Latest 32-bit MCUs feature cost-optimised 256KB Flash and 83 DMIPS performance

Microchip has unveiled a new series within its PIC32MX1/2 32-bit microcontroller (MCU) family that features a large 256KB Flash configuration and 16KB of RAM in small-footprint packages. These latest additions to the popular MCU family provide flexibility to low-cost applications that need complex algorithms and application code, and they are coupled with Microchip's comprehensive software and tools for designs in graphics, touch sensing and general-purpose embedded control, says the company. The new PIC32MX1/2 MCU series boasts a wide variety of rich features, including up to 50 MHz/83 DMIPS performance for executing advanced control applications and mTouch capacitive touch sensing. Additional features include an enhanced 8-bit Parallel Master Port (PMP) for graphics or external memory; a 10-bit, 1Msps, 13-channel Analogue-to-Digital Converter (ADC), support for SPI and I2S serial communications interfaces and USB device/host/On-the-Go (OTG) functionality. Microchip's MPLAB Harmony software development framework further simplifies designs, by integrating the licence, resale and support of Microchip and third-party middleware, drivers, libraries and Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS). Specifically, Microchip's readily available software packages, including USB stacks and Graphics and Touch libraries, can greatly reduce the development time of applications such as consumer, industrial and general-purpose embedded control. Designers seeking to launch consumer products with capacitive touch screens, touch buttons or sliders, as well as USB device/host/OTG connectivity, can benefit from the functionality of the PIC32MX1/2 series of MCUs. The feature-rich peripherals of these MCUs are also ideal for medical and industrial applications, which also include displays with touch-sensing capabilities, in addition to general-purpose embedded control and connectivity capabilities. This latest PIC32MX1/2 series is supported by Microchip's free MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and MPLAB XC32 Compiler for PIC32. The MPLAB ICD 3 In-Circuit Debugger and MPLAB REAL ICE In-Circuit Emulation System (DV244005) are also available. In addition, the PIC32MX270F256D Plug-in-Module for Explorer 16 Development Board (MA320014) supports the new series.