How To Choose Between Microcontroller And FPGA For Your Embedded Application?

1
2/28/23, 1202 PM
FPGA vs Microcontroller - Which one is Best for
Embedded Application?
Home(https//oxeltech.de/en/)
Oxeltech
Electronics (https//oxeltech.de/en/category/elect
ronics/)Digital Electronics
(https//oxeltech.de/en/category/electronics/digit
al-electronics/)Embedded Systems
(https//oxeltech.de/en/category/electronics/embed
ded-systems/)
(https//oxeltech.de/en/fpga-vs-
microcontroller/)
How to Choose Between Microcontroller and FPGA
for Your ESmhbeadreded Application?
How To Choose Between Microcontroller
AYounmday wFonPdeGr ifAyouFshoourld
uYseoMuicrroncEtromller bor eFPdGAdfoer
ydourAnexpt epmlbiecddeadtaippolicnati?on.
Its important to know the difference between the
two. Lets have a look at this table for a brief
comparison.
FPGA
Features
MCU
Hardware Structure
MCU has a fixed hardware structure. It only
offers the custom use of that hardware.
FPGAs hardware structure is not predefined and
can be altered based on applications.
Common Programming Languages
MCU program is often written in C/C, and its
execution is sequential on MCU.
FPGA program is written in VHDL/Verilog in the
form of modules that work concurrently on
hardware.
Easier to port designs between MCUs with C/C
language.
No universal design method that is portable.
Portable Design
Computational Power
MCU is good at performing basic math operations
but has low throughput.
FPGA is very fast for doing a lot of math
operations. FPGA is preferred for time-critical
signal processing applications.
Development Effort
Code development consumes less effort for MCU.
Most of the libraries are available for
different functions such as ADC, DAC, USB, UART,
etc.
Code development consumes more effort compared
to MCUs. FPGAs are not for beginners.
MCU is flexible only for reprogramming software.
FPGA is superior in software and hardware
flexibility in customization.
Flexibility
Power consumption
MCU consumes less power and has a power-saving
mode.
FPGA consumes high power due to a lot number of
logic gates and does not support a power-saving
mode.
2
2/28/23, 1202 PM
FPGA vs Microcontroller - Which one is Best for
Embedded Application?
FPGA
MCU With thousands of variants, the cost is
low.OWxiteh felwteer vacriahnts, the cost is high.
Features
Cost

• Now lets now have a look at the characteristics
  of each.
• Share
• Table of Content
• Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) Overview
• Microcontroller (MCU) Overview
• FPGA Strengths
• Parallelization
• Lots of math, especially multiplication
• A lot of Inputs / Outputs
• Highly Customizable
• High Bandwidth Throughput
• MCU Strengths
• Cost
• Relative simplicity
• Built-in functions
• Thousands of variants
• Low Power
• How to choose between MCU and FPGA

3
2/28/23, 1202 PM FPGA vs Microcontroller - Which
one is Best for Embedded Application? Field
Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) Overview Oxeltech
Share
FPGA is volatile as it does not have embedded
flash memory for code. Therefore, external
memory is connected to FPGA that holds the
code. There is no CPU in FPGA. The program for
FPGA is written in VHDL or Verilog. Programming
is at the discrete component level, wiring up
different gates. There might be hardcore
processors in some FPGAs. This processor is built
into the FPGA fabric, which can be instantiated
in code. FPGA Design Flow
4
2/28/23, 1202 PM
FPGA vs Microcontroller - Which one is Best for
Embedded Application?
Oxeltech
Share
Microcontroller (MCU) Overview
MCU has built-in memory for code storage. There
is a CPU in MCU. The program is written in C
programming. MCU contains various discrete
hardware blocks such as timers, ADCs, RAM,
oscillators, Communication interfaces, etc.
5
2/28/23, 1202 PM FPGA vs Microcontroller - Which
one is Best for Embedded Application? MCU is less
flexible than FPGA. MCU program flow
Oxeltech
S
hare
FPGA Strengths Why one might choose FPGA over
MCU Parallelization If there are a lot of
computations to do at once or in parallel, then
FPGA is the better option. Lots Of Math,
Especially Multiplication FPGAs are very fast for
doing a lot of math operations because they can
do multiple operations on every single clock
cycle of the master clock. A Lot Of Inputs /
Outputs FPGA usually has a lot of I/Os, so that
several peripherals can be interfaced with FPGA.
6
2/28/23, 1202 PM Highly Customizable
FPGA vs Microcontroller - Which one is Best for
Embedded Application?
Any unique protocol can be implemented, which may
not be common in MCUs. Oxeltech High Bandwidth
Throughput Many analogue data can be digitized,
filtered, and processed quickly in
FPGAs. Share MCU Strengths Cost MCUs are cheaper
than FPGA. A greater number of different MCUs
available from different manufacturers compared
to FPGAs. Relative Simplicity MCUs are simpler
than FPGAs FPGAs are relatively complicated in
terms of programming. In MCU, code is written in
sequential order. It can easily be understood,
whereas, in FPGA, code is written in parallel
modules. Built-In Functions MCU has many
built-in functions, such as USB, UART, USB, SPI,
ADC, DAC, etc., which are useful in embedded
projects. Whereas, in FPGA, either find a core
and program that core into FPGA or write every
function from scratch, which would take a lot of
time. Thousands Of Variants There is an insane
number of MCUs and each family of MCU has
different variants. Low Power MCUs are generally
low power than FPGAs. MCUs can optimize power
much better. For example, they can go to sleep
mode, but FPGAs usually are not designed for low
power consumption with sleep features. How To
Choose Between MCU And FPGA The following two
steps should be considered while choosing the
intelligent device for the project
7
2/28/23, 1202 PM FPGA vs Microcontroller - Which
one is Best for Embedded Application?

1. List down all the requirements of the application
   project.
2. Keeping in view the strengths of both devices,
   decide whether MCU will be the best fit for your
   application or FPGA.

Oxeltech

• Example No 1
• List of application requirements
• Share
• Needs custom interfaces
• Lots of math with fast throughput
• Low power
• Cost of hardware is not the primary concern
• Solution

• In this case, FPGA is preferred for custom
  communication interfaces and lots of mathematical
  operations.
• Example No. 2
• List of application requirements
• Proof of concept required in 2 months
• Basic Math
• Low power
• Cost-effective
• Solution
• In this case, MCU is a better option that will
  take less development time and is cost-effective.
• No wonder we see an abundance of MCUs in IoT
  applications such as wireless sensor nodes. IoT
  nodes are often battery-operated, need to be
  cost-effective, and need basic data collection,
  so the low power consumption and
  cost-effectiveness of MCUs make them an easy
  choice for IoT developers.
• For any queries on the topic of Micro-controllers
  or FPGA Design, any consultancy on the subject,
  or any other Hardware Design related challenge in
  general, feel free to
• Contact Us (https//oxeltech.de/en/contact-us/)
  for our consultancy. You can check out our other
  Technical Blogs (https//oxeltech.de/en/blog/) on
  various topics or visit our new website
  Oxeltech.de to learn about our services and
  products.

8
2/28/23, 1202 PM
FPGA vs Microcontroller - Which one is Best for
Embedded Application?
Team Oxeltech December 6, 2022(https//oxeltech.de
/en/2022/12/06/) 622 am No (https//oxeltech.de/e
n/fpga-vs- Comments microcontroller/respond) Sha
re
Oxeltech
Did You Enjoy This Article? Join Oxeltech
community and get updated every week We have a
lot more just for you! Lets join us now
Email
Subscribe Now
No charge
Unsubscribe anytime
Leave AReRceenpt Ployst ot bHeowpuTbolisWherdit.eR
AeqDuriirveedr fFieoldr sAacrceemlearorkmeedter
LIS3DSH In Zephyr? (Https//Oxeltech.De/En/How-To
-Write-A-Driver-For- Accelerometer-Lis3dsh-In-Zeph
yr/) January 16, 2023
Your email address will n Comment
(https//oxeltech.de/en/how- to-write-a-driver-fo
r- accelerometer-lis3dsh- in-zephyr/) SoC Vs SoM
System On Chip Vs System On Module
(Https//Oxeltech.De/En/System-On-Chip-Soc-Vs-Syst
em-On-
9
2/28/23, 1202 PM FPGA vs Microcontroller - Which
one is Best for Embedded Application? (Nhattmpse/
/oxeltech.de/en/systeMmo-dule-Som/)
on-chip-soc-vs-system- December 23,
2022 on-module-som/)
Oxeltech
Email Share
ESD Best Practices (Https//Oxeltech.De/En/Esd-Bes
t- Practices/) December 6, 2022 and website in
this browser for the next time I comment.
Website Save my name, email, Post Comment
(https//oxeltech.de/en/esd- best-practices/) How
To Choose Between Microcontroller And FPGA For
Your Embedded Application? (Https//Oxeltech.De/E
n/Fpga-Vs- Microcontroller/) December 6, 2022
(https//oxeltech.de/en/fpga- vs-microcontroller/
) Hold-Up Capacitor Calculations And Uses
(Https//Oxeltech.De/En/Hold-Up-Capacitor-Calculat
ions-And- Use/) November 6, 2022
(https//oxeltech.de/en/hold- up-capacitor- calcu
lations-and-use/) MTBF Concept And Application
(Https//Oxeltech.De/En/Mtbf- Concept-And-Applica
tion/) October 6, 2022
10
2/28/23, 1202 PM
FPGA vs Microcontroller - Which one is Best for
Embedded Application?
tbf-
(https//oxeltech.de/en/m concept-and-
application/)
Oxeltech
All About LiDAR Technology Complete Guide
(Https//Oxeltech.De/En/Lidar-Technology/) Septemb
er 6, 2022
Share
(https//oxeltech.de/en/lidar- technology/) How
To Choose The Right Flash Memory For Your
Embedded Application. (Https//Oxeltech.De/En/Fla
sh-Memory-In- Embedded-System/) August 6, 2022
(https//oxeltech.de/en/flash-
memory-in-embedded- system/) Altiums PCB
Designer Tools Guide (Https//Oxeltech.De/En/Alti
um-Pcb-Designer-Tools-Guide/) July 6, 2022
(https//oxeltech.de/en/altium-
pcb-designer-tools- guide/) Altiums Amazing
Features Project Management Tools
(Https//Oxeltech.De/En/Altium-Project-Management/
) June 6, 2022
11
2/28/23, 1202 PM
FPGA vs Microcontroller - Which one is Best for
Embedded Application?
ium- Oxeltech Ceramic Capacitors Which
Aspects To Consider When Using Them In Your
Design? (Https//Oxeltech.De/En/Ceramic- Capacitor
-Uses/) May 8, 2022
(https//oxeltech.de/en/alt project-management/)
Share
(https//oxeltech.de/en/ceramic-
capacitor-uses/) How To Control DC Servo Motors?
(Https//Oxeltech.De/En/Dc- Servo-Motor-Controlle
r/) April 21, 2022
(https//oxeltech.de/en/dc- servo-motor-controlle
r/) Your Ultimate Guide To Designing Analog
Filters (Https//Oxeltech.De/En/Analog-Filters-De
sign-Guide/) April 9, 2022
(https//oxeltech.de/en/analog-
filters-design-guide/) Consumer Electronics,
Industrial Electronics And Industrial Standards
(Https//Oxeltech.De/En/Consumer-And-Industrial-
Electronics-Standards/) April 1, 2022
12
2/28/23, 1202 PM
FPGA vs Microcontroller - Which one is Best for
Embedded Application?
(https//oxeltech.de/en/consumer- and-industrial-
Design Guide On USB-C PD Charge-Through Feature
With Data
Role Swap (Https//Oxeltech.DOe/Exne/Uslbt-eC-Dceh
sign-Guide/) March 23, 2022
Share
(https//oxeltech.de/en/usb- c-design-guide/) Alt
iums Team Collaboration Features In PCB Design
(Https//Oxeltech.De/En/Altium-365-Team-Collaborat
ion/) March 6, 2022
(https//oxeltech.de/en/altium-
365-team-collaboration/) Using Zephyr OS For
Interfacing An IMU Sensor With NRF52 Over SPI
(Https//Oxeltech.De/En/Using-Zephyr-Os-For-
Interfacing-An-Imu-Sensor-With-Nrf52-Over-Spi/) Ju
ly 25, 2021
(https//oxeltech.de/en/using-
zephyr-os-for- interfacing-an-imu-
sensor-with-nrf52-over- spi/) Use Of Grounding
Techniques In PCB Design To Prevent
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
(Https//Oxeltech.De/En/Pcb-Grounding-Techniques/)
June 29, 2021
13
2/28/23, 1202 PM (https//oxeltech.de/en/pcb-
FPGA vs Microcontroller - Which one is Best for
Embedded Application?
PCB Design Guidelines For Reduced Electromagnetic
Interference (EMI) (Https//OxOeltexche.Dlet/Een/c
Rehduce-Emi-In-Pcb-
Layout/) May 5, 2021
Share
(https//oxeltech.de/en/reduce-
emi-in-pcb-layout/) EMC Vs EMI Compatibility,
Principles Mechanism Comparisons
(Https//Oxeltech.De/En/Emc-And-Emi/) April 18,
2021
(https//oxeltech.de/en/emc- and-emi/)
Continue Reading
14
2/28/23, 1202 PM FPGA vs Microcontroller - Which
one is Best for Embedded Application? (https//oxe
ltech.de/en/how-to-write-a-driver-for-acceleromete
r-lis3dsh-in-zephyr/)
Oxeltech
Share How To Write A Driver For Accelerometer
LIS3DSH In Zephyr? (Https//Oxeltech.De/En/How-To
-Write-A-Driver-For-Accelerometer-Lis3dsh-In-
Zephyr/) Team Oxeltech January 16, 2023 In our
previous Zephyr blog, we looked at how to
interface a simple IMU Accelerometer sensor
with Zephyr RTOS running on NRF52832. Knowing
how Read More (Https//Oxeltech.De/En/How-To-Write
-A-Driver-For-Accelerometer-Lis3dsh-In- Zephyr/)
(https//oxeltech.de/en/system-on-chip-soc-vs-syst
em-on-module-som/) SoC Vs SoM System On Chip
Vs System On Module (Https//Oxeltech.De/En/Syste
m-On-Chip-Soc-Vs-System-On-Module-Som/) Team
Oxeltech December 23, 2022 What is System on
Chip, SoC? A System on Chip or SoC is a key
component in Embedded Systems today. An SoC
refers to a
15
2/28/23, 1202 PM FPGA vs Microcontroller - Which
one is Best for Embedded Application? Read More
(Https//Oxeltech.De/En/System-On-Chip-Soc-Vs-Syst
em-On-Module-Som/)
Oxeltech
Share
Would You Like Some Info?
Name Name Email Email Message Message
Send
Let's Discuss Contact Us for any
Queries info_at_oxeltech.de (mailtoinfo_at_oxeltech.de
) (mailtoinfo_at_oxeltech.de)
49176 64738476 (Tel[phone])
(https
(tel[phone])
//ww
w.link
edin.c om/c ompa ny/ox eltech /)
Hardware Design Simulation(https//oxeltech.de/e
n/hardware-design-simulation/)
16
FPGA vs Microcontroller - Which one is Best for
Embedded Application? PCB Layout
Assembly(https//oxeltech.de/en/pcb-layout-assembl
y/) Firmware Development(https//oxeltech.de/en/fi
rmware-development/)
2/28/23, 1202 PM
Imprint(https//oxeltech.de/en/imOprinxt/)eltech
Contact Us(https//oxeltech.de/en/contact-us/) Blo
g(https//oxeltech.de/en/blog/)
Share Member Of IHK (Https//Www.Ihk.De/)