Microchip Expands USB Portfolio With Fifteen New 8-bit PIC  MCUs

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CHANDLER, Ariz., Sept. 17, 2012 [NASDAQ:  MCHP] — Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, today announced from the DESIGN East/ESC Boston Conference the expansion of its certified Full-Speed USB 2.0 Device PIC? microcontroller portfolio with three new Enhanced Midrange 8-bit families comprising 15 scalable MCUs ranging from 14 to 100 pins with up to 128 KB of Flash.  All feature internal clock sources with the 0.25% clock accuracy necessary for USB communication, which saves up to $0.15 by eliminating the need for an external crystal.  Additionally, all three families are eXtreme Low Power compliant, with power consumption down to 35 μA/MHz Active and 20 nA in Sleep mode.

View a brief presentation on these new MCUs, here:  http://www.microchip.com/get/FKW3

The 14- and 20-pin PIC16F145X MCUs are Microchip’s lowest-cost and smallest-form-factor USB MCUs to date.  Available in packages as small as 4x4 mm and featuring a wide array of integrated peripherals, the three-member family enables embedded applications that require USB connectivity and capacitive touch sensing, such as pulse oxymeters, PC accessories and security dongles.

The PIC18F2X/4XK50 devices, available in 28- and 40/44-pins, offer a cost-effective, pin-compatible migration option for customers utilizing legacy PIC18 USB MCUs.  The three family members feature 1.8-5V operation, and integrate a “Charge Time Measurement Unit” for higher performance cap-touch sensing as well as measurement in applications such as audio docks and data loggers.

The full-featured PIC18F97J94 family is Microchip’s first to offer integrated LCD control, RTCC with Vbat, and USB on a single 8-bit PIC microcontroller.  Available in 64, 80 and 100 pins, the nine-member family offers a 60x8 LCD controller (for a total of 480 segments), which eliminates the need for an external controller in applications with large segmented displays.  It also integrates a real-time clock/calendar with battery back-up for end products such as home-automation/security panels, handheld scanners and single-phase energy meters.

“Today’s broad announcement demonstrates our commitment to innovation in the 8-bit MCU market,” said Steve Drehobl, vice president of Microchip’s MCU8 Division.  “No one else offers crystal-free USB microcontrollers from 14 to 100 pins with this level of integration and low power consumption.”

Development Support

To help speed development times, the downloadable and open-source USB Framework within the free Microchip Library of Applications (MLA) includes USB drivers for many common USB classes, including HID, CDC, Mass Storage, Win-USB and Audio-MIDI.  These drivers can be used with all 15 of the new PIC MCUs.

In addition to providing free USB software drivers and stacks, Microchip hardware development tools are available for purchase.  The Low Pin Count USB Development Kit (part # DM164127, $39.99) is available now, for use with the PIC16F145X family.  The PICDEM? FS-USB Board (part # DM163025-1, $59.99) is expected to be available in October, for use with the PIC18FXXK50 family.

Full-Speed USB Plug-in Modules (PIMs) are expected to be available in November for the PIC18F97J94 and PIC18F87J94, at a cost of $45 each, that operate standalone or in conjunction with Microchip’s existing LCD Explorer Development Board (part # DM240314, $125) and PIC18 Explorer Development System (part # DV164136, $165), respectively.  Further documentation and information is available from Microchip’s USB and LCD Design Centers at http://www.microchip.com/get/34BL and http://www.microchip.com/get/J4RV.

Pricing & Availability

Pricing starts at $0.50 each in high volumes.  The PIC16F145X family is available now for sampling, and volume production is expected in Mid October.  The PIC16F1454 and PIC16F1455 are offered in 14-pin SOIC, TSSOP and PDIP, as well as 4x4 mm 16-pin QFN packages, while the PIC16F1459 is available in 20 pins with the same package types and sizes.

The three-member PIC18FXXK50 family is available now for sampling, and volume production is expected in Early November.  The PIC18F24K50 and PIC18F25K50 are offered in 28-pin SOIC, SSOP, SPDIP and 6x6 mm QFN packages, while the PIC18F45K50 is available in 44-pin TQFP, as well as 40-pin PDIP and 5x5 mm UQFN packages.

Finally, all nine members of the PIC18F97J94 family are expected to be available for sampling in October, and volume production is expected in Early November.  The PIC18F65J94, PIC18F66J94 and PIC18F67J94 are offered in 64-pin TQFP and QFN packages.  The PIC18F85J94, PIC18F86J94 and PIC18F87J94 are available in the 80-pin TQFP package.  The PIC18F95J94, PIC18F96J94 and PIC18F97J94 are available in the 100-pin TQFP package.

For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip’s Web site at http://www.microchip.com/get/DB2T.  To purchase products mentioned in this press release, go to microchipDIRECT or contact one of Microchip’s authorized distribution partners.

Microchip Offers Two New PIC32 MCU-based Development
Boards, Making it Easy to Create 24-bit Audio Designs

CHANDLER, Ariz., Sept., 5, 2012 [NASDAQ:  MCHP] — Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, today announced two new digital audio mixer boards based on  low pin count 32-bit PIC32 microcontrollers (MCUs).  The DM320014, a USB digital audio accessory board, utilizes standard USB 2.0 Mini-B connectivity.  The DM320413, a digital audio mixer board, offers Apple? portable device connectivity.  These two development boards, each powered by Microchip’s PIC32MX250F128 32-bit MCU, enable audio and voice device development for a broad range of applications.

Both boards are designed for easy integration of digital and analog audio into the target application.  Key features include interfaces for digital audio via USB Mini-B or the Apple iOS interface, line-in and microphone-in for convenient connectivity to analog audio sources, such as microphones or instrument pickups, and line-out and headphone out, for line-level output and headphone connectivity.  Each provides an excellent starting point for a portable music player dock design.  Additionally, these features allow the mixing of digital and analog audio, utilizing the power of the PIC32’s advanced processing capabilities.  The development boards are suitable for applications in the consumer and automotive markets, such as consumer audio docks (including those in stereo systems), noise-canceling headsets, clock radios or A/V entertainment system sounds bars, as well as in automobiles that offer portable music player docking capabilities. 

These two new boards demonstrate Microchip’s commitment to making digital audio development easy with the PIC32 MX1 and MX2 microcontrollers.  They feature 66 DMIPS of performance, up to 128 KB Flash, 32 KB of RAM, USB, I2S interfaces and an advanced clocking scheme that provides the signals needed for the external CODEC while eliminating the need for a CODEC with a built-in PLL.  In addition, this series of MCUs offers an 8-bit Parallel Master Port (perfect for interface to an LCD), Microchip’s mTouch? capacitive touch technology support and numerous other general-purpose features.

To maximize the cost effectiveness of designs that need to decode MP3 files, Microchip is also releasing a Compact MP3 Decode Library.  This new code requires only 21 KB of RAM and can run on the PIC32MX250F128.  Utilizing these new boards and the available Compact MP3 Decode Library, designers can reduce development time and shorten their time to market.

“We have seen excellent traction for the PIC32 in audio applications,” said Sumit Mitra, vice president of Microchip’s MCU32 Division.  “With Microchip’s February announcement of the PIC32MX1 and MX2 series that features I2S CODEC interface, the demand has really taken off.  These two new digital audio boards make it easy for developers to take advantage of the PIC32’s audio features.”

Pricing & Availability
Both boards are available today, starting at $69.99.  The DM320413 is offered exclusively to Apple MFi licensees, via Apple’s authorized distributor.  The DM320014 is available for purchase at microchipDIRECT.  Microchip’s Compact MP3 Decode Library will be available by September 28 in non-modifiable binary (part # SW320012-1) form for $197, or $4,497 for modifiable source code (part #SW320012-2) on microchipDIRECT.  For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip’s Web site at http://www.microchip.com/get/LCWH.

Microchip Strengthens Parallel Flash Memory Portfolio
With High-Speed, Low-Power Devices

CHANDLER, Ariz., Sept. 4, 2012 [NASDAQ:  MCHP] — Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, today expanded its comprehensive Multi-Purpose Flash Plus (MPF+) portfolio with the debut of four new compact 256K x16 Parallel Flash CMOS devices:  the SST39VF401C, SST39F402C, SST39LF401C and the SST39LF402C.  Manufactured with high-performance CMOS SuperFlash? technology, these compelling low-power, 2.7-3.6V, x16 Parallel NOR Flash devices boast a split-gate design and thick-oxide tunneling injector for superior reliability and design simplicity.  All four devices help reduce engineering design cycles, and improve overall product performance and responsiveness, which enables a better end-user experience. 

Rich in advanced features, the SuperFlash technology featured within the SST39VF401C/402C and SST39LF401C/402C guarantees fixed program and erase times that do not deteriorate over time.  Ideal for consumer electronics, industrial devices, automotive, telecommunications equipment and embedded systems requiring low-cost and versatile updating of program or data memory, the devices deliver active current as low as 5 mA (typical) and standby current of 3 microamperes (typical) to extend battery life in accessories, sensors and battery-operated equipment.

“The addition of the SST39VF40XC and SST39LF40XC product families to Microchip’s portfolio underscores our commitment to the development of advanced memory technology and products,” said Randy Drwinga, vice president of Microchip’s SuperFlash Memory Division.  “We’re extending our high-performance memory leadership with easy-to-use, affordable solutions that encourage high-performance, innovative designs for a wide spectrum of applications.”
Pricing & Availability

The SST39VF40XC devices start at $0.69 each in 10,000-unit quantities.  The devices are available in 12 mm x 20 mm 48-lead TSOP, 6 mm x 8 mm, 0.8 mm pitch 48-ball TFBGA, and 4 mm x 6 mm 0.5 mm pitch 48-ball WFBGA packages. 

Samples and volume production are available today.  For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip’s Web site at http://www.microchip.com/get/3UTX.  To purchase products mentioned in this press release, go to microchipDIRECT or contact one of Microchip’s authorized distribution partners.