Tip No. 9: Synchronization of multi-core SoCs
An increasing number of modern SoCs contain two or more microcontroller cores. In this regard, particular attention should be given to on-chip synchronization capabilities. Almost every external synchronization leads to a time gap, for example, during starting and stopping of the cores. The debugger used should also, in terms of structure and operational concept, support the debugging of multiple cores without having to execute multiple instances.
Tip No. 10: Pay attention to the architecture support
And last but not least, in addition to pure performance parameters, the entire environment of the microcontroller architecture - such as programming examples for complex peripherals, application notes, code generation tools, user forums, good knowledge of the architecture at the tool vendors, etc. - also plays an important role. Admittedly, the latter is difficult to measure. However, if the tools offer support for architecture-specific features, this is usually a reliable indication that the respective tool vendor has in-depth system know-how and that there is a intensive cooperation with the respective MCU manufacturer.
About the author: Dipl.Inf. Heiko Riessland studied computer sciences at the Dresden Technical University. After gathering ten years of experience in designing and selling of software development tools and emulators for 16bit and 32bit microcontrollers, Riesland oversees the product marketing at software tool vendor PLS Programmierbare Logik & Systeme GmbH.