Microchip Introduces New Low Cost PIC32MX1/2/5 32-bit Microcontroller Series

CHANDLER, AZ — Microchip Technology Inc. announces a new series of its low-cost, high pin count 32-bit PIC32 microcontrollers (MCUs). By blending the key features of Microchip’s existing PIC32MX1/2 and PIC32MX5 MCU families, this latest PIC32MX1/2/5 MCU series delivers designers the benefits of a rich peripheral set for a wide range of cost-sensitive applications that require complex code and higher feature integration at a lower cost.

With up to 83 DMIPS performance and large, scalable memory options from 64/8 KB to 512/64 KB Flash/RAM, these new PIC32MX1/2/5 MCUs are ideal for executing the Bluetooth® audio software required for low-cost Bluetooth audio applications, such as speakers, consumer music-player docks, noise-cancelling headsets and clock radios. Flexible, easy-to-use CAN2.0B controllers are also integrated into these MCUs, with DeviceNet™ addressing support and programmable bit rates up to 1 Mbps, along with system RAM for storing up to 1024 messages in 32 buffers. This feature allows designers to easily employ CAN communication schemes for industrial and automotive applications.

The new series boasts a wide variety of additional features, including four SPI/I2S interfaces for audio processing and playback, a Parallel Master Port (PMP) and capacitive touch sensing hardware for graphics and touch-sensing interfaces; a 10-bit, 1 Msps, 48-channel Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC); as well as a full-speed USB 2.0 Device/Host/OTG peripheral. To maximize data throughput, each MCU includes four general-purpose direct memory access controllers (DMAs) and two dedicated DMAs on each CAN and USB module.

In addition to their rich mix of integrated hardware peripheral features, these MCUs are supported by Microchip’s powerful MPLAB® Harmony software development framework, which simplifies the software development process by integrating the license, resale and support of Microchip and third-party middleware, drivers, libraries and real time operating systems (RTOSs). Specifically, Microchip’s readily available software packages, such as Bluetooth audio development suites, Bluetooth Serial Port Profile library, audio equalizer filter libraries, various Decoders (including AAC, MP3, WMA and SBC), sample-rate conversion libraries, CAN2.0B PLIBs, USB stacks, and graphics libraries can rapidly reduce the development time of applications, including Bluetooth connectivity, digital audio, consumer, industrial, medical and general-purpose embedded control.

“The smart peripheral mix and large, scalable memory options of this new 32-bit PIC® MCU series enables innovative solutions in the consumer, industrial, medical and general-purpose embedded control markets, at lower price points and with greater design simplicity,” said Rod Drake, director of Microchip’s MCU32 Division. “Additionally, our MPLAB Harmony software development framework makes it easy for designers to get their applications to market faster.”

Development Support

The PIC32MX1/2/5 series is also supported by Microchip’s free MPLAB X integrated development environment (IDE), the MPLAB XC32 compiler for PIC32, the MPLAB ICD3 in-circuit debugger and the MPLAB REAL ICE™ in-circuit emulation system. New development tools that were created to support this PIC32MX1/2/5 series include the PIC32MX1/2/5 Starter Kit (part # DM320100, $69.99), PIC32MX570F512L Plug-in-Module for Explorer 16 Development Board (part # MA320015, $25) and PIC32MX270F512L Plug-in-Module for Bluetooth Audio Development Kit (part # MA320017, $25).

Pricing & Availability

The new PIC32MX1/2/5 MCUs with the 40 MHz/66 DMIPS speed option are available now, in 64-pin TQFP and QFN packages and 100-pin TQFP packages. The 50 MHz/83 DMIPS speed option for this PIC32MX1/2/5 series is expected to be available starting in late January 2015. Pricing starts at $2.75 each, in 10,000-unit quantities.

For additional information, visit http://www.microchip.com/PIC32MX-Page-110314a