- PIC16F18877, the first MCU with ADC computation capabilities and the first PIC16 to adopt a new low-power mode

- PIC16F1579, the first 8-bit PIC MCU with four independent time-based 16-bit PWMs.

Seoul, July 21, 2015 – Microchip Technology (Korea Representative: Byung-Don Han), a global leader in microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog, and Flash-IP solutions, has further expanded its innovative PIC® MCU portfolio featuring Core-Independent Peripherals (CIPs) by announcing two new 8-bit product families at ESC Silicon Valley. With the increasing number of intelligent interconnect CIPs that perform functions automatically without a core, 8-bit MCUs are now widely applicable to a broader range of applications. Since these functions are performed deterministically and reliably in hardware rather than software, CIPs enable system performance that far surpasses typical 8-bit MCU performance while simplifying the design experience and reducing memory costs. Additionally, the two new product families are available in 8 to 40-pin packages, saving board space and enabling operation over a wide operating range of 1.8 to 5.5V. Both product families provide Peripheral Pin Select, minimizing EMI and crosstalk through flexible pin mapping and PCB routing. Representative applications in which these new products are used include consumer electronics, the Internet of Things (IoT), wearable technology, and safety-critical systems.

Four new products in the PIC16F1579 family are available in 14 to 20-pin packages and feature up to 28KB of built-in flash memory. They also include built-in CIPs that enable functionality in various applications, such as LED lighting and motor control. These products are the first 8-bit PIC MCUs to feature four 16-bit PWMs; the built-in PWMs include individual timers, providing flexible output and signal generation capabilities, including edge, center alignment, and other output modes. System communication is supported via serial interfaces for LIN and DMX connections, and intelligent analog integration enables signal and sensor interface functions.

The first 10 products in the PIC16F18877 family are available in 8 to 40-pin packages with up to 56KB of built-in flash and provide CIPs that enable functionality in various applications such as consumer electronics, IoT, and safety-critical systems. These products are the first MCUs to feature an integrated ADC with computational capabilities, allowing input and sensor interface functions—such as accumulation, averaging, and low-pass filter calculations—to be performed in hardware rather than software, enabling the CPU to enter sleep mode or execute other tasks. In addition, this product family is the first PIC16 MCU to extend Microchip's eXtreme Low Power (XLP) technology, which reduces power consumption during operation through IDLE and DOZE modes.

The new product family is the first 8-bit MCU capable of disabling peripheral modules, completely removing peripherals from the power rails and clock tree to achieve zero leakage power (0). Other CIPs, such as hardware limit timers, are combined to easily implement safety-critical functions.

"These two newly launched product families demonstrate Microchip's recent standing as a leader in the 8-bit MCU sector. Microchip continues to expand its innovative CIPs and intelligent analogs to deliver capabilities and performance that surpass existing 8-bit MCUs," said Steve Drehobl, Vice President of Microchip's MCU 8 Business Unit. "This product family also offers a wide range of intelligent and configurable peripheral options across various low-pin packages and broad operating voltage ranges, which exemplifies Microchip's 'Flexible Intelligence Made Easy' philosophy." "Microchip's comprehensive platform, consisting of software and hardware tools, is integrated into a single MPLAB® X IDE, making development easier," he said.

More detailed information about the PIC16F1579 and PIC16F18877 product families is available on the Microchip websites at http://www.microchip.com/PIC16F1579-072015a and http://www.microchip.com/PIC16F18877-072015a. Short videos about the product families can be viewed at http://www.microchip.com/Videos-072015a, and a brief product introduction at http://www.microchip.com/Presentation-072015a.

Development support

The Curiosity development board currently on sale (part number DM164137, http://www.microchip.com/Curiosity-072015a) allows for easy system design. The MPLAB code configurator is available for free download, and code can be generated with the click of a button. This configurator visually displays the MCU's peripherals, eliminating the need to read datasheets. Furthermore, it simplifies CIP configuration and provides immediately production-ready code, reducing development effort for both experienced and new users. Microchip's MPLAB XC8 compiler and standard programmer/debugger can also be purchased together.

supply

Information on availability, package, and memory options for the new PIC16F1579 (http://www.microchip.com/PIC16F1579-Table-072015a) and PIC16F18877 (http://www.microchip.com/PIC16F18877-Table-072015a) 8-bit MCU families can be found in the summarized table by clicking the links above. For more detailed information, please contact a Microchip sales representative or an authorized distributor worldwide, or visit the Microchip website (http://www.microchip.com/CIPs-072015a). The products mentioned in this press release can be purchased by visiting Microchip Direct or by contacting an authorized Microchip distributor partner.