Microchip Technology Introduces the First 40 MHz PIC Microcontrollers

Microchip Technology Introduces the First 40 MHz PIC Microcontrollers With 128 Kbytes of Self-Reprogrammable Flash Memory for High-End Designs

    Business Editors/Technology Writers

    CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2005--

New Microcontrollers Have nanoWatt Technology Power Management and Four Serial Ports in 64- and 80-Pin Packages
    Microchip Technology Inc.(Nasdaq:MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced four new high pin-count, high-density members of the PIC18F family, offering its most cost-effective 96 and 128 Kbytes of self-reprogrammable, high-endurance Flash memory with up to 10 MIPS performance over a wide operating voltage range of 2.0 to 5.5V. These features, combined with nanoWatt Technology power management and a rich set of analog and digital peripherals, allow this microcontroller series to compete with 16-bit devices in high-end embedded applications while retaining ease of use and helping designers to preserve their 8-bit development tool and software investments.
    Engineers have a growing need for microcontrollers with increased computational power and larger program memory sizes, due to the transition of code development methodologies from Assembly to C language, and they would rather not discard their 8-bit code and development tools. The PIC18F8722 8-bit microcontroller series addresses these performance and memory needs by providing linear access (no pages) to a memory space as large as 2 Mbytes, while offering complete code and tool compatibility with smaller Microchip microcontrollers. In addition, the new PIC18F microcontrollers include nanoWatt Technology for reduced energy budgets and prolonged battery life, along with two synchronous serial ports (capable of SPI(TM) or I2C(TM)) and two asynchronous serial ports (LIN-capable USARTs) for expanded connectivity.
    "Microchip's commitment to offering the greatest breadth of Flash Microcontrollers is exemplified by the PIC18F8722 series, offering the largest memory sizes and richest integrated features for embedded control applications," said Ganesh Moorthy, vice president of Microchip's Advanced Microcontroller and Memory Division. "These new products, all of which include our industry-leading nanoWatt Technology, enable design engineers to retain their 8-bit code and tools while developing complex embedded applications."
    High-end applications that can take advantage of the PIC18F8722 series' huge linear-memory access space include: industrial (TCP/IP interface, home-alarm/security-system keypad, server power-supply and temperature controller, power-meter hub, warm-water control, central AC communication controller); consumer (wireless Internet-enabled appliance, swing-gate controller, hands-free cell phone adapter, cappuccino machine, two-way pager); automotive (car alarm); medical (bio flow meter).

    Other key features of the PIC18F8722 series include:

--	Two Enhanced Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitters for RS232, RS485 and LIN serial interfaces
--	Two Master Synchronous Serial Port modules, each supporting Master I2C or SPI interfaces
--	16-channel, 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter with auto-acquisition timing
--	Two Analog Comparators
--	Enhanced Capture/Compare/PWM modules with support for MOSFET (H-bridge) motor drives
--	Extended Watchdog Timer with prescalar options
--	Programmable Brownout Reset and Low Voltage Detect circuits
--	Software-selectable PLL options
--	8-bit/16-bit mode External Memory Access
--	Enhanced Instruction Set for improved C Compiler efficiency

    Development Tools

    The PICDEM(TM) HPCExplorer Board (part # DM183022), designed to ease development with these high pin-count, high-density devices, is expected to be available in February. The new PIC18F8722 microcontrollers are also supported by Microchip's world-class development systems, including: MPLAB(R) Integrated Development Environment (IDE), MPLAB C18 C Compiler, MPLAB ICD 2 In-Circuit Debugger and MPLAB PM3 Universal Device Programmer.

    Availability

    In the package options listed below, the four new PIC18F8722 series microcontrollers are available now for general sampling and volume production. For pricing or additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site at www.microchip.com/highpin.

    -- PIC18F6722 and PIC18F6627: 64-pin TQFP

    -- PIC18F8722 and PIC18F8627: 80-pin TQFP

    About Microchip Technology

    Microchip Technology Inc. (Nasdaq:MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com.

    Note: The Microchip name and logo, PIC and MPLAB are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the USA and other countries. PICDEM is a registered trademark of Microchip Technology Inc. in the USA and other countries. I2C is a trademark of Philips Corporation. SPI is a trademark of Motorola. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

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CONTACT: Microchip Technology Inc. Eric Lawson, 480-792-7182 eric.lawson@microchip.com or Reader/Literature Inquiries: 888-MCU-MCHP www.microchip.com/highpin

KEYWORD: ARIZONA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING PRODUCT SOURCE: Microchip Technology Inc.

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