On 5/20/06, Herbert Graf <mailinglist2@farcite.net> wrote:
> >
> > If Microchip would license the ARM core, then maybe it is
> > a different story. I think Microchip will beat Atmel and
> > Philips pretty easily in the ARM clone market if they
> > want to.
>
> See, that's where I disagree.
>
> There seems to be a strong opinion that going 16bit/32bit means going
> with ARM. I've seem this opinion quite alot and just can't quite agree
> with it.
>
> My experience with the ARM architecture is that it is more focused on
> being a microprocessor instead of a microcontroller. This is an
> important distinction that has allowed MCHIP to capture the 8bit market,
> since the 8bit market no longer cares much about "processing" tasks and
> is more focused on "controlling" tasks.

There are new Microcontroller oriented ARM core like Cortex M3. If Microchip's
patent is invalidated, more lower end ARM based MCU will be out.

http://www.arm.com/products/CPUs/ARM_Cortex-M3.html
http://www.luminarymicro.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=65&Itemid=187

Microchip's patent will make companies to pay them to develop, for
example,6-pin 8-bit MCUs, 14pin 16-bit MCUs and 28pin/30pin 32-bit
MCUs.

Regards,
Xiaofan

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