Embedded controller families allow for increased functionality and flexibility in computing designs

The MEC17XX and MEC14XX families of embedded controllers with eSPI, the host interface supported by the latest PC computing chip sets, are now available from Microchip Technology. Both families support the eSPI bus technology that is required for new, upcoming computing applications. The MEC17XX family is based on an ARM Cortex-M4F core and has advanced hardware-accelerated cryptography algorithms to efficiently support the secure boot of a computer. The family offers several additional features including two UARTS and an extended industrial operating temperature range that make the family ideal for industrial computing. In addition, Microchip’s popular MIPS-based MEC14XX family has been expanded to include functionality for supporting the new eSPI Slave Attached Flash (SAF) feature, which allows the Microchip embedded controller to be directly connected to an SPI Flash memory using an on-board master controller. “Microchip was the one of the first companies to support Intel Corporation’s enhanced Serial Peripheral Interface (eSPI) along with SMBus and Low Pin Count (LPC) interfaces,” said Ian Harris, vice president of Microchip’s Computing Products Group. “We have worked closely with our industry partners and our customers to continue to stay on the forefront of defining, implementing and validating new embedded controllers for computing applications.”