Well-known advantages of the USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface for embedded design include compatibility with various devices, simplified communication protocols, field update capabilities, and power supply capabilities.

Microchip Technology announced on the 11th that it has launched the AVR® DU microcontroller (MCU) family to enable developers to easily integrate these features into embedded systems.

The AVR DU product family is the next generation of Microchip 8-bit MCUs that integrate USB connectivity and is designed to support enhanced security features and higher power delivery compared to previous versions.

Greg Robinson, Vice President of Microchip’s 8-bit MCU Business Unit, said, “USB is a standard communication protocol and power supply method adopted by most electronic products today. Microchip’s AVR DU family combines the flexibility of state-of-the-art 8-bit MCUs with the versatility of enhanced power supply to enable the application of USB’s benefits to a wider range of embedded systems.”

The AVR DU MCU is UIt supports a maximum power delivery of 15W on the SB interface, which is more than other USB microcontrollers in its class. This feature enables USB-C® charging with a current of up to 3A at 5V, allowing it to be adopted in devices such as portable power banks and rechargeable toys.
The AVR DU product family incorporates Microchip’s Program and Debug Interface Disable (PDID) feature to enhance defense against malicious attacks.

This feature enhances code protection by blocking access to programming/debugging interfaces and preventing attempts to read, modify, or delete firmware without authorization.

For secure firmware updates, the AVR DU family uses Read-While-Write (RWW) flash, and when combined with a secure bootloader, developers can use the USB interface to patch bugs, resolve security issues, and add new features without interrupting product operation.

This feature, updated in the AVR DU MCU family, allows for field updates without operational interruption, thereby extending the product's lifespan.

In addition, the AVR DU product family reduces overall design and Bill of Material (BOM) costs because it eliminates the need for a separate, expensive external crystal through its USB clock recovery function. Developers can integrate key device functions and system management tasks into a compact single-chip solution using core independent peripherals (CIP), which helps save board space and reduce design work.

As such, embedded system developers emphasized that integrating high-performance AVR DU MCUs into designs provides various benefits, ranging from fitness wearables and consumer electronics to agricultural and industrial applications.