Microchip introduces two new PIC MCU families that integrate kern-independent peripherals for a wider range of applications

     Microchip Technology, a leading global provider of integrated microcontroller, mixed-signal, emulator and flash memory proprietary solutions, has announced two new 8-bit PIC microcontroller families, expanding its growing portfolio of innovative PIC MCUS with kern-independent peripherals (CIP). The new family combines more intelligent, interconnected CIPs to enable autonomous functional operation without kernel intervention, making it widely used. Because these functions operate deterministically and reliably through hardware rather than software, CIP enables the new product to significantly exceed the system performance of traditional 8-bit microcontrollers, while simplifying the design process and reducing memory costs.

     In addition, both new product families are available in 8-40 pin packages that operate at a wide operating voltage of 1.8-5.5V, saving board space. They also offer peripheral pin selection for flexible pin mapping and PCB routing, which minimizes EMI and crosstalk. The new product family is widely used in consumer electronics, Internet of Things (IoT), wearables, and security systems.

     The PIC16F1579 family has four new products in 14-20 pin packages, up to 28 KB of flash memory, and a CIP that enables it to be used in a wide range of applications, such as LED lighting and motor control. As the first 8-bit PIC microcontrollers with four 16-bit PWM, each with independent timers, these new products enable flexible output and signal generation, including a variety of output modes such as edge alignment and center alignment. The system communication function can be implemented through a serial interface for LIN and DMX connection, and the intelligent analog integration of the product family enables signal and sensor interface functions.

     The first 10 products in the PIC16F18877 family come in 8-40 pin packages with up to 56 KB of flash memory and a CIP that enables them to be used in a wide range of applications, such as consumer electronics, IoT and security systems. These new products are the first microcontrollers to integrate ADCs with computing capabilities, enabling input and sensing interface functions such as summing in hardware rather than software, averaging, and low-pass filter calculations, while allowing the CPU to go to sleep or perform other tasks.

     These new products are also the first PIC16 microcontrollers to use idle and snooze modes to enhance Microchip's ultra-low power consumption (XLP) technology, reducing operating power consumption. In addition, they are the first 8-bit microcontrollers that can disable peripheral modules, removing peripherals from the power rail and clock tree, thereby reducing leakage to zero. Other integrated CIPs, such as hardware-limited timers, can be combined to easily implement safety features.

     Steve Drehobl, vice president of Microchip's 8-bit MCU division, said: "These two new product families are the latest sign of Microchip's leadership in the 8-bit MCU market, continuing our continuous innovation in CIP and intelligent simulation, far beyond the traditional 8-bit MCU in both functionality and performance. The development of the new product family reflects Microchip's 'Flexible Intelligence Made Easy' philosophy, providing designers with a wide range of intelligent, configurable peripherals in a variety of low-pin packages and a wide operating voltage range. With our unified MPLAB® X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and the wide range of hardware and software tools that work with it, development is easy."