Hardware Competition Analysis of Microprocessors
– Internship at Microchip

Internship Context

This internship was carried out at Microchip Technology in Rousset, France, in January 2024, as part of my engineering studies at the École des Mines de Saint-Étienne (ISMIN program). The primary objective was to perform a competitive analysis of Microchip’s microprocessors (MPUs) against its competitors and to provide a sales assistance tool for the technical marketing team.

Mission Objectives

  1. Hardware study of competitor microprocessors: Detailed comparison of Microchip MPUs with those from other companies.
  2. Creation of a comparison tool: Development of an Excel sheet to allow easy comparison of MPU characteristics, helping the sales teams to argue effectively during sales discussions.
  3. Presentation of results: Presentation of the analysis findings to the technical marketing team, with participation from management based in the United States.

Hardware Analysis of MPUs

The comparative study focused on several technical criteria, including for example :

  • Processor frequency, types, and number of cores.
  • Integrated memory and support for external memory.
  • DMIPS (Dhrystone MIPS, a performance indicator).
  • Power consumption and operating temperature ranges.
  • Available formats and pricing.
  • Network and audiovisual functionalities.
  • Security protocols and connectivity.

Special attention was given to comparing entry-level MPUs with high-end MCUs (MCU-to-MPU migration) to justify the performance improvements brought by MPUs.

Sales Comparison Tool

The tool developed in Excel allows:

  • A clear visualization of MPU differences using an automatic color-coding system (green, red, gray) to quickly identify product advantages or limitations.
  • Filtering of key characteristics based on needs (e.g., processor frequency) for instant and relevant comparisons.

Ecosystem Analysis

The analysis also covered the development kits (Discovery Kits, Evaluation Boards) and the software tools supported by each MPU from different brands. Comparisons were made on:

  • Available electronic boards for the MPUs.
  • Compatible software and targeted industrial applications, notably in IoT, medical systems, and automotive solutions.

Final Presentation

I had the opportunity to present my findings to the local marketing team and the management in the U.S. This experience allowed me to deepen my hardware analysis skills while developing my technical communication abilities in English. I am very grateful for this opportunity which I am sure will help me in my future projects.