Processors are the bedrock of computing innovation and have been the leading force behind rapid advances in edge AI, workload optimization, and operational system capabilities. This report analyzes the global market for merchant microprocessor units/central processing units (MPUs/CPUs), microcontrollers (MCUs), field- programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and system-on-chips (SoCs) used in IoT, embedded and mobile systems. In addition to extensive market sizing, segmentations, and forecasting, this research also investigates the current requirements, preferences, dependencies, and areas of investment for hardware engineers, software developers, and others at OEMs, integrators, and other engineering organizations.
Report Excerpt
What Questions are Addressed?
How is insatiable demand for hardware acceleration shaping the market opportunities for different processor types, architectures, and footprints?
Which industry segments are expected to grow the fastest in the embedded processor market through 2028?
Who are the leading suppliers of embedded MPUs/CPUs, MCUs, DSPs, FPGAs, SoCs and Mobile SoCs?
How have leading embedded processor suppliers evolved their product portfolios, software development environments/platforms, and services to align with market needs?
What does the current architectural landscape look like among processor suppliers?
Where is the largest growth opportunity for different embedded processor types?
What do different communities of embedded engineers and developers working at organizations of various sizes and origins expect of embedded processor suppliers?
Key Findings
The global market for IoT, embedded and mobile processors has flourished over recent years and, despite a turbulent 2024, is expected to regain a steady growth trajectory through 2028.
With supply and component shortages now largely overcome, some leading suppliers are now contending with large fluctuations in oversupply of existing SKUs and product inventory against current demand in some industries.
The rapid advancement of AI and machine learning still has significant runway remaining within the embedded processor market for new design wins and retrofits/updates.
Geopolitical issues are hampering some embedded processor technology access across borders but are also fueling dramatic R&D investments across several leading countries in the market.
Distributors/resellers and embedded motherboard, modules, and integrated system/server vendors are critical channels to market for aligning with the evolving preferences of processor end users.
VDC's survey of embedded engineers and developers found that the amount of computation taking place at the far edge (i.e., endpoint sensors, machinery/equipment) is considerably higher for organizations in A&D, automotive, and industrial automation than others, which have more processing taking place in edge gateways and near-edge infrastructure.
Who Should Read this Report?
This report was written for those making critical decisions regarding product, market, channel, and competitive strategy and tactics. This report is intended for senior decision-makers who are developing embedded solutions, including:
CEO or other C-level executives
Corporate development and M&A teams
Marketing executives
Product development/strategy leaders
Channel management/strategy leaders
Table of Contents
Inside this Report
What Questions are Addressed?
Who Should Read this Report?
Technology Suppliers in this Report
Demand-side Research Overview
Executive Summary
Key Findings
Global Market Overview
Go-to-market Strategies Must be Multifaceted
Edge AI is Reaching Mass Market Potential
Neural Processing Takes Off
The Generative AI Processor Market is Beginning to Stir
Chiplets are Still on the Horizon for Embedded
Recent Developments
Mergers and Acquisitions
Regional Analysis
Americas
Europe, Middle East, and Africa
Asia-Pacific
RISC-V Adoption Accelerates Amidst the Escalating Chip War
Vertical Markets
Automotive
Aerospace & Defense
Communications & Networking
Industrial Automation
Mobile Devices
Emerging Verticals
Role of CPU Architectures
ARM
Intel Architecture/x86
RISC-V
Others
Competitive Landscape & Profiles
AMD
Arm
Infineon Technologies
Intel
MediaTek
Microchip Technology
NXP Semiconductors
Qualcomm
Renesas
STMicroelectronics
End-user Insights
Hardware Innovation and Software Development Support Boost Vendor Ratings
Software Stacks Vary Based on Processor Type and End Application
About the Authors
About VDC Research
List of Report Exhibits
Exhibit 1: Global Shipments of Embedded Processors Segmented by Processor Type, 2023-2028 (Billions of Dollars)
Exhibit 2: Global Shipments of Embedded Processors Segmented by Processor Type, 2024 & 2028 (Unit Shipments)
Exhibit 3: Global Shipments of Embedded Processors Segmented by Region, 2024 (Percentage of Revenue)
Exhibit 4: Global Shipments of Embedded MPUs/CPUs Segmented by Vertical Market (US$ in Billions, Percentage of Revenue)
Exhibit 5: Global Shipments of Embedded MCUs Segmented by Vertical Market (US$ in Billions, Percentage of Revenue)
Exhibit 6: Global Shipments of Embedded FPGAs Segmented by Vertical Market (US$ in Billions, Percentage of Revenue)
Exhibit 7: Global Shipments of Embedded SoCs Segmented by Vertical Market (US$ in Billions, Percentage of Revenue)
Exhibit 8: Global Shipments of Embedded MSoCs Segmented by Vertical Market (US$ in Billions, Percentage of Revenue)
Exhibit 9: Current Architectural Support Among Leading Embedded Processor Suppliers
Exhibit 10: Global Shipments of Embedded Processors Segmented by CPU Architecture, 2024 (Percentage of Unit Shipments) Exhibit 11 Leading Embedded Processor Vendor Shares Segmented by Processor Type, 2024 (Percentage of Revenue)
Exhibit 12: Rating of Experience with Embedded Processor Suppliers (Average of Responses) Exhibit 13 Amount of Overall Computation Being Done by Location (Average of Responses)
Exhibit 14: Most Important Characteristics When Choosing an Embedded Processor (Percentage of Respondents) Exhibit 15 Embedded Software Stack Components Required on Current Project (Percentage of Respondents)
List of Market Data Exhibits
Embedded MPU/CPU
Exhibit 1: Total Embedded MPU/CPU Market, Dollar Volume & Unit Shipments, 2023-2028
Exhibit 2: Embedded MPU/CPU Market Segmented by Vertical, Dollar Volume Shipments, 2023-2028
Exhibit 3: Embedded MPU/CPU Market Segmented by Vertical, Unit Shipments, 2023-2028
Exhibit 4: Embedded MPU/CPU Market Segmented by Geographic Region, Dollar Volume Shipments, 2023-2028
Exhibit 5: Embedded MPU/CPU Market Segmented by Geographic Region, Unit Shipments, 2023-2028
Exhibit 6: Embedded MPU/CPU Market Segmented by Distribution Channel, Dollar Volume Shipments, 2023-2028
Exhibit 7: Embedded MPU/CPU Market Segmented by Distribution Channel, Unit Shipments, 2023-2028
Exhibit 8: Embedded MPU/CPU Market Segmented by Bit Count, Dollar Volume Shipments, 2023-2028
Exhibit 9: Embedded MPU/CPU Market Segmented by Bit Count, Unit Shipments, 2023-2028
Exhibit 10: Embedded MPU/CPU Market Segmented by Core Count, Dollar Volume Shipments, 2023-2028
Exhibit 11: Embedded MPU/CPU Market Segmented by Core Count, Unit Shipments, 2023-2028
Exhibit 12: Embedded MPU/CPU Market Segmented by Core Architecture, Dollar Volume Shipments, 2023-2028
Exhibit 13: Embedded MPU/CPU Market Segmented by Core Architecture, Unit Shipments, 2023-2028