Microchip expands 8-bit PIC MCU family with intelligent analog integration

USA: Microchip Technology Inc. announced an expansion of its 8-bit PIC16F178X enhanced Mid-Range core microcontroller (MCU) family.

The new PIC MCU family has increased Flash memory densities, intelligent analog and digital peripherals, such as on-chip 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs), 16-bit PWMs, 8-bit and 5-bit Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs), operational amplifiers, and high-speed comparators with 50 ns response time, along with EUSART (including LIN), I2C and SPI interface peripherals.

The PIC16F178X are the first PIC MCUs to implement the new Programmable Switch Mode Controller (PSMC), which is an advanced 16-bit Pulse-Width Modulator (PWM) with 64 MHz operation and high-performance capabilities. This combination of features enables higher efficiency and performance, along with cost and space reductions.

The new MCUs also feature eXtreme Low Power (XLP) Technology for active and sleep currents of just 32 µA/MHz and 50 nA, respectively, helping to extend battery life and reduce standby current consumption.

Low power consumption in combination with advanced analog and digital integration make the PIC16F178X MCUs ideal for LED and other lighting applications, battery management, digital power supplies, motor control and general-purpose applications.