The document provides a comprehensive comparison between microcontrollers (MCUs) and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) for embedded applications. It outlines their respective strengths, such as MCUs being cost-effective and simple, while FPGAs excel in complex mathematical operations and customizability. The choice between the two depends on specific application requirements, with examples provided for different scenarios.

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How to Choose Between Microcontroller and FPGA for Your
Embedded Application?
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How To Choose Between Microcontroller
And FPGA For Your Embedded Application?
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You may wonder if you should use Micronctroller or FPGA for your next embedded application.
It’s important to know the difference between the two.
Let’s have a look at this table for a brief comparison.
Features MCU
FPGA
Hardware
Structure
MCU has a fixed hardware structure. It
only offers the custom use of that
hardware.
FPGA’s 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.
Portable Design Easier to port designs between MCUs with
C/C++ language.
No universal design method that is
portable.
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.
Flexibility MCU is flexible only for reprogramming
software.
FPGA is superior in software and
hardware flexibility in customization.
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.
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Features MCU
FPGA
Cost With thousands of variants, the cost is low. With fewer variants, the cost is high.
Now let’s now have a look at the characteristics of each.
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:
• Example no 1:
• Solution:
• Example no. 2:
• Solution:
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Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)
Overview:
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:
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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.
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MCU is less flexible than FPGA.
MCU program flow:
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.
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Highly Customizable
Any unique protocol can be implemented, which may not be common in MCUs.
High Bandwidth Throughput
Many analogue data can be digitized, filtered, and processed quickly in FPGAs.
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:
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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.
Example No 1:
List of application requirements:
1. Needs custom interfaces
2. Lots of math with fast throughput
3. Low power
4. 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:
1. Proof of concept required in 2 months
2. Basic Math
3. Low power
4. 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.
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 December 6, 2022(https://oxeltech.de/en/2022/12/06/)
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