Six new 32-bit PIC32MX5/6/7 microcontrollers (Microchip)

Microchip Technology Inc. (Microchip Technology, Inc.) announced the launch of six new 32-bit PIC32MX5/6/7 microcontroller series products, providing the same integrated Ethernet, CAN, USB and serial connection peripherals with new and more cost-effective storage capacity options. In addition, after design improvements, the operating current can be as low as 0.5 mA/MHz, reducing power consumption; the flash memory can withstand up to 20,000 read/write cycles; and the EEPROM emulation capability is better. At the same time, by maintaining common pin positions, the PIC32 product line provides designers with a seamless migration path for high-performance applications that balance storage capacity and cost.

Embedded designers are constantly looking for ways to reduce costs without sacrificing performance or functionality. Microchip's latest 80 MHz PIC32 series microcontroller family maintains the best performance of 1.56 DMIPS/MHz and integrates Ethernet, CAN, USB and multiple serial communication channels while providing more cost-effective memory capacity options to meet these needs. Specifically, the family offers 32 KB of RAM and up to 140 KB of flash memory.

“We are committed to building on the success of our PIC32 product line with six new MCUs, each available in five different pin-compatible packages,” said Sumit Mitra, vice president of Microchip’s High-Performance MCU Division. “These new high-performance, connectivity-rich MCUs provide customers with low-cost memory density options that enable scalability and seamless migration to the rest of our growing 32-bit product line.”

“Microchip has maximized the raw performance of the MIPS32 M4K core while leveraging its flexibility to create a 32-bit microcontroller architecture that exceeds demanding embedded design requirements,” said Art Swift, vice president of marketing and business development at MIPS Technologies. “Microchip is delivering great value to designers with the price/performance of this new PIC32 family and its broad integrated peripheral set.”

Example applications for this new PIC32 family include: communications (POS, web servers and multi-protocol bridges), industrial/medical (automation control, medical equipment and security monitoring), consumer/appliances (audio, MP3 decoders, displays, small appliances and fitness equipment), and automotive (aftermarket, car alarms and GPS).

Development tool support

The PIC32 Ethernet Starter Kit (Part #DM320004) makes Ethernet-based development easy, while the PIC32 USB Starter Kit II (Part #DM320003-2) makes USB designs easy. Users of the Explorer 16 Development Board (Part #DM240001) can purchase a plug-in module (Part #MA320003) to develop with the new PIC32 family.

Availability

All six members of the new PIC32MX5/6/7 family are available now in samples and volume production quantities. In addition, all six members are available in 100-pin TQFP 12x12mm, TQFP 14x14mm and BGA packages, as well as 64-pin TQFP and QFN packages.