Microchip Launches Low-Cost 8-Bit PIC® Microcontroller Combining Extreme Low Power Technology and LCD Control

MCU enabling low-cost LCD control with the industry's lowest power consumption

Microchip Technology (Country Manager for Korea: Han Byung-don), a global specialist in microcontroller, analog, and flash IP solutions, announced the expansion of its 8-bit segment LCD microcontroller (MCU) family by adding five new PIC16LF1902/3/4/6/7 (PIC16LF190X) MCUs. The PIC16LF190X family not only supports a wide range of general-purpose applications but also enables the implementation of LCD functionality in cost-sensitive, low-power designs. These applications include security tokens, smart cards, medical devices, consumer electronics, electronic keys, and all other applications related to segment LCDs.

These MCUs are characterized by eXtreme Low Power (XLP) technology, which reduces current consumption in sleep mode to as low as 20nA, and an average operating current of 35 microamperes per MHz, which maintains accurate timing through the Real Time Clock (RTC) and drives the segment LCD, thereby extending battery life.

Based on Microchip's enhanced midrange architecture, the PIC16LF190X family possesses all the basic specifications and performance while eliminating unnecessary costs for users by removing unused peripherals. These MCUs feature optimized specifications, such as up to 14KB of flash program memory, up to 512 bytes of RAM, up to 14 10-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) channels, serial communication, a temperature indicator, and the ability to drive up to 116 LCD segments. These new MCUs not only adopt XLP technology to maximize battery life but also enable the use of an integrated temperature indicator for crystal accuracy compensation, support for a low-power RTC, and support for low-voltage detection utilizing an internal ADC and voltage reference, making them suitable for implementing low-cost LCD solutions for various portable devices.

Steve Drehobl, Vice President of Microchip Security, Microcontrollers and Technology Development, stated, “The PIC16LF190X family is designed for all low-power segment LCDs or general-purpose applications based on the industry’s lowest power consumption characteristics and various optimized specifications.”

Development support
The PIC16LF190X MCU is supported via the F1 evaluation kit (Part No.: DM164132) and platform (Part No.: DM164130-1), as well as the PICkit™ 3 In-Circuit Debugger (Part No.: PG164130). Additionally, designers can access the full M, including the MPLAB IDE, MPLAB ICD3, REAL ICE™ In-Circuit Emulator, and the HI-TECH C® Compiler for PIC10/12/16 MCUs.