Microchip expands family of low-cost, small-package 32-bit PIC32 MCUs

embedded world 2012, CHANDLER, USA: Microchip Technology Inc. announced a new series of low pin count 32-bit PIC32 microcontrollers (MCUs) that provide 61 DMIPS of performance in packages as small as 5 mm x 5 mm, for space-constrained and cost-sensitive designs.

The PIC32 “MX1” and “MX2” MCUs are the smallest and lowest-cost PIC32 microcontrollers, and are the first PIC32 MCUs to feature dedicated audio and capacitive-sensing peripherals. These latest devices also feature USB On-the-Go (OTG) capabilities, making them ideal for developing audio accessories and other applications in the consumer, industrial, medical and automotive markets.

Rated for operation up to 105°C, the PIC32 MX1 and MX2 MCUs include up to 128 KB of Flash and 32 KB of RAM, two I2S interfaces for audio processing, an integrated hardware peripheral for adding mTouch™ capacitive touch buttons or advanced sensors, and an 8-bit Parallel Master Port (PMP) interface for graphics or external memory.

Additionally, the new devices feature an on-chip 10-bit, 1 Msps, 13-channel Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), and serial-communications peripherals, with the PIC32 MX2 MCUs adding USB OTG. The MCUs are offered in packages from 28- to 44-pins, with sizes down to 5 mm x 5 mm, and a 0.5 mm pitch. Further easing the design effort is Microchip’s Peripheral Pin Select feature, which allows developers to “remap” most of the chip’s digital-function pins, making layout and design modifications significantly simpler.

The PIC32 MX1 and MX2 devices are compatible with Microchip’s 16-bit PIC24F product line for easy migration, and are supported by the MPLAB X IDE—the single development environment for all of Microchip’s 8-, 16- and 32-bit MCUs.

“Expanding our PIC32 MX1 and MX2 family gives our customers more options to seamlessly migrate their ever-changing designs,” said Sumit Mitra, VP of Microchip’s High-Performance Microcontroller Division. “With 128K Flash, 32K Ram, the highest DMIPs per MHZ performance of any 32-bit MCU, and small packages down to 28 pins, the PIC32 MX1 and MX2 MCUs enable designers to differentiate their products in the marketplace, while keeping design size and costs low.”