There was a time when the microcontroller selection available was pretty much limited. Now there are so many available, it is a task to find the right one. Choosing a microcontroller depends on what you want to accomplish. When choosing a microcontroller, you have to ask yourself the right questions and research the different type of microcontrollers before making your choose.
These 7 steps will help you choose the right microcontroller.
1. Ask yourself what your needs are in terms of programmability and reprogrammability. This will help in determining memory requirements of the microcontroller.
2. Think what peripherals you will be using or wanting to use in the future.
3. Decide on the physical packaging and the limitations that can be associated with it.
4. Consider memory aspects. More complex systems will need more memory, and thus, bigger chips.
5. Decide on the architecture of the system you are planning.
6. Think about hardware and software tools that are manufactured with the microcontrollers compared to what you will need.
7. Think about costs and what you have budgeted to spend on the microcontroller. Above anything, this will probably sway your decision on which one you will purchase if you are strictly restricted where costs are concerned.
Now that you know these parameters, look for the microcontroller that best fits your needs
SOURCE: eHow