26-09-2024 | Microchip Technology | Industrial
Microchip Technology has announced Microchip Graphics Suite (MGS), an easy-to-learn, comprehensive solution for incorporating GUIs, animations, and images into a touchscreen display.
Developing a GUI can be complex and lengthy, demanding significant time and resources to debug and integrate code from various tools. MGS is designed to integrate with the company's 32-bit MCUs and MPUs easily and supports multiple development platforms, including MPLAB Harmony v3 and Linux environments. This comprehensive solution to building a GUI interface aims to aid designers in improving reusability across projects and simplifying design complexities.
The solution offers compositional tools, including a simulator for hardware-free prototyping. By leveraging the MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC), the simulator builds the MCC-generated C code in either web or native mode. In web mode, the tool creates an HTML file that can run on most web browsers with simulated touch interactivity. In native mode, the simulator allows GUI debugging on Windows desktop computers. These features facilitate accurate display and functionality demonstrations independent of hardware availability.
MGS provides an intuitive WYSIWYG interface with a modern design, allowing users to see and manipulate the final output directly, decreasing errors and increasing efficiency. To make GUIs more accessible, it is versatile and can support various devices of varying performance. They can range from resource-constrained devices with particularly lower memory and system performance needs to high-performance devices supporting tablet-sized touchscreens with high-fidelity video playback.
This solution is optimal for developers who want superior graphical performance without costly hardware upgrades. Also, MGS supports a wide range of displays, from monochrome OLEDs to 1080p 16.7M colour TFTs, including MIPI DSI, LVDS, RGB, SPI, and HDMI interfaces, along with touchscreens with 2D/3D gestures.
"At Microchip, we are committed to providing our customers with comprehensive solutions and cutting-edge tools that empower them to make high-quality products and get to market faster," said Rod Drake, corporate vice president of Microchip's MCU32 and MPU32 business units. "This innovative tool suite simplifies the process of creating engaging and responsive displays for everything from smart home devices to industrial equipment."
This comprehensive solution simplifies the integration of a GUI from the design phase to implementation across a wide range of applications. MGS is highly compatible with the company's broad portfolio of PIC32 MCUs, SAM MPUs, and maXTouch touchscreen controllers. Further, the company can supply other key components, including memory, power management, and connectivity solutions.
The suite is supported by various development tools including MPLAB Harmony v3, MPLAB Code Configurator and the company's mainlined Linux Distribution for 32-bit MCUs and MPUs.
