Choosing the Right Microcontroller for Real-Time Robotics Applications

[Jane Will]

Hi everyone,

I’m a research student working on a robotics project that requires real-time processing for precise motion control. I need a microcontroller with low latency, strong computational power, and good peripheral support (PWM, SPI, I2C, etc.).

• Would an ARM Cortex-M series MCU be a better choice over an ESP32 or AVR for real-time tasks?
• How significant is the difference between using an RTOS versus bare-metal programming for time-sensitive applications?
• Any recommendations for specific MCUs that balance performance, power efficiency, and ease of development?

I’d appreciate any insights or experiences. Thanks!

 

[Lightium]

Since your a research student, buy all three and find out.

 

[danadak]

The following single chip might be good approach :

Multiple copies of above components in chip (a component is a chip resource in PSOC language), ability to create
custom logic with schematic capture and or verilog, and users have created libs like DDS, CPLD, CORDIC,
74HC.....

Each component comes with a rich lib of code f() calls so user rarely writes drivers, just codes
at top level.

Compiler and IDE (PSOC Creator, MODBUS) free. Wizards to create state machines, DMA, logic from
gates to LUTs to high functional stuff......routing internal and external wizard......

Very good board to get started CY8CKIT-059, ~ $ 15.

Folks have done oscilloscopes with it, I did bursting programmable f() generator design
with it, and some tests, like 64 bit SR, 64 bit counter, various state machines.....

3 fams, PSOC 4, 5LP, 6 (dual core, but with limited user fabric).

Tons of projects to pull resources from.

There is this series which I just came across, fast, but seems no user design fabric -

PSOC™ Control C3M - Infineon Technologies

32-bit PSOC™ Arm® Cortex® Microcontroller

www.infineon.com

Regards, Dana.

 

[rjenkinsgb]

I'd look at the STM32 range. There are excellent and cheap development kits readily available.

eg.
mid range:

https://www.digikey.co.uk/en/products/detail/stmicroelectronics/NUCLEO-F446RE/5347712

or higher end, double precision FPU & some GPU hardware:

https://www.digikey.co.uk/en/products/detail/stmicroelectronics/NUCLEO-H7A3ZI-Q/11482046

The Nucleo dev boards also have USB programmers built in.