Amidst ongoing demand for low power, cost-effectiveness, and ease of development in the embedded systems market, Microchip Technology Inc. has expanded its Arm Cortex-M0+-based MCU portfolio. The company unveiled the PIC32CM PL10 microcontroller (MCU) on the 2nd, targeting high-volume industrial and consumer applications.

The PL10 is an MCU designed around core-independent peripherals (CIPs), and has adopted a structure that reduces CPU load by processing repetitive or time-critical tasks at the hardware level.

Here, we considered the use in touch input and analog signal measurement environments by including a Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC) integrated with a 12-bit ADC. Another feature is that it supports CMSIS, enabling modular code configuration and reuse.

In terms of development environment, it provides compatibility with industry standard tools such as Microchip's MPLAB development ecosystem, as well as Microsoft Visual Studio Code, IAR Systems, Arm Keil, SEGGER, Zephyr, and MikroElektronika.

It is also configured to utilize MPLAB AI Coding Assistant, an AI-based code assistance tool.

Application markets include industrial control, building automation, power tools, sensor-based systems, and consumer electronics. The PL10, in keeping with Microchip's integrated MCU strategy, offers pin-to-pin compatibility with AVR MCUs, enabling migration while leveraging existing design assets.

Versatility was also emphasized in terms of safety and power design. The PL10 is designed to meet industrial safety standards, including ISO 26262, the functional safety standard for automotive electrical and electronic systems, and operates over a wide voltage range of 1.8 V to 5.5 V.

The Multi-Voltage Input/Output (MVIO) function allows devices with different voltage environments to be connected without an external level shifter.

Microchip's position is that this product offers existing 8-bit MCU users the option to expand to Arm-based MCUs while maintaining a relatively simple architecture. The company's full MCU portfolio and detailed information are available on its website.