Microchip Technology (Korea Representative: Byung-Don Han), a global specialist in microcontroller, analog, and flash IP, unveiled new products in its 8-bit PIC16F(LF)178X Enhanced Midrange Core Microcontroller (MCU) family today at DESIGN West in San Jose. The newly introduced family includes on-chip 12-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), 8-bit digital-to-analog converters (DACs), operational amplifiers, and high-speed comparators, along with advanced analog and integrated communication peripherals such as EUSART (including LIN), I2C™, and SPI interface peripherals. Furthermore, this MCU enables industry-leading levels of advanced PWM control and accuracy through a new Programmable Switch-Mode Controller (PSMC). Through this combination of diverse features, the new products can increase efficiency and performance while reducing cost and space in applications such as closed-loop control of power supplies and lighting.

Thanks to eXtreme Low Power Technology (XLP), this 'LF' version of the MCU has operating and sleep currents of only 32µA/MHz and 50nA, respectively, which helps extend battery life and reduce standby current consumption. Additionally, this general-purpose PIC16F(LF)178X MCU is suitable for a wide range of applications, including LED lighting, battery management, digital power supplies, and motor control, due to its low power consumption and integration of advanced analog and digital functions.

Due to environmental concerns and 'eco-friendly' initiatives, there is active movement worldwide to enact new legislation regarding energy consumption. Designers using the PIC16F(LF)178X MCU can design high-efficiency products that consume less power. Microchip’s enhanced mid-range 8-bit core delivers better performance through a 32 MHz operating speed, fast interrupt processing via automatic context saving, instruction set efficiency through enhanced code density, and faster and more extensive direct port control capabilities. Available in 28 and 40-pin packages, the advanced analog integration specifications of these MCUs include an on-chip 12-bit ADC for implementing extremely small voltage measurements and mTouch™ capacitive sensing, and an 8-bit DAC for high-resolution voltage references. Additionally, the chip includes a high-speed analog comparator with a response time of 50 ns, a Capture Compare Peripheral, and interfaces for I2C™, SPI, and EUSART communication. Furthermore, these MCUs feature a 32 MHz built-in oscillator, 2 to 8 K words (3.5 to 14 K bytes) of Flash, 128 to 512 bytes of RAM, and 256 bytes of data EEPROM. The PSMC peripheral is a 16-bit pulse width modulation (PWM) peripheral boasting 64 MHz operation and advanced control capabilities.

Steve Drehobl, Vice President of Microchip Security, Microcontrollers and Technology Development, stated, “The PIC16F(LF)178X family integrates a versatile 8-bit PIC MCU with many analog peripherals,” and predicted, “Based on this high level of analog integration, designers will be able to implement a new level of intelligent functionality and flexibility in the ever-growing applications, including power supplies, power management, motor control, and the lighting market.”