FPGA vs MCU vs SoC: How to Choose the Right Compute Architecture
A buyer's decision framework for choosing between an MCU, an SoC, and an FPGA before the architecture is locked and the cost becomes unrecoverable. Covers what each family actually is, where each one wins on latency, determinism, parallel throughput, power, and BOM cost, and how hybrid designs (SoC FPGA, MCU plus CPLD, soft-core CPU in fabric) split the work. Includes real per-unit and NRE cost ranges, the regulated-market surcharge, IP protection and the FPGA-to-ASIC migration path, the seven questions to answer before picking a chip, and the recurring mistakes that sink projects in week one.
