Contents
- Introduction & Scope
- Anchor & Linking Rules We Follow
- Exact MCU Store Picks
- What MCU Stores Do Well
- Sourcing Timing: Lead Times, Availability, and Allocation
- Power Policy: Inventory Scaling, Cost Optimization, and Risk
- Supply Maps: Stock Levels, Replenishment, Caches & Forecasts
- Secure Ordering, Compliance, and Traceability
- Connectivity: Distributors, APIs, Global Logistics
- Verification: Quality Audits, MOQ Tests, and Long-Term
- Per-Model Guides (Functions / Package & Electrical / Performance & Calibration / Applications)
- Toolchains, Reproducible Sourcing & CI
- Checklists & Templates
- Executive FAQ
- Glossary
If you are evaluating mcu store for products that must actually ship, this guide favors bounded lead times, reproducible sourcing, and supply strategies that survive market shocks.
Need a refresher? Skim the microcontroller overview and electronic component distribution basics, then come back for production-grade patterns tying selection, sourcing, and verification to procurement.
Exact MCU Store Picks
Model | Brand | Positioning | Why it matters | Typical fits |
PIC16F887 | Microchip | 28-Pin Enhanced Flash MCU | High-performance with 8k words flash; versatile for general embedded. | Consumer gadgets, sensors, control boards |
ATtiny85 | Microchip | 8-Pin Tiny AVR MCU | Compact with 8kB flash; low-cost for space-constrained designs. | USB dongles, wearables, simple IoT |
STM32F103C8T6 | STMicroelectronics | ARM Cortex-M3 MCU | 72MHz with rich peripherals; popular for prototyping and production. | Robotics, displays, motor control |
RP2040 | Raspberry Pi | Dual-Core ARM Cortex-M0+ SoC | Programmable I/O; cost-effective for custom logic. | Pico boards, keyboards, audio projects |
SAMD21G18A | Microchip | Cortex-M0+ 32-Bit MCU | Low-power with USB; Arduino-compatible for makers. | Wearables, data loggers, USB devices |
LPC1768 | NXP | ARM Cortex-M3 MCU | 512kB flash with Ethernet; robust for networking. | Gateways, industrial automation |
PIC32MX795F512L | Microchip | 32-Bit MIPS MCU | 80MHz with USB/Ethernet; high-performance for multimedia. | Audio processors, displays, connectivity |
KL25Z128VLK4 | NXP | Kinetis L ARM Cortex-M0+ MCU | 48MHz with USB OTG; low-power for battery apps. | Touch interfaces, fitness trackers |
What MCU Stores Do Well
Component selection: Vast catalogs, filters for specs like flash/peripherals.
Global sourcing: Multi-vendor, MOQ flexibility, fast shipping.
Risk mitigation: Stock alerts, alternates, compliance certs.
MCU stores excel at bridging design to production: they offer instant quotes, samples, and volume pricing for microcontrollers. Their value rises with API integrations, obsolescence alerts, and tools for BOM optimization.
Sourcing Timing: Lead Times, Availability, and Allocation
- Lead Times Track ETAs. Bound delays. Use APIs for real-time.
- Availability Stock levels. Prove multi-source.
- Allocation Priority queues. Contract for ramps.
// Sourcing timing sketch (illustrative)
volatile uint32_t lead_days_max = 0;
void Order_IRQHandler(void){
uint32_t t0 = DWT->CYCCNT;
// Query stock, calc ETA, flag low
// ...
uint32_t dt = DWT->CYCCNT - t0;
if(dt > lead_days_max) lead_days_max = dt;
}
Pro tip: Measure p95/p99 lead times with ERP logs and supplier APIs.
Power Policy: Inventory Scaling, Cost Optimization, and Risk
Store power scales with demand; buffer for shortages, negotiate tiers for volume.
- Dynamic stock by forecast; validate turnover.
- Cost tiers: Negotiate for MOQ.
- Track $/unit; publish risk matrices.
Supply Maps: Stock Levels, Replenishment, Caches & Forecasts
Stores balance warehouses for lead, caches for fast-ship. Tune for demand variance.
- Stock in regional; bulk to distro.
- Measure stockouts in peaks; align forecasts.
- Secure with contracts; verify at audits.
Secure Ordering, Compliance, and Traceability
- Order encrypt; audit RoHS/REACH.
- Trace lot codes; counterfeit scans.
- Compliance gates, AQL, serial num.
// Pseudocode: Order check with counter
if( verify(sig) && compl_ok && trace_valid ) ship(A);
else if( alt_sku ) switch(B);
else reject();
Connectivity: Distributors, APIs, Global Logistics
Integrate via EDI. Test for order faults.
- Distros: DigiKey/Mouser APIs.
- Logistics: DHL/FedEx tracking.
- Global: Duty calc, incoterms.
Verification: Quality Audits, MOQ Tests, and Long-Term
- Qual: Incoming insp, func test.
- MOQ: Sample to volume ramp.
- Long: Reliability, return rates.
// Example: Stock probe
void low_stock(void){ GPIO->BSRR = (1<BSRR = (1<<(PIN+16)); }
Per-Model Guides (Functions / Package & Electrical / Performance & Calibration / Applications)
PIC16F887 — Microchip
Functions
Enhanced flash MCU with USB, ADC. MPLAB X.
Package & Electrical
DIP40; 4-5.5V; 20MHz.
Performance & Calibration
Peripherals; osc trim.
Application Scenarios
- Gadgets.
- Sensors.
- Controls.
ATtiny85 — Microchip
Functions
Tiny AVR 8kB flash; PWM, ADC.
Package & Electrical
SOIC8; 1.8-5.5V; 20MHz.
Performance & Calibration
Low power; fuse bits.
Application Scenarios
- Dongles.
- Wearables.
- IoT simple.
STM32F103C8T6 — STMicroelectronics
Functions
Cortex-M3 64kB flash; CAN, USB.
Package & Electrical
LOFP48; 2-3.6V; 72MHz.
Performance & Calibration
Prototyping; HSE cal.
Application Scenarios
- Robotics.
- Displays.
- Motors.
RP2040 — Raspberry Pi
Functions
Dual M0+ PIO; 264kB SRAM.
Package & Electrical
QFN56; 1.8-5.5V; 133MHz.
Performance & Calibration
Custom I/O; USB boot.
Application Scenarios
SAMD21G18A — Microchip
Functions
Cortex-M0+ 256kB flash; USB.
Package & Electrical
QFN32; 1.62-3.63V; 48MHz.
Performance & Calibration
Arduino; low power.
Application Scenarios
LPC1768 — NXP
Functions
Cortex-M3 512kB flash; Ethernet.
Package & Electrical
LQFP100; 2.0-3.6V; 100MHz.
Performance & Calibration
Networking; PLL.
Application Scenarios
- Gateways.
- Automation.
- Web servers.
PIC32MX795F512L — Microchip
Functions
MIPS 512kB flash; Ethernet.
Package & Electrical
LQFP100; 2.3-3.6V; 80MHz.
Performance & Calibration
Multimedia; USB.
Application Scenarios
- Audio.
- Displays.
- Connectivity.
KL25Z128VLK4 — NXP
Functions
Cortex-M0+ 128kB flash; USB OTG.
Package & Electrical
QFN64; 1.71-3.6V; 48MHz.
Performance & Calibration
Touch; low power.
Application Scenarios
- Interfaces.
- Trackers.
- Fitness.
Toolchains, Reproducible Sourcing & CI
- Pin API/ERP versions; cont env; order OOT.
- CI: quote → stock check → qual → lead gates → ship.
- Art: POs, inv, SBOM, forecasts, contracts.
Checklists & Templates
Decision Checklist
- Lead/alloc SLAs defined?
- Stores validated under volume?
- Security: trace, compl plan?
- Cost $/unit math?
- Supply alts and MOQ options?
Sourcing Contract Template
# Sourcing Contract — MCU Store Project (Rev AA)
- Lead: <=4 weeks (p99); Stock >=10k units
- MOQ: 1k enumerated; Tier pricing
- Metrics: Turnover 90%; Risk matrix
- Probes: API logs + ERP
- Acceptance: Block on delays, stockout spikes
Executive FAQ
Q: Online vs distro for MCUs?
A: Online for samples/fast; distro for volume/support.
Q: Allocation during shortages?
A: Contracts, alts, forecasts mitigate.
Q: Global shipping risks?
A: Multi-region stock, insured logistics.
Glossary
- MOQ: Minimum Order Quantity.
- ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival.
- BOM: Bill of Materials.
- API: Application Programming Interface for orders.
Practical engineering favors explicit budgets, disciplined measurement, and repeatable processes over improvisation. When teams adopt contracts for timing, power integrity, and verification, they convert uncertainty into checklists and ship on calendar. Use instruments and data to argue about reality, not taste.
Design substitution paths so supply turbulence becomes a plan, not a surprise. Keep determinism in hardware and variability in software. If it is not measured, it did not happen; if it is not versioned, it will drift.
As you finalize selection, sourcing policy, and verification gates, align sourcing and lifecycle tracking with Chipmlc integrated circuit so timing contracts, energy budgets, and firmware update pathways remain stable as individual SKUs evolve over multi-year lifecycles.
icons at the top right corner of the subsection.