16 Microprocessor Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for microprocessors as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 16 microprocessor manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked microprocessor companies as of April, 2024: 1.Yole Group, 2.TCS Ltd, 3.Intel Corporation.
Table of Contents
What Is a Microprocessor?
A microprocessor is a semiconductor chip that acts as the central processing unit of a computer, handling arithmetic operations and controlling peripheral devices. Its evolution from multiple chips on a large circuit board to a single chip began around 1970, with the first microprocessor debuting in 1971.
Modern microprocessors integrate functionalities that once required separate chips, such as memory, graphics, and various interface functions. This integration has significantly contributed to device miniaturization and weight reduction.
Uses of Microprocessors
Microprocessors are essential in a vast array of devices for computational and control tasks. They are found in computer systems ranging from supercomputers to consumer electronics like smartphones and tablets, as well as in a multitude of consumer and professional devices such as televisions, audio equipment, vehicles, and measuring instruments.
Principles of Microprocessors
Microprocessors function by fetching instructions from memory, decoding them, executing operations or control tasks based on these instructions, and then writing back the results. This cycle enables them to perform complex tasks like running spreadsheets, managing video displays, or controlling room temperatures.
How to Select Microprocessors
The selection of a microprocessor depends on its intended use, broadly categorized into personal computer and embedded system applications:
1. For Personal Computers
PC microprocessors are designed for high processing power and large memory capacity, suitable for demanding applications and data processing. They often support widespread operating systems like Windows, offering a wide range of applications and lower development costs, though they tend to be more expensive for mass production.
2. Embedded Systems
Embedded microprocessors are generally more cost-effective, with integrated functionalities like timers and converters. However, they have lower processing capacities compared to PC microprocessors and require specific software development.
Other Information on Microprocessors
1. Microprocessor vs CPU
While microprocessors and CPUs (central processing units) are fundamentally similar, serving as the central processing unit in computers, the term 'CPU' is more commonly used in recent times, especially to differentiate it from other types of processors like GPUs.
2. Bit Count and Operating Frequency
Microprocessors have evolved from processing 4-bit data to the standard 64-bit data today. This change has necessitated a shift from 32-bit to 64-bit operating systems, affecting software compatibility. Additionally, modern microprocessors operate in the GHz range, signifying their ability to perform billions of operations per second.
List of 16 Microprocessor Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- France
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Taiwan
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Microchip Technology Inc.
Microprocessors
Manufacturer Overview
Microchip Technology Incorporated was incorporated in 1989 and is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona. The company is a developer and manufacturer of control solutions for global markets including the automotive, industrial, communications, human-machine interface, and connectivity industries. The company’s products include microcontrollers, field-programmable gate array products, MOSFET and radio frequency products, and both wired and wireless communications products. The company’s services include wafer foundry and assembly services, test subcontracting manufacturing services, development tools for enabling system designers to program microcontrollers and processors, and timing system products.
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Analog Devices, Inc.
processor
Manufacturer Overview
Incorporated in 1965, Analog Devices, Inc. designs, manufactures, tests, and markets integrated circuits (ICs), software, and subsystems that leverage analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing technologies. The company provides data converter products, power management and reference products for power conversion, driver monitoring, sequencing, and energy management applications in the automotive, communications, industrial, and high-end consumer markets. In addition, the company provides digital signal processing and system products for high-speed numeric calculations. It serves clients in the industrial, automotive, consumer, instrumentation, aerospace, and communications markets.
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KLA Corporation.
Chip Manufacturing
Manufacturer Overview
Front Edge Technology is a supplier and manufacturer of advanced electronic components and solutions based in United States. Established in 1985, the company specializes in the design, development, and production of custom electronic products for various industries. the company offers a range of products, including embedded systems, wireless communication modules, power management solutions, and sensor devices. They cater to sectors such as automotive, healthcare, industrial automation, and consumer electronics. One sample product is the "FET-6000 Series" wireless communication module. This module provides dependable and efficient wireless connectivity for IoT (Internet of Things) applications, enabling seamless data transfer and communication between devices.
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Intel Corporation
Intel® Processors
Manufacturer Overview
Intel Corporation, an American company founded in 1968 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in the design and production of semiconductor microprocessors. The company's product portfolio includes processors, graphics processing units, software, wireless products, and various other items. These products find applications in education, transportation, financial services, retail, and government. The company offers customer services including technical support, software development, cloud services, security services, and research and development collaboration. The company has manufacturing facilities, research and development centers, sales offices, and partnerships with businesses and organizations across various continents.
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Rochester Electronics
Featured Products
Company Overview
Rochester Electronics, LLC is a manufacturer stocking distributor of end-of-life semiconductors and the broadest range of active semiconductors that is headquartered in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and was founded in 1981. The company caters to manufacturing services ranging from design, wafer processing, testing, reliability, and IP Archiving. These specifically include OCM, build-to-order products, process flows, and standard packaging creation. The company pivots on manufacturing and distributing semiconductors that are no longer produced by its original manufacturer.
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Nuvoton Technology Corporation
Arm Cortex-A35 MPUs
Manufacturer Overview
Nuvoton Technology Corporation, founded in 2008 with headquarters in Taiwan, is a semiconductor manufacturer that provides foundry capabilities as a manufacturing partner to fabless or fab-lite semiconductor companies. Nuvoton Foundry FAB offers a variety of technologies, including generic logic, mixed signal (mixed Mmde), high-voltage power management components, and embedded logic non-volatile memory. The company provides customized design and manufacturing services, including multi-layer mask and multi-project wafer production services. Nuvoton Technology Corporation's products and services are also used in sensors, biochips, and TVS.
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Renesas Electronics Corporation.
Microcontrollers & Microprocessors
Manufacturer Overview
Renesas Electronics Corporation was established in 2002 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Renesas is a global research, design, and manufacturer of semiconductors used in industries spanning automotive, consumer electronics, the internet of things, power & energy, and industrial sectors. Renesas manufactures both analog and digital products. Analog products include amplifiers, audio & video devices, data converters, PLC, and switches & multiplexers. Digital products include microcontrollers, memory components, sensors, wireless connectivity products, and others. Renesas also offers design resources such as kits, development tools, partner programs, and design tools.
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TCS Ltd
Original Equipment
Manufacturer Overview
TCS (NZ) Ltd has been a manufacturer of electronic products since 1998 and is based in Hamilton, New Zealand. The company is an electronic product development and manufacturing innovator providing LED message systems with digital displays, industrial communication protocols with wiring systems and interfaces along with embedded control solutions, RFID tags and RF insulators, PLC I/O protection, and industrial automation solutions to serve small and large industrial, agricultural, and commercial sectors.
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Acme Chip Technology Co.
ADI
Manufacturer Overview
Acme Chip Technology Co. Ltd., founded in 2008 and based in Shenzhen, China, is a distributor of electronic components that is ISO 9001 certified. Its products include sensors, power supplies, and optical inspection equipment sourced from several manufacturers, including Advanced Linear Devices Inc., Central Semiconductor Corp., and Fluke. The company also offers a large stock of electronic components, including obsolete components and old code chips that are always available for immediate shipment.
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Advanced Micro Devices, Inc
Processors
Manufacturer Overview
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Established in 1969 and based in Santa Clara, California, is a manufacturer and supplier of semiconductor solutions. The company's product range includes GPU Accelerators, Adaptive SoCs for Data Center, Adaptive SoCs for Edge, System-on-Modules (SOMs), and Laptop Processors. These products support data centers, artificial intelligence, and gaming. The company serves cloud computing, data centers, gaming, and embedded systems industries. In addition to products, it offers services such as ROCm Developer Hub, Vitis AI Development Platform, ZenDNN Inference Libraries, and Video AI Analytics.
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Samsung Semiconductor
Processor
Manufacturer Overview
Samsung Semiconductor is a Korean manufacturer of memory chips originally founded in 1974 as Samsung Semiconductor & Telecommunications Co. before merging with parent company Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.'s semiconductor business unit in 1988. Based in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, the company produces various memory chips for use in computers and smart devices, including low-power double data rate (LPDDR), NAND flash, and DRAM chips. It also offers large-scale integration (LSI) products such as display drivers, processors, and image sensors for integrating components or functionalities into a single chip. Samsung Semiconductor operates globally, with facilities and sales offices in North America, Europe, and Asia.
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Texas Instruments
Arm-based processors
Manufacturer Overview
Texas Instruments Incorporated was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Texas Instruments is a producer of high tech equipment for industrial, automotive, personal electronics, communications equipment industries. Texas Instruments designs, manufactures, and sells semiconductors to electronics designers and manufacturers in the United States and internationally. Texas Instruments operates in two segments: analog and embedded processing. The Analog segment offers power products, including battery-management solutions, DC/DC switching regulators, power switches, linear regulators, voltage references, and lighting products. The Embedded Processing segment offers microcontrollers that are used in fields such as electronic equipment and digital signal processors for mathematical computations.
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Infineon Technologies AG
Microcontroller
Manufacturer Overview
Infineon Technologies AG (Infineon) is headquartered in Neubiberg, Germany. Infineon designs, develops, manufactures, and markets semiconductors and related system solutions worldwide. Infineon’s automotive segment produces microcontrollers, discrete power semiconductors, IGBT modules, industrial microcontrollers, power and radar sensor ICs, SiC diodes, MOSFETs voltage regulators, comfort electronics, infotainment, powertrain, and security products. Industrial Power Control segment provides bare dies, discrete IGBTs, and driver ICs among other components. Power & Sensor Systems segment offers gas and pressure sensors, MEMS microphone chips, control ICs, and GaN power switches among others.
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Arm
Processors
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Yole Group
Semiconductor
Distributor Overview
Yole Group has been a supplier of marketing and performance analysis of semiconductor products since 1991 and is based in Lyon-Villeurbanne, France. The company provides market research, reverse engineering, costing, and consulting for various products related to the semiconductor industry and related fields to understand market dynamics and provide technology and strategy analysis on development, design, and impact. It also offers reverse engineering and costing services on various products and components, such as integrated circuits, sensors, displays, cameras, and batteries for the automotive, industrial, medical, and consumer electronics industries.
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Lingto electronic Limited
Microprocessors
Distributor Overview
Lingto Electronic Limited is a distributor of electronic components and wireless modules that was incorporated in 2022 in Hong Kong, China. The company stocks passive and active electronic components from brands such as Xilinx, Fairchild, and Altera, These include power management devices, logic integrated circuits, and electrolytic capacitors. It also offers wireless and GPRS modules, such as cell jamming detectors, vehicle tracking chips, and text-to-speech (TTS) modules. The company mainly markets to clients in electronic manufacturing, networking, and telecommunications operations.
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Microprocessor Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yole Group |
36.6%
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| 2 | TCS Ltd |
15.0%
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| 3 | Intel Corporation |
7.9%
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| 4 | Renesas Electronics Corporation. |
6.9%
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| 5 | Samsung Semiconductor |
4.7%
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| 6 | Microchip Technology Inc. |
4.3%
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| 7 | Texas Instruments |
4.3%
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| 8 | Nuvoton Technology Corporation |
4.0%
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| 9 | Infineon Technologies AG |
3.3%
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| 10 | Analog Devices, Inc. |
3.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the microprocessor page as of April 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- Renesas Electronics Corporation.: 21,017
Newly Established Company
- Renesas Electronics Corporation.: 2002 (22 years ago)
- Advanced Micro Devices, Inc: 1969 (55 years ago)
- Intel Corporation: 1968 (56 years ago)
Company with a History
- Texas Instruments: 1930 (94 years ago)
- Intel Corporation: 1968 (56 years ago)
- Advanced Micro Devices, Inc: 1969 (55 years ago)
Microprocessor Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
- Microchip Technology Inc.
- Analog Devices, Inc.
- KLA Corporation.
- Intel Corporation
- Rochester Electronics
Global Distribution of Microprocessor Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
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5 | 55.6% |
Taiwan
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1 | 11.1% |
Japan
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1 | 11.1% |
New Zealand
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1 | 11.1% |
France
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1 | 11.1% |
