Microchip Technology Announces New Low-Cost, General-Purpose 8-Bit PIC Microcontrollers
Chandler, AZ - Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, recently announced a new family of low-cost 8-bit Flash PIC microcontrollers (MCUs). The 28- and 40-pin PIC16F722/3/4/6/7 (PIC16F72X) MCUs are capable of operation down to 1.8V and feature a 16 MHz internal oscillator; up to 14 Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) channels; communication (SPI, I2C, AUSART) and two Capture, Compare and PWM (CCP) modules; plus the mTouch Sensing Solution peripheral. The highly integrated devices are well-suited for a wide range of general-purpose applications in the appliance, industrial, consumer electronic and many other markets.
The PIC16F72X MCUs have an operating voltage range of 1.8 - 5.5V, with the low-power PIC16LF72X devices offering lower standby and other power-consumption specifications from 1.8 - 3.6V. Both variations feature a Timer1 Gate that runs from the internal 16 MHz oscillator, providing ease in conditional event counting and measurements. With up to 14 ADC channels, two CCP modules and communication peripherals, the MCUs increase design flexibility with the ability to interface with external devices such as environmental sensors, as well as provide additional system control and monitoring. The mTouch Sensing Solution peripheral makes it easy to add proximity sensing or capacitive touch-sensing user interfaces in place of mechanical buttons or switches, if designers so choose. Additionally, the mTouch peripheral can operate while the device is in "sleep mode," bringing further power savings to the user.
"The PIC16F72X and PIC16LF72X MCUs allow designers to integrate higher levels of functionality into a wide variety of cost-sensitive applications," said Steve Drehobl, vice president of Microchip's Security, Microcontroller and Technology Development Division.
"Building upon Microchip's leadership in 8-bit microcontrollers, this versatile, general-purpose MCU line enhances the usability and features of any product while keeping costs low."
Example general-purpose applications for the PIC16F72X and PIC16LF72X MCUs include: appliance (blenders, refrigerators, dishwashers); consumer/home electronic (toys, cell phones, phone chargers, electric shavers, vacuum cleaners); industrial (digital water heaters, security systems, HVAC control); automotive (car audio, remote controls, power seats, lighting control).
Development Support
The new MCUs have integrated in-circuit debug and are supported by the MPLAB IDE Integrated Development Environment, available as a free download from Microchip's Web site (www.microchip.com/MPLAB). MPLAB REAL ICE in-circuit emulator support is expected to be available in the fourth calendar quarter of 2008.
SOURCE: Microchip Technology Inc.