Latest MCU family brings ease of design with more CIPs

Microchip has announced the PIC16F15386 family, the most powerful launching point into their 8-bit PIC MCU portfolio. In addition to their current CIPs, this family includes a high-accuracy 32MHz internal oscillator and memory features such as MAP with bootloader-friendly write-protection to prevent accidental over-write. Device Information Area offers protected storage for unique device identification and calibration values. The family also offers a comprehensive, easy-to-use development experience with their MPLAB Xpress with MPLAB Code Configurator, the quickest way to generate application code. The family is suitable for a broad range of general purpose and low-power applications. The scalable family offers up to 28KB Flash and 2KB RAM in eight to 48-pin package options. It is claimed to be the first 8-bit PIC MCU family to offer the 48-pin package, adding more ADC channels and I/Os. The family offers high levels of CIP integration to perform system functions, such as signal generation, motor control, safety monitoring, system communications, and human interface, outside the core while minimising power consumption. The new MCUs offer IDLE and DOZE modes as well as Peripheral Module Disable power-management features to enable engineers to optimise the balance between power consumption and performance. The new family-specific Xpress series development board enables projects to start immediately. In only two minutes, engineers may start application code development with the Xpress series board and the cloud-based MPLAB Xpress IDE. The family is also supported by two Curiosity boards (DM164136 and DM164137) and the company’s free software development platforms including MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) and MPLAB X IDE. The MCC is a free software plug-in that provides a graphical interface to configure peripherals and functions specific to an application. For a limited time, Microchip is also offering free Xpress series boards. The family includes 13 unique products that are offered in various package options including PDIP, SOIC, DFN, UDFN, UQFN and SSOP.