In 2008, TechInsights published their Embedded Market Study. Over one thousand respondents listed their main criteria when selecting an embedded processor for their next design. Most important was the availability of software development tools followed by the chip’s performance. Microchip's ARM family of AT91SAM devices addresses every factor listed which includes a wide offering of development tools, high performance MCUs, support of popular operating systems, extensive software framework, the availability of an evaluation kit for each AT91SAM device, an extensive mix of peripherals and interfaces, and ultra low power devices.