The difference between STM32 and 51 microcontrollers

The STM32 and 8051 (51) microcontrollers are two distinct families of microcontrollers with differences in architecture, capabilities, and applications. In today's rapidly developing technology, microcontrollers (MCUs) have been widely used in various electronic devices and systems, playing a crucial role. Among them, STM32 and 51 microcontrollers, as two common microcontrollers, each have unique characteristics and advantages. This article will explore in detail the differences between STM32 and 51 microcontrollers in terms of performance, development methods, system resources, development environment, operating system, and post maintenance, in order to provide readers with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding.

1. Architecture

STM32:

1. Based on the ARM Cortex-M architecture.
2. 32-bit microcontroller.
3. Features modern, high-performance RISC cores.

8051:

1. Based on the 8-bit Intel MCS-51 architecture.
2. An older architecture introduced in the 1980s.
3. Limited performance compared to modern standards.

2. Performance

STM32:

1. Clock speeds range from a few MHz to several hundred MHz.
2. High processing power suitable for complex applications.
3. Floating-point operations supported in some models.

8051:

1. Clock speeds typically in the range of 1–40 MHz.
2. Lower processing capability.
3. Not ideal for computationally intensive tasks.

3. Memory

STM32:

1. Larger memory capacity (both Flash and RAM), ranging from tens of kilobytes to several megabytes.
2. Supports external memory interfaces.

8051:

1. Limited internal memory, typically 4–128 KB Flash and a few kilobytes of RAM.
2. Requires external memory for larger applications.

4. Peripherals and Features

STM32:

1. Wide range of peripherals: ADCs, DACs, timers, GPIOs, USART, SPI, I2C, USB, CAN, Ethernet, and more.
2. Advanced features like DMA, real-time clock, and low-power modes.

8051:

1. Basic set of peripherals: GPIO, timers, UART, and interrupts.
2. Limited connectivity options compared to STM32.

5. Development Ecosystem

STM32:

1. Supported by modern development tools (STM32CubeMX, Keil, IAR, GCC).
2. Extensive libraries (HAL, LL) and middleware for rapid development.
3. Large community and ecosystem.

8051:

1. Supported by older tools (Keil C51, SDCC).
2. Smaller community and fewer libraries.
3. Slower development process.

6. Power Consumption

STM32:

Advanced power-saving modes, suitable for battery-operated and low-power applications.

8051:

Typically consumes more power than modern microcontrollers for equivalent tasks.

7. Cost

STM32:

Slightly higher cost due to advanced capabilities but still cost-effective for modern designs.

8051:

Very low-cost, making it appealing for simple, low-performance applications.

8. Applications

STM32:

Used in advanced and complex systems like IoT devices, robotics, industrial automation, medical devices, and consumer electronics.

8051:

Common in simple embedded systems like LED controllers, basic appliances, and legacy systems.

9.  Performance and Frequency

STM32 series microcontrollers based on Arm ®  Cortex ®- The M processor features high performance, real-time functionality, digital signal processing, low-power/low-voltage operation, and excellent connectivity. Its clock frequency is higher than that of the 51 microcontroller, which means that STM32 has faster speed in executing instructions and processing data. In addition, STM32 has high integration and is easy to develop, making it superior to the 51 microcontroller in terms of complexity and performance.

10. Development methods and system resources

In terms of development methods, 51 microcontrollers usually use direct operation of registers, while STM32 mainly relies on library functions for programming. This difference makes STM32 more flexible and efficient in the development process, reducing development difficulty. Meanwhile, STM32 is much richer in system resources than the 51 microcontroller, including more serial ports, SPI interfaces, multiple timers, and PWM output control pins. This makes STM32 more scalable and flexible in handling complex tasks.

11.  Development Environment and Operating System

In terms of development environment, although both the 51 microcontroller and STM32 can be developed in integrated development environments such as KEIL, STM32 provides more options, such as Linux. In addition, STM32 also supports various mainstream operating systems, such as RTOS (real-time operating system), which makes STM32 more widely applicable in embedded system applications. In contrast, the 51 microcontroller does not support an operating system, which to some extent limits its application scope and performance.

12.  Post maintenance methods

In terms of post maintenance, there are significant differences between STM32 and 51 microcontrollers. Due to the abundant system resources and powerful performance of STM32, its later maintenance is relatively more convenient. Developers can upgrade and improve STM32 by updating firmware, optimizing algorithms, and other methods to meet constantly changing market demands. Due to limited resources, the maintenance of the 51 microcontroller may face more challenges and limitations in the later stage.

13.  Application Fields and Market Prospects

The differences between STM32 and 51 microcontrollers are also reflected in their application areas and market prospects. Due to its advantages in performance, development methods, and system resources, STM32 has been widely used in industrial control, smart homes, medical equipment, automotive electronics, and other fields, demonstrating strong market competitiveness. Although the 51 microcontroller still has a place in some simple applications, with the development of technology, its market share is gradually being eroded by high-performance microcontrollers such as STM32.

However, it is worth noting that STM32 and 51 microcontrollers are not completely opposed to each other. In practical applications, developers need to choose the appropriate microcontroller based on specific needs and scenarios. For some applications with low resource requirements and cost sensitivity, the 51 microcontroller is still an economical and practical choice. For applications that require high performance and complex functionality, STM32 is undoubtedly a better choice.

14.  Conclusion and Prospect

• STM32: Best for modern, complex, and high-performance applications with advanced features.
• 8051: Suitable for legacy, low-cost, and simple applications with minimal requirements.

In summary, there are significant differences between STM32 and 51 microcontrollers in terms of performance, development methods, system resources, development environment, operating system, and post maintenance. These differences make STM32 have broader application prospects and stronger competitiveness in the technology field. However, we cannot ignore the advantages of the 51 microcontroller in certain specific scenarios.

Looking ahead, with the rapid development of technologies such as the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, microcontrollers will play an important role in more fields. As a high-performance and easy to develop microcontroller, STM32 is expected to occupy a larger market share in the future. At the same time, we also look forward to seeing more innovative microcontroller products emerge, injecting new vitality into technological development.

In this competition of technology and performance, STM32 and 51 microcontrollers each have their own strengths. As developers, we need to choose the appropriate microcontroller based on actual needs to fully leverage its performance advantages and drive continuous technological progress.