Microchip’s New 8-bit PIC® Microcontrollers Combine High Integration, Low Power And A Highly Efficient Method To Implement Touch Sensing

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, today announced the expansion of its 8-bit eXtreme low Power (XLP) Enhanced Midrange Core PIC ^® microcontrollers (MCUs), with the new PIC16F1512/13 devices.

These new 28-pin MCUs offer a combination of advanced digital and analog peripherals, along with XLP for the extended battery life that many applications require. These features make the general-purpose PIC16F1512/13 MCUs ideal for a broad range of applications in the appliance, medical, consumer and automotive markets, among many others. Along with industry-leading active current down to 30 µA/MHz and sleep current down to 20 nA, these MCUs integrate a 17x10-bit ADC, EUSART, I ²C™/SPI, 2x Capture Compare PWMs, 7 KB Flash and 256B RAM.

Compared to other members of the PIC16F151X family, these two new devices deliver increased analog capability, including a 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with hardware Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD) support for mTouch™ capacitive touch sensing implementation. The additional control logic enables automated touch sampling, which reduces software size and lowers CPU usage. It also provides an automatic control of guard-ring drive and a programmable sample-and-hold capacitance to better match larger touch or proximity sensors.

“The new PIC16F1512/13 devices support a wide range of applications that require best-in-industry low-power modes, with the added ability to reduce software overhead and improve performance when touch sensing is required,” said Steve Drehobl, vice president of Microchip’s MCU8 Division.”

Development Support

The PIC16F1512/13 MCUs are supported by Microchip’s full suite of standard development tools, including the free MPLAB ^® X Integrated Development Environment (IDE), the MPLAB PM3 Universal Device Programmer (part # DV007004, $895.00), and the PICkit™ 3 (part # PG164130, $44.95) and MPLAB ICD 3 (part # DV164035, $189.99) debuggers/programmers. The PIC16F15XX MCUs are also supported by Microchip’s F1 Evaluation tools, including the F1 Evaluation Platform (part # DM164130-1, $39.99) and the F1 Evaluation Kit, which includes the PICkit 3 (part #DV164132, $69.99). Additionally, the MPLAB XC8 Compiler for 8-bit PIC MCUs is available. All of these tools can be ordered today, at http://www.microchip.com/get/NTJN.

Packaging, Pricing & Availability

The PIC16F1512 and PIC16F1513 MCUs are both available today for sampling and volume production in 28-pin SSOP, SOIC, SPDIP and 4 x 4 x 0.5 mm UQFN packages. Pricing starts at $0.58 each in high-volume quantities. For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip’s Web site at http://www.microchip.com/get/6WVQ . To purchase products mentioned in this press release, go to microchipDIRECT or contact one of Microchip’s authorized distribution partners.

Resources

High-res Photo & Block Diagram Available Through Flickr or Editorial Contact (feel free to publish):

• Photo: http://www.microchip.com/get/9PW8
• Block Diagram: http://www.microchip.com/get/82HD

Video Available Through YouTube or Editorial Contact (feel free to post): http://www.microchip.com/get/B738

Follow Microchip:

• RSS Feed for Microchip Product News: http://www.microchip.com/get/4VX4
• Twitter: http://www.microchip.com/get/MET5
• Facebook: http://www.microchip.com/get/S8KL
• YouTube: http://www.microchip.com/get/NN7N

About Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Ariz., Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at http://www.microchip.com/get/E7A4.

Note: The Microchip name and logo, MPLAB and PIC are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A., and other countries. mTouch and PICkit are trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the U.S.A., and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

Tags / Keywords: Capacitive Touch, Hardware CVD , Enhanced Midrange , Low Cost , Low Power , Microcontroller , Touch Sensing , XLP

Copyright Business Wire 2010