD/SDIO, NAND, SATA	eMMC, SD/SDIO	eMMC, SD/SDIO, NVMe
Network	Ethernet	Ethernet	Ethernet	Ethernet	Gigabit Ethernet	Gigabit Ethernet	Gigabit Ethernet
Power	1.8V/3.3V	1.8V/3.3V	1.8V/3.3V	1.8V/3.3V	1.8V/3.3V	1.8V/3.3V	1.8V/3.3V
OS Support	Linaro, Linux (Yocto), RTOS, Android, Windows Embedded Compact	Linux, Windows CE	Linaro, Linux (Yocto), RTOS, Android, Windows Embedded Compact	Linaro, Linux (Yocto), RTOS, Android, Windows Embedded Compact	Linux (Yocto), RTOS, Android	Linux (Yocto), Android	Linux (Yocto), QNX, Android
Price Range	$5-$20	$10-$25	$15-$30	$10-$25	$50-$150	$25-$60	$70-$200
Documentation and Source Code	Documentation: AM335x Sitara™ Processors datasheet (Rev. L), SDK: PROCESSOR-SDK-AM335X Software development kit (SDK)	Documentation: AM35x ARM Microprocessor Technical Reference Manual (Rev. C), SDK: LINUXEZSDK-AM35X Software development kit (SDK)	Documentation: AM3703 Sitara ARM Microprocessors datasheet (Rev. F), SDK: LINUXEZSDK-AM37X Software development kit (SDK)	Documentation: AM437x Sitara™ Processors datasheet (Rev. E), SDK: PROCESSOR-SDK-AM437X Software development kit (SDK)	Documentation: sprt689a.pdf, SDK: PROCESSOR-SDK-AM57X Software development kit (SDK)	Documentation: AM62x Sitara™ Processors datasheet (Rev. B), SDK: PROCESSOR-SDK-AM62X Software development kit (SDK)	Documentation: AM65x/DRA80xM Processors Technical Reference Manual (Rev. E), SDK: PROCESSOR-SDK-AM65X Software development kit (SDK)

Why are Texas Instruments Sitara Processors popular?

Texas Instruments Sitara Processors are popular due to their reliability, cost-effectiveness, and scalable processing power. They excel in integrating key peripherals such as Ethernet, CAN, and industrial interfaces.

Qualcomm Snapdragon

It is a system-on-chip (SoC) that powers a variety of devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. They are designed to be fast, intelligent, and secure, with features like multi-core CPUs, GPUs, and digital signal processors.

Pros

• Performance
• Power Efficiency
• Connectivity

Qualcomm Snapdragon processors are known for their high performance, versatility, and extensive use in mobile and embedded systems. Its processors are used in a wide range of applications, thanks to the combination of ARM Cortex cores, DSP, and AI. Snapdragon processors come with Wi-Fi, LTE, and 5G, which is great for IoT and edge computing. Its community is also well-established with Android and Linux SDKs.

Cons

• Fragmentation
• Software Compatibility
• Overheating

Snapdragon processors tend to be power-hungry, making them less suitable for low-power applications. They may be overkill for simpler applications. Snapdragon processors are generally more expensive than other microcontrollers. The processors are optimized for high-speed and multimedia applications, they may not perform well for real-time applications.

Applications

• Mobile devices
• Multimedia
• IoT

Models

• Snapdragon 8 Series
• Snapdragon 7 Series
• Snapdragon 6 Series
• Snapdragon 4 Series
• Snapdragon 2 Series

Specifications

Qualcomm Snapdragon Processors Comparison

Model	Snapdragon 2 Series	Snapdragon 4 Series	Snapdragon 6 Series	Snapdragon 7 Series	Snapdragon 8 Series
CPU	ARM Cortex-A53, up to 1.3GHz, Quad-core	Kryo 460, up to 2.0GHz, Octa-core	Kryo 660, up to 2.4GHz, Octa-core	Kryo 770, up to 2.4GHz, Octa-core	Kryo 780, up to 3.2GHz, Octa-core
GPU	Adreno 304	Adreno 610	Adreno 642L	Adreno 642L	Adreno 730
APU	Basic AI features supported through CPU/GPU	Qualcomm AI Engine, up to 2 TOPS	Qualcomm AI Engine, up to 12 TOPS	Qualcomm AI Engine, up to 12 TOPS	Qualcomm AI Engine, up to 27 TOPS
RAM	Up to 3GB LPDDR3	Up to 6GB LPDDR4x	Up to 12GB LPDDR4X/LPDDR5	Up to 16GB LPDDR5	Up to 18GB LPDDR5x
Display	720p HD @ 60Hz	1080p FHD @ 60Hz	1440p QHD @ 120Hz	1440p QHD+ @ 120Hz	4K UHD/1440p QHD+ @ 144Hz
Ports	USB 2.0	USB 3.1	USB 3.1	USB 3.1	USB 3.2
Storage Options	eMMC 5.1	UFS 2.1	eMMC 5.1, UFS 2.2	UFS 3.1	UFS 4.0
Network	LTE Cat 4	Wi-Fi 5, LTE Cat 15, 4G+ Mobile	Wi-Fi 6, mmWave, 5G Mobile	Wi-Fi 6, mmWave, 5G Mobile	Wi-Fi 7, mmWave, 5G Mobile
Power	3.3V, low power	3.3V	3.3V	3.3V	3.3V
OS Support	Android 10	Android 11, Android 12	Android 12, Android 13	Android 12, Android 13	Android 12, Android 13
Price Range	$5-$15	$20-$60	$80-$150	$250-$450	$500-$1,200
Documentation and Source Code	Documentation: Qualcomm 2 Series Mobile Platforms Github: Snapdragon Studios Source Code: Snapdragon Telematics Application Framework (TelAF) User Guide	Documentation: Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 Mobile Platform, Product Brief Github: Snapdragon Studios Source Code: Snapdragon Telematics Application Framework (TelAF) User Guide	Documentation: Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 Product Brief, Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 Mobile Platform, Product Brief Github: Snapdragon Studios Source Code: Snapdragon Telematics Application Framework (TelAF) User Guide	Documentation: Snapdragon-7-Gen-1-Product-Brief.pdf, Snapdragon 7 Series Mobile Platforms Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Mobile Platform, Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 Mobile Platform Github: Snapdragon Studios, Snapdragon Studios	Documentation: Snapdragon 8 Series Mobile Platforms, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform Github: Snapdragon Studios, Snapdragon Studios

Why is Qualcomm Snapdragon Popular?

Qualcomm Snapdragon is popular because it consistently delivers high performance, making it a reliable choice for a wide range of devices, from flagship smartphones to wearables and edge computing platforms. Snapdragon combines high-performance CPUs, GPUs, AI, and modems, enabling seamless multitasking, powerful graphics, and lightning-fast connectivity.

Intel Atom Processors

Intel Atom Processors are core processors commonly used in hardware platforms. They are designed to reduce electric consumption and power dissipation.

Pros

• Low power consumption
• Affordable price
• Compact

Intel Atom Processors are designed for low-power consumption while providing sufficient power for embedded systems. Their use of x86 architecture ensures compatibility with a wide variety of software. This allows easy integration with existing applications, especially those that rely on Intel development tools. These processors are also suitable for media streaming, edge AI, and industrial automation. They also have Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Bluetooth capabilities.

Cons

• Limited Graphics Performance
• Limited Performance
• Low clock speeds
• Compatibility Issues

While Intel Atom Processors are energy-efficient, they may not be as power-efficient as ARM-based processors like the ESP32 or Snapdragon. These processors tend to have lower overall performance compared to more powerful x86 processors and may struggle with complex AI applications or high-resolution video processing.

Although Intel Atom processors offer compatibility, it can also lead to higher heat output, requiring advanced cooling systems in compact closed environments. The development tools for Intel Atom processors may require specialized expertise, especially when working with Intel SDKs and Linux-based or Windows-based OS.

Application

• Mobile
• Embedded
• IoT Applications
• Infotainment (cars)

Models

• Intel Atom X7000E Series
• Intel Atom X7000RE Series
• Intel Atom X7000C Series
• Intel Atom N-Series
• Intel Atom P-Series
• Intel Atom C-Series

Specifications

Intel Atom Processor Specifications

Model	Intel Atom X7000E Series	Intel Atom X7000RE Series	Intel Atom X7000C Series	Intel Atom N-Series	Intel Atom P-Series	Intel Atom C-Series
CPU	Up to 4 E-cores	Up to 8 Cores	Up to 8 Cores	Up to 2 cores with Hyper-Threading	Up to 8 cores with Hyper-Threading	Up to 16 cores with Hyper-Threading
GPU	Intel UHD Graphics	Intel UHD Graphics	Intel UHD Graphics	Integrated Graphics	Intel UHD Graphics	Intel UHD Graphics
APU	Intel Deep Learning Boost	Intel Deep Learning Boost	Intel Deep Learning Boost	Basic AI handled by CPU and GPU	Intel Deep Learning Boost	Intel Deep Learning Boost
RAM	Up to 16GB DDR/LPDDR4x	Up to 16GB DDR/LPDDR4x	Up to 16GB DDR/LPDDR4x	Up to 4GB DDR3	Up to 64GB DDR4	Up to 256GB DDR4 ECC
Display	Up to 4K @ 60Hz HDR	Up to 4K @ 60Hz HDR	Up to 4K @ 60Hz HDR	FHD	Up to 4K @ 60Hz	Up to 4K @ 60Hz HDR
Ports	USB-C, PCIe	USB-C, PCIe	USB-C, PCIe	USB 2.0	USB 3.2, PCIe	USB 3.2, PCIe
Storage Options	eMMC, SD, NVMe	eMMC, SD, NVMe	eMMC, SD, NVMe	eMMC, SATA	eMMC, NVMe, SATA	eMMC, NVMe, SATA
Network	Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit Ethernet	Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit Ethernet	Wi-Fi 6/6E, Gigabit Ethernet	Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5, Ethernet Gigabit	Wi-Fi 6/6E, Gigabit Ethernet	Wi-Fi 6E, Gigabit Ethernet
Power	6W-15W	6W-15W	6W-15W	3.5W-7W	10W-20W	15W-35W
OS Support	Ubuntu, Linux (Yocto), Windows 10/11	Ubuntu, Linux (Yocto), Windows 10/11	Ubuntu, Linux (Yocto), Windows 10/11	Linux, Windows 7/10	Ubuntu, Linux (Yocto), Windows 10/11	Ubuntu, Linux (Yocto), Windows 10/11
Price Range	$30-$60	$50-$90	$40-$80	$20-$40	$50-$100	$100-$250
Documentation and Source Code	Documentation: Intel Atom X7000E Series Overview, Intel Atom® x7000E Series Product Brief SDK: Developer Kits with Intel Atom® x7000E Processors	Documentation: Intel Atom X7000RE Series Overview, Intel Atom® Processors x7000RE Series Product Brief	Documentation: Intel Atom X7000C Series Overview, Intel Atom® x7000C Processors Series Product Brief	Documentation: Intel Atom N2600 Overview	Documentation: Intel Atom P-Series Overview, Intel Atom® P5900 Processors for 5G Network Edge Acceleration	Documentation: Intel Atom C-Series Overview, Product Brief: Intel Atom® C3000 Processor

Why is Intel Atom Processors Popular?

Intel Atom Processors are popular because of their low power consumption. They are ideal for small, portable devices and embedded systems. They offer a good balance between performance and power usage. Additionally, Intel’s reputation makes Atom processors a dependable choice for developers and manufacturers.

Microchip PIC Microcontrollers

Microchip PIC Microcontrollers consist of scalable 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit microcontrollers and Digital Signal Controllers.

Pros

• Cheap, Budget friendly
• Low power
• Documentation

Widely recognized for their low power consumption and affordability, Microchip PIC Microcontrollers are the ideal choice for a variety of embedded systems, particularly in battery-powered devices and simple consumer electronics. These microcontrollers offer user-friendly development environments due to MPLAB X IDE and Microchip Studio, which streamline the design and prototyping process. Microchip PIC Microcontrollers are also well supported by a rich ecosystem of tools, libraries, and applications.

Cons

• Not enough computational power
• Not beginner friendly

The microcontroller's processing power is limited compared to other more advanced microcontrollers such as the Arm Cortex-M Series. This makes them unsuitable for high computational tasks, such as AI or multimedia processing. They also lack built-in wireless connectivity, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and have relatively small RAM and storage capabilities. Microchip PIC Microcontrollers are less equipped for more advanced applications like high-speed processing, graphics, or real-time systems.

Applications

• Automotive
• Industrial
• Home automation

Models

• 8-bit MCUs
• 16-bit MCUs
• 32-bit MCUs
• Digital Signal Controllers
• Wireless MCUs

Specifications

Microchip PIC Microcontroller and Digital Signal Controller Specifications

Model	Microchip PIC 8-bit MCU	Microchip PIC 16-bit MCU	Microchip PIC 32-bit MCU	Microchip PIC Digital Signal Controllers	Microchip PIC Wireless MCU
CPU	8-bit PIC core	16-bit PIC24 core	32-bit PIC32 core	dsPIC core with digital signal processing	32-bit PIC32 core with integrated wireless
GPU	N/A	N/A	Optional integrated GPU in select models	N/A	Optional Integrated GPU
APU	N/A	Basic signal processing capabilities	Advanced signal processing	Advanced signal processing	Integrated wireless processing cores
RAM	Up to 2KB	Up to 32KB	Up to 512KB	Up to 64KB	Up to 512KB
Display	Basic LCD display	Basic LCD display	TFT and advanced displays	LCD support	TFT and advanced displays
Ports	UART, SPI, I2C, GPIO	UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, GPIO	USB, PCIe, SPI, I2C	UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, GPIO	USB, SPI, I2C
Storage Options	Internal Flash, EEPROM	Internal Flash, EEPROM	Internal Flash, SD, NAND	Internal Flash, EEPROM	Internal Flash, SD, NAND
Network	N/A	N/A	Wi-Fi, Ethernet	Ethernet	Wi-Fi, Zigbee, LoRa
Power	0.03W-0.1W Ultra-low power	0.1W-0.5W Low power	0.5W-2W Low to Moderate Power	0.2W-1W Low power	0.05W-0.5W Ultra-low power
OS Support	Bare-metal	Bare-metal, FreeRTOS	FreeRTOS, Zephyr	FreeRTOS, Zephyr	FreeRTOS, Zephyr, Harmony
Price Range	$0.5-$3	$2-$10	$5-$20	$5-$15	$5-$25
Documentation and Source Code	Documentation: 30009630m.pdf SDK: Start Developing With 8-bit PIC® and AVR® MCUs, Libraries, Code Examples and More	Documentation: 16-bit Microcontrollers SDK: Developing With the 16-bit PIC24F MCU, Software Development for 16-bit PIC® MCUs - Developer Help	Documentation: PIC32 Family of 32-bit Microcontrollers SDK: PIC32 STARTER KIT,	Documentation: Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) SDK: Libraries, Code Examples and More	Documentation: Wireless Microcontrollers GitHub: Microchip MPLAB Harmony, Microchip-MPLAB-Harmony/wireless_pic32cxbz_wbz

Why is Microchip PIC Microcontrollers Popular?

Microchip PIC Microcontrollers are popular because of their low cost, wide availability, and extensive design support from Microchip. They offer a variety of models that are well suited for everything from simple DIY projects to complex industrial systems. Microchip’s product availability and support network make PIC microcontrollers a trusted system for beginners and professionals.

STMicroelectronics STM32 Series

Based on the Arm Cortex-M processor. It offers products combining very high performance, real-time capabilities, digital signal processing, low-power operation, and connectivity, while maintaining full integration and ease of development.

Pros

• High Performance
• Wide range of peripherals
• Low power consumption
• Cost-effective

One of STMicroelectronics STM32 series' pros is their processing power, from Arm Cortex-M0 to Cortex-M7 cores. They offer scalability for both simple and complex tasks. They also have good support for development with tools like STM32Cube and libraries like HAL, which simplify the development process. They support a wide array of peripherals such as SPI, I2C, UART, PWM, and CAN. Some models also have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, reducing the need for external modules.

Cons

• Complexity
• Learning Curve
• Different Pinout variations

While STMicroelectronics STM32 Series are generally affordable, they are still more expensive than other simpler microcontrollers. Beginners may find the development process more complex, especially when dealing with higher-end STM32 models. They are not well suited for high-level processing like AI, GPU-based graphics, or video processing.

Applications

• Industrial
• Automotive
• IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things)
• Communications Equipment

Models

• STM32F/H Series (High Performance)
• STM32G/C/F Series (Mainstream)
• STM32L/U Series (Ultra-low power)
• STM32W Series (Wireless)

Specifications

STM32 Series Specifications

Model	STM32F/H Series	STM32G/C/F Series	STM32L/U Series	STM32W Series
CPU	Arm Cortex-M3/M4/M7/M33	Arm Cortex-M4/M33	Arm Cortex-M0+/M3/M33	Arm Cortex-M4/M33
GPU	N/A	N/A	N/A	Optional Integrated Graphics Controller
APU	Basic DSP capabilities	Enhanced DSP	N/A	Integrated RF processing for wireless
RAM	Up to 1MB	Up to 512KB	Up to 192KB	Up to 256KB
Display	TFT LCD Controller	TFT LCD	N/A	TFT LCD Up Controller
Ports	UART, I2C, SPI, USB, CAN, GPIO	UART, I2C, SPI, USB, CAN, GPIO	UART, I2C, SPI, USB, GPIO	UART, I2C, SPI, USB, CAN, GPIO
Storage Options	Up to 2MB Internal Flash, External QSPI	Up to 1MB Internal Flash, External QSPI	Up to 1MB Internal Flash	Up to 2MB Internal Flash, External QSPI
Network	Ethernet	CAN, USB	USB	Zigbee
Power	0.08W-2W	0.5W-1.5W	0.1W-0.8W	0.6W-1.2W
OS Support	FreeRTOS, Zephyr, Mbed OS	FreeRTOS, Zephyr, Mbed OS	FreeRTOS, Zephyr, Mbed OS	FreeRTOS, Zephyr, Mbed OS
Price Range	$3-$20	$2-$12	$1.50-$10	$3-$15
Documentation and Source Code	Documentation: STM32 Microcontrollers (MCUs) - STMicroelectronics SDK: STM32Cube MCU: List of Embedded software components - STMicroelectronics GitHub: STMicroelectronics	Documentation: STM32 Microcontrollers (MCUs) - STMicroelectronics SDK: STM32Cube MCU: List of Embedded software components - STMicroelectronics GitHub: STMicroelectronics	Documentation: STM32 Microcontrollers (MCUs) - STMicroelectronics SDK: STM32Cube MCU: List of Embedded software components - STMicroelectronics GitHub: STMicroelectronics	Documentation: STM32 Microcontrollers (MCUs) - STMicroelectronics SDK: STM32Cube MCU: List of Embedded software components - STMicroelectronics GitHub: STMicroelectronics

Why is STMicroelectronics STM32 Series popular?

STMicroelectronics STM32 Series is popular because it is suitable for a wide range of applications and offers high performance and developer-friendly features. With Arm Cortex cores, STM32 microcontrollers deliver excellent performance, energy efficiency, and peripheral integration. The STM32 ecosystem is supported by comprehensive development tools, such as STM32Cube software.

Renesas RX Family

Built around advanced CPU cores packed with innovations unique to Renesas.

Pros

• High performance
• Low power consumption
• Wide range applications

Renesas RX Family uses 32-bit RX cores, which deliver strong computational power and support for complex applications. They are also integrated with peripherals such as CAN, SPI, I2C, PWM, and ADC. Renesas RX has a robust ecosystem of development tools, such as e2 Studio and Renesas Synergy, for easy integration and fast development cycles.

Cons

• Proprietary architecture
• Steep learning curve
• Not ideal for AI or multimedia

While Renesas RX offers strong performance, it may not match the processing power of more advanced microcontrollers or processors, such as Arm Cortex-M, Snapdragon, or NVIDIA Jetson. It may have a steep learning curve for beginners, especially when compared to Arduino. There are also fewer libraries and less community support. While Renesas RX may be suitable for embedded systems, it may not be the best choice for AI, GPU acceleration, or complex video analytics, which demand more specialized hardware.

Applications

• Industrial
• Automation
• Communication

Models

• RX700
• RX600
• RX200
• RX100

Specifications

Renesas RX Family Specifications

Model	RX700	RX600	RX200	RX100
CPU	Up to 240 MHz 32-bit RXv3 core	Up to 120MHz 32-bit RXv2 core	Up to 54MHz 32-bit RXv2 core	Up to 32MHz 32-bit RXv2 core
GPU	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
APU	Advanced signal processing and control	Advanced signal processing and control	Advanced signal processing and control	Advanced signal processing and control
RAM	Up to 128MB SRAM	Up to 128MB SRAM	Up to 32MB SRAM	Up to 16MB SRAM
Display	Support high-resolution displays	Graphical LCD	Basic LCD	Basic LCD
Ports	UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, USB	UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, USB	UART, SPI, I2C, USB	UART, SPI, I2C, USB
Storage Options	Internal Flash up to 16MB, External QSPI	Internal Flash up to 4MB, External QSPI	Internal Flash up to 2MB, External QSPI	Internal Flash up to 1MB, External QSPI
Network	Ethernet	Ethernet	N/A	N/A
Power	0.5W-2W	0.3W-1.5W	0.2W-1W	0.1W-0.5W
OS Support	FreeRTOS, RX V3 SDK, embOS	FreeRTOS, RX V2 SDK, embOS	FreeRTOS, RX 23 SDK, embOS	FreeRTOS, RX V2 SDK, embOS
Price Range	$10-$50	$5-$20	$2-$10	$1-$5
Documentation and Source Code	Documentation: Renesas RX700, RX600 MCU Series SDK: C/C++ Compiler Package for RX Family [CC-RX | Renesas] GitHub: RX MCUs team	Documentation: Renesas RX700, RX600 MCU Series SDK: C/C++ Compiler Package for RX Family [CC-RX | Renesas] GitHub: RX MCUs team	Documentation: Renesas RX200 MCU Series SDK: C/C++ Compiler Package for RX Family [CC-RX | Renesas] GitHub: RX MCUs team	Documentation: Renesas RX100 MCU Series SDK: C/C++ Compiler Package for RX Family [CC-RX | Renesas] GitHub: RX MCUs team

Why is Renesas RX popular?

Renesas RX is popular because it is reliable, secure, and efficient. Using RX CPU cores, these microcontrollers deliver excellent performance and real-time capabilities. Developers benefit from tools like the e² studio IDE, code generation utilities, and extensive libraries.

Arm Cortex-M Series

Optimized for cost and energy-efficient microcontrollers.

Pros

• Low power consumption
• Compact
• Cost-effective
• Multiprocessing

Arm Cortex-M Series is widely used for its scalability, low power, and strong performance. They offer a range of cores from Cortex-M0 to Cortex-M7. The low power consumption makes it highly suitable for battery-operated devices, with advanced power management features that extend battery life. They also have robust development tools, libraries, and community support, which makes development and integration with peripheral devices easier.

Cons

• Low performance
• Limited software capability

While the Arm Cortex-M Series offers solid performance, they are still limited compared to higher-end Arm Cortex-A processors or other specialized computing platforms such as NVIDIA Jetson or Qualcomm Snapdragon. Some advanced features such as RTOS or multi-core support may require more complex development and can be overkill for simple applications. The development process can be complex, especially for users unfamiliar with embedded systems or real-time applications, making it less beginner-friendly.

Applications

• IoT
• Industrial
• Automotive

Models

• Cortex-M0
• Cortex-M0+
• Cortex-M1
• Cortex-M23
• Cortex-M3
• Cortex-M4
• Cortex-M33
• Cortex-M35P
• Cortex-M55
• Cortex-M7

Specifications

Arm Cortex-M Series Specifications

Model	Cortex-M0	Cortex-M0+	Cortex-M1	Cortex-M23
CPU	Armv6-M up to 50 MHz	Armv6-M up to 50 MHz	Armv6-M up to 50 MHz	Armv6-M up to 50 MHz
GPU	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
APU	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
RAM	Up to 1 MB	Up to 1 MB	Up to 1 MB	Up to 1 MB
Display	External via SPI/I2C	External via SPI/I2C	External via SPI/I2C	External via SPI/I2C
Ports	SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO	SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO	SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO	SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO
Storage Options	Up to 256KB Flash memory, SD, SPI-based NOR	Up to 256KB Flash memory, SD, SPI-based NOR	Up to 256KB Flash memory, SD, SPI-based NOR	Up to 256KB Flash memory, SD, SPI-based NOR
Network	External modules, SPI, I2C	External modules, SPI, I2C	External modules, SPI, I2C	External modules, SPI, I2C
Power	Approx 0.00005W	Approx 0.00005W	Approx 0.00005W	Approx 0.00005W
OS Support	FreeRTOS, Zephyr	FreeRTOS, Zephyr	FreeRTOS, Zephyr	FreeRTOS, Zephyr
Price Range	$1	$1	$1	$1
Documentation and Source code	Documentation: Documentation Github: CMSIS_5 GitHub	Documentation: Cortex-M0+ Technical Reference Manual Github: CMSIS_5 GitHub	Documentation: Cortex-M1 Technical Reference Manual Github: CMSIS_5 GitHub	Documentation: Cortex-M23 Processor Technical Reference Manual Github: CMSIS_5 GitHub

Arm Cortex-M Series Specifications (Advanced Models)

Model	Cortex-M3	Cortex-M4	Cortex-M33	Cortex-M35P
CPU	Armv7-M up to 120 MHz	Armv7-M up to 120 MHz	Armv8-M up to 200 MHz	Armv8-M up to 200 MHz
GPU	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
APU	N/A	Optional DSP	Optional DSP and TrustZone	Optional DSP and TrustZone
RAM	Up to 64MB	Up to 64MB	Up to 128MB	Up to 128MB
Display	External via SPI/I2C	External via SPI/I2C	External via SPI/I2C	External via SPI/I2C
Ports	SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO	SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO	SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO	SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO
Storage Options	Up to 1MB Flash Memory, SD, NAND, NOR	Up to 1MB Flash Memory, SD, NAND, NOR	Up to 1MB Flash Memory, SD, NAND, NOR	Up to 1MB Flash Memory, SD, NAND, NOR
Network	External Modules, SPI, I2C	External Modules, SPI, I2C	External Modules, SPI, I2C	External Modules, SPI, I2C
Power	Approx. 0.001 W	Approx. 0.001 W	Approx. 0.0015 W	Approx. 0.0015 W
OS Support	FreeRTOS, Zephyr	FreeRTOS, Zephyr	FreeRTOS, Zephyr	FreeRTOS, Zephyr
Price Range	$1-$3	$1-$5	$1-$5	$2-$6
Documentation and Source code	Documentation: Cortex-M3 Technical Reference Manual Github: CMSIS_5 GitHub	Documentation: Cortex-M4 Technical Reference Manual Github: CMSIS_5 GitHub	Documentation: Arm Cortex-M33 Processor Technical Reference Manual Github: CMSIS_5 GitHub	Documentation: Cortex-M35P Github: CMSIS_5 GitHub

Arm Cortex-M Series Specifications (High-Performance Models)

Model	Cortex-M55	Cortex-M7
CPU	Armv8.1-M up to 250 MHz	Armv7E-M up to 600 MHz
GPU	N/A	N/A
APU	Optional Helium vector processing	Optional DSP
RAM	Up to 256MB	Up to 512MB
Display	External via SPI/I2C	External via SPI/I2C
Ports	SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO	SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO
Storage Options	Up to 2MB Flash memory, SD, NAND, NOR	Up to 2MB Flash memory, SD, NAND, NOR
Network	External Modules, SPI, I2C	External Modules, SPI, I2C
Power	Approx. 0.002 W	Approx. 0.003 W
OS Support	FreeRTOS, Zephyr	FreeRTOS, Zephyr
Price Range	$2-$10	$5-$20
Documentation and Source code	Documentation: Arm Cortex-M55 Processor Technical Reference Manual Github: CMSIS_5 GitHub	Documentation: Arm Cortex-M7 Processor Technical Reference Manual r1p2 Github: CMSIS_5 GitHub

Why is Arm Cortex-M Series Popular?

The Arm Cortex-M Series is popular because of its excellent balance of low power consumption, high performance, scalability, integrated peripherals, and vast development tools and software support. The series ranges from the cost-effective Cortex-M0 to the high-performance Cortex-M7.

Arduino

An open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Low cost
• Open source
• Free software

Arduino is known for its ease of use and strong community support, making it ideal for beginners and hobbyists because of its user-friendly development tool, the Arduino IDE. It also supports a variety of microcontroller boards, including AVR, ARM, and ESP32. Arduino has a large community that provides ample tutorials, libraries, and forums, making it easy to find support and resources.

Cons

• Limited processing power
• Limited Communication
• Limited Security

Older boards like the Arduino Uno have limited processing power and memory, making it difficult for applications like AI or machine learning. Arduino boards are great for simple tasks and prototypes, but more advanced users may find the lack of features and processing power a blocker for larger and more demanding applications. Its power consumption is also relatively high compared to ESP32 or Arm Cortex-M series processors.

Applications

• Home automation
• Projects/Thesis

Models

• Arduino Nano
• Arduino MKR
• Arduino UNO Series
• Arduino Micro
• Arduino Zero
• Arduino Mega Series

Specifications

Arduino Specifications

Model	Arduino Nano	Arduino MKR	Arduino UNO Series	Arduino Micro	Arduino Zero	Arduino Mega
CPU	ATMega328P 16MHz	SAMD21 Cortex-M0+ 48MHz	ATMega328P 16MHz	ATMega32U4 16MHz	SAMD21 Cortex-M0+ 48MHz	ATmega2560 16MHz
GPU	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
APU	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
RAM	2KB SRAM	32KB SRAM	2KB SRAM	2.5KB SRAM	32KB SRAM	8KB SRAM
Display	External via SPI/I2C/UART	External via SPI/I2C/UART	External via SPI/I2C/UART	External via SPI/I2C/UART	External via SPI/I2C/UART	External via SPI/I2C/UART
Ports	Digital GPIO (6 PWM, 8 Analog)	Digital GPIO (4 PWM, 7 Analog)	Digital GPIO (6 PWM, 6 Analog)	Digital GPIO (7 PWM, 12 Analog)	Digital GPIO (12 PWM, 6 Analog)	Digital GPIO (16 PWM, 16 Analog)
Storage Options	32 KB Flash Memory	256 KB Flash Memory	32 KB Flash Memory	32 KB Flash Memory	256 KB Flash Memory	256 KB Flash Memory
Network	N/A	Wi-Fi, Ethernet	N/A	N/A	External via compatible shields	External via compatible shields
Power	19mW	75mW	25mW	25mW	75mW	25mW
OS Support	Windows, Linux, macOS	Windows, Linux, macOS	Windows, Linux, macOS	Windows, Linux, macOS	Windows, Linux, macOS	Windows, Linux, macOS
Price Range	$8-$12	$15-$30	$20-$30	$20-$25	$20-$25	$35-$50
Documentation and Source Code	Documentation: Arduino Nano Source Code(s): Arduino Project Hub GitHub: Arduino Libraries	Documentation: Arduino MKR Family Source Code(s): Arduino Project Hub GitHub: Arduino Libraries	Documentation: Getting Started with Arduino UNO Source Code(s): Arduino Project Hub GitHub: Arduino Libraries	Documentation: Arduino Micro Source Code(s): Arduino Project Hub GitHub: Arduino Libraries	Documentation: Arduino Zero Source Code(s): Arduino Project Hub GitHub: Arduino Libraries	Documentation: Arduino Mega 2560 Source Code(s): Arduino Project Hub GitHub: Arduino Libraries

Why is Arduino popular?

Arduino is popular because of its open-source electronics platform that is easy to use and has a large community of users. It has an easy-to-use, user-friendly IDE. It is affordable and has a broad range of compatible components, making it a leader in DIY electronics, education, and rapid prototyping.

NXP i.MX Series

A family of NXP proprietary microprocessors dedicated to multimedia applications based on the ARM architecture.

Pros

• Security
• Energy efficient
• SoC devices

The NXP i.MX Series offers performance versatility, with different models targeting various market segments. They come with Arm Cortex-A series cores, GPU, and DSP for enhanced performance in multimedia and machine learning. They also include wireless options, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and 5G in some models. The NXP i.MX series also supports a wide development ecosystem, including Yocto and Linux SDKs, for custom applications.

Cons

• LPDDR4 devices
• Cost

In more advanced models of the NXP i.MX series, relatively high power consumption may not be suitable for ultra-low power devices. It may be overkill for simpler tasks. It has a high learning curve for beginners compared to more straightforward platforms like Arduino or Raspberry Pi. Its price also tends to be on the higher side, making them less suitable for cost-sensitive projects.

Applications

• Industrial IoT
• Multimedia

Models

• i.MX RT Series
• i.MX 9 Series
• i.MX 8 Series
• i.MX 7 Series
• i.MX 6 Series
• i.MX 28 Series

Specifications

NXP i.MX Series Specifications

Model	i.MX RT Series	i.MX 9 Series	i.MX 8 Series	i.MX 7 Series	i.MX 6 Series	i.MX 28 Series
CPU	Arm Cortex-M7/M33 up to 1 GHz	Arm Cortex-A55/A32 up to 2.2 GHz	Arm Cortex-A72/A53 up to 1.8 GHz	Arm Cortex-A7 up to 1 GHz	Arm Cortex-A9, up to single to quad-core, up to 1.2 GHz	Arm926EJ-S, up to 454 MHz
GPU	N/A	Vivante GC7000UL, Vulkan	Vivante GC7000XS, OpenGL ES, Vulkan	N/A	Vivante GC880/GC2000 OpenGL ES 2.0	N/A
APU	N/A	Neural Processing Unit (NPU)	Integrated DSP, NPU	N/A	N/A	N/A
RAM	External RAM via interfaces	Up to 8 GB DDR4/LPDDR4	Up to 8 GB DDR4/LPDDR4	Up to 2 GB DDR3/LPDDR3	Up to 4 GB DDR3/LPDDR2	Up to 128MB DDR2
Display	External via interface SPI/I2C	Up to 3 4K UHD displays	4K UHD display	External via interface	Up to 1080p HD display	24-bit LCD Controller
Ports	SPI, I2C, UART, USB	SPI, I2C, PCIe, CAN, USB 3.0	I2C, PCIe, CAN, USB 3.0	SPI, I2C, USB 2.0	USB 2.0, SPI, I2C, UART, PCIe, SATA	USB 2.0, SPI, I2C, UART
Storage Options	External Flash NOR/NAND	eMMC, SD, UFS	eMMC, SD, NAND, NOR	eMMC, SD, NAND	eMMC, SD, NAND, NOR	SD, NAND, NOR
Network	Ethernet, External Wi-Fi modules	Ethernet, Wi-Fi, 5G	Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	Ethernet, External Wi-Fi modules	Ethernet, Wi-Fi via external modules	Ethernet, Wi-Fi via external modules
Power	50mW-500mW	500mW-1.5W	1W-3W	200mW-500mW	1W-3W	500mW-1W
OS Support	FreeRTOS, Zephyr, Linux distros (Yocto, Ubuntu, etc.)	Android, FreeRTOS, Zephyr, Linux distros (Yocto, Ubuntu, etc.)	Android, FreeRTOS, Zephyr, Linux distros (Yocto, Ubuntu, etc.)	FreeRTOS, Zephyr, Linux distros (Yocto, Ubuntu, etc.)	Linux distros (Yocto, Ubuntu, etc.), Android	Linux distros (Yocto, Ubuntu, etc.), Windows CE
Price Range	$2-$15	$20-$50	$15-$100	$8-$30	$10-$50	$5-$15
Documentation and Source Code	Documentation: i.MX RT Series Brochure SDK: MCUXpresso SDK Builder GitHub: nxp-imx	Documentation: i.MX 9 Applications Processors SDK: MCUXpresso SDK Builder GitHub: nxp-imx	Documentation: i.MX 8 Series Applications Processors SDK: MCUXpresso SDK Builder GitHub: nxp-imx	Documentation: i.MX 7 Series Applications Processors SDK: MCUXpresso SDK Builder GitHub: nxp-imx	Documentation: i.MX 6 Series Applications Processors SDK: MCUXpresso SDK Builder GitHub: nxp-imx	Documentation: i.MX 28 Series Applications Processors SDK: MCUXpresso SDK Builder GitHub: nxp-imx

Why is NXP i.MX Series Popular?

NXP i.MX Series is popular because of its combination of high-performance processing power, energy efficiency, and flexibility. It is ideal for a wide range of embedded applications such as automotive, industrial, IoT, and consumer electronics. With a broad selection of models, from entry-level to high-end, i.MX caters to various performance and feature needs.

Comparison Table

Platform	Processor	Performance	Power Consumption	Connectivity	Ecosystem & Tools	Applications	Price
Raspberry Pi	Broadcom SoC (ARM)	High	Medium	Wi-Fi, Ethernet, BT	Linux-based tools, GPIO support	IoT, edge computing, AI/ML	Low
NVIDIA Jetson	NVIDIA GPUs with ARM CPU	Very High	High	Wi-Fi, Ethernet	CUDA, TensorRT, Linux tools	AI/ML, robotics, video analytics	High
ESP32	Xtensa cores	Medium	Ultra-low	Wi-Fi, BLE	ESP-IDF, Arduino-compatible	IoT, smart home, wearable devices	Very Low
Texas Instruments Sitara	MSP430 (low-power), Sitara (ARM Cortex-A)	Low to High	Ultra-low (MSP430) / Medium (Sitara)	Ethernet, CAN	Code Composer Studio, RTOS	Energy meters, medical, industrial	Low to Medium
Qualcomm Snapdragon	ARM Cortex + DSP + AI	Very High	Medium	Wi-Fi, LTE, 5G	Android/Linux SDKs	Smart cameras, robotics, AR/VR	High
Intel Atom Processors	x86/x86-64 CPU	Low to Medium	Ultra-low	Wi-Fi, Ethernet, BT	Intel SDKs, Linux-based tools	Edge computing, media, IoT	Medium to High
Microchip PIC Microcontrollers	PIC32, PIC16, PIC18 (varied)	Low to Medium	Ultra-low	SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, etc.	MPLAB X IDE, Microchip Studio	Consumer electronics, automotive, industrial	Very Low
STMicroelectronics STM32 Series	ARM Cortex-M cores	Medium to High	Low	Optional (Wi-Fi, BLE)	STM32Cube, HAL libraries	Industrial control, robotics	Low to Medium
Renesas RX/RL78	RX (32-bit), RL78 (16-bit)	Low to Medium	Very Low	Optional	e2 Studio, Renesas Synergy	Automotive ECUs, home appliances	Low
ARM Cortex-M Series	ARM Cortex-M (varied)	Medium to High	Low to Very Low	Varies by vendor	Rich ecosystem, widely supported	IoT, industrial, automotive	Low to Medium
Arduino	AVR, SAM (ARM Cortex-M), others	Low to Medium	Low to Ultra-low	Optional (Wi-Fi), BLE	Arduino IDE	Prototyping, IoT, Robotics	Very Low
NXP i.MX Series	ARM Cortex-A (varied)	Medium to Very High	Medium	Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	Yocto, Linux SDKs, FreeRTOS	Industrial, IoT, Multimedia, Automotive	Medium to High

Key Points

Performance

• High-performance platforms like NVIDIA Jetson, Qualcomm Snapdragon, and NXP i.MX Series excel in AI/ML, robotics, and multimedia applications.
• Raspberry Pi and ESP32 offer solid performance for lighter tasks like IoT and edge computing.
• Texas Instruments Sitara and Microchip PIC Microcontrollers are better suited for low to medium performance tasks, such as embedded systems, energy meters, and automotive electronics.

Power Consumption

• ESP32, Microchip PIC, and Renesas RX/RL78 have ultra-low power consumption, making them ideal for battery-powered or low-energy applications.
• Raspberry Pi and Intel Atom Processors offer a balance of performance and power.
• NVIDIA Jetson and Qualcomm Snapdragon require higher power due to their advanced processing capabilities.

Connectivity

• Most platforms offer Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Bluetooth (BT) connectivity.
• Qualcomm Snapdragon and NXP i.MX Series extend this to LTE and 5G, making them suitable for more advanced, network-intensive applications.

Community Support & Tools

• Platforms like Raspberry Pi, NVIDIA Jetson, and Qualcomm Snapdragon are supported by rich ecosystems and powerful development tools, including CUDA, TensorRT, and various SDKs.
• Arduino, Microchip PIC, and Texas Instruments Sitara also have strong ecosystems for embedded applications, though they may lack some of the high-performance AI tools available on more powerful platforms.

Price

• Low-cost platforms like Raspberry Pi, ESP32, and Arduino are budget-friendly options for educational projects, hobbyists, and low-power IoT devices.
• Higher-end platforms such as NVIDIA Jetson, Qualcomm Snapdragon, and NXP i.MX Series are more expensive.

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