Microchip Technology (Asia General Manager and Korea Representative Byung-Don Han) has released a new MCU product that enables implementation of customized hardware solutions without using external logic components.

Microchip announced on the 25th that it has released the PIC16F13145 microcontroller (MCU) family, a solution for custom hardware.

This MCU features a new Core Independent Peripheral (CIP) called the Configurable Logic Block (CLB) module, which allows developers to create hardware-based, custom combinational logic functions directly within the MCU.

Because the CLB is integrated into the MCU, developers can optimize the speed and response time of their embedded control systems without using external logic components, while reducing the product's bill of materials (BOM) cost and power consumption.

Additionally, the process of designing custom logic using these CLBs can be further simplified through graphical interface tools.

The PIC16F13145 family is designed for applications that utilize custom protocols, task sequencing, or I/O control to manage real-time control systems in industrial and automotive applications.

“Microchip’s 8-bit MCU business unit vice president Greg Robinson said, “MCUs have featured configurable logic cell (CLC) modules for more than a decade. With the introduction of the new CLB module in MCUs, Microchip is taking the next step in delivering a family of customizable logic devices that can now be utilized in applications that previously required separate programmable logic devices (PLDs),” said Dr. Li. “Few single-chip solutions on the market today solve the multiple design challenges embedded engineers face like the PIC16F131 MCU family. These new MCUs handle custom logic functions, minimize power consumption, simplify designs and make them easy to adapt to future design changes.”

CLB improves system latency and provides a low-power solution because it operates independently of CPU clock speed.

CLB can make logical decisions even while the CPU is in sleep mode, reducing power consumption and further reducing software dependency.

Additionally, the PIC16F13145 MCU includes a high-speed 10-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with built-in math, an 8-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC), high-speed comparators, 8-bit and 16-bit timers, and serial communication modules (I2C and SPI), enabling many system-level tasks to be performed without a central processing unit (CPU). The family will be available in a variety of packages, from 8-pin to 20-pin.

The PIC16F131 MCU is available now for $0.47 in 10,000-unit quantities. For more information, contact a Microchip sales representative, authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's purchasing and customer service website.