Built-in 1MB of flash memory and 32KB RAM with ECC (Error Correction Code) function

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) today announced the expansion of its low-power PIC® microcontroller (MCU) portfolio. The new PIC24F 'GB6 ' family is the first 16-bit MCU in Microchip's portfolio to feature large memory, offering up to 1 MB of Flash memory with Error Correction Code (ECC) and 32 KB of RAM.

Featuring dual-partition flash with live update capability, these devices can implement two independent software applications, allowing application code to run in one partition while programming the other. This powerful combination makes the PIC24F 'GB6' family ideal for industrial, computing, medical/fitness, and portable applications that require long battery life and data transfer and storage without external memory. These applications include power metering, HVAC control, fingerprint scanners, and gaming.

“There has always been a need for large amounts of on-chip memory,” said Joe Thomsen, vice president of Microchip’s MCU16 business unit. “With 1MB of Flash, our new device allows customers to reduce system costs by eliminating external memory. Additionally, this family features dual-partition memory, which provides live update performance that allows code to be updated while execution continues in a different part of memory,” he explained.


MCUs in the PIC24F 'GB6' family feature exceptionally low power consumption, consuming 190µA/MHz in active mode and 3.2µA in sleep mode. They also support Over-the-Air (OTA) firmware updates, providing developers with a reliable, secure, and cost-effective way to update their applications.

Meanwhile, the device features a robust peripheral set including a 200ksps, 24-channel, 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC), up to 12 timers, six UARTs, and USB-OTG that can function as a USB device or host. Microchip's Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) that operate without a CPU are also integrated into the family, including a Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) for real-time logic control and Direct Memory Access (DMA) for faster throughput and lower power consumption.

The PIC24F “GB6” microcontroller family, comprising eight devices, is available in volume production with standard lead times. These devices are available in 64-pin, 100-pin, and 121-pin packages with flash memory ranging from 128KB to 1MB.