Microchip Technology recently announced a new series of low pin count 32-bit PIC32 microcontrollers (MCUs) that provide 61 DMIPS of performance in packages as small as 5 by 5 mm. The PIC32 MX1 and MX2 MCUs are the smallest and lowest-cost PIC32 MCUs, and are the first PIC32s to feature dedicated audio and capacitive-sensing peripherals. Rated for operation up to 105°C, the PIC32 MX1 and MX2 MCUs include up to 32 kbytes of flash memory, and 8 kbytes of SRAM; two I2S interfaces for audio processing; and an 8-bit parallel master port (PMP) interface for graphics or external memory.  The devices also feature an on-chip 10-bit, 1-Msample/s, 13-channel analog-to-digital Converter, as well as USB 2.0, and serial-communications peripherals.  The MCUs bring eight new packages to the PIC32 MCU product line, from 28- to 44-pins.

Further easing the design effort is Microchip’s Peripheral Pin Select feature, which lets developers remap most digital-function pins in the chip, making layout and design modifications significantly simpler.  The PIC32 MX1 and MX2 devices are compatible with Microchip’s 16-bit PIC24F product line for easy migration, and are supported by the MPLAB X IDE—the single development environment for all of Microchip’s 8-, 16- and 32-bit MCUs.

Microchip also unveiled the MPLAB starter kit for PIC32MX1XX/2XX MCUs (part # DM320013, $109.99), today.  The USB-powered kit features a PIC32MX220F032 with 32 kbytes f flash memory and 8 kbytes of RAM, as well as a 2-in. color TFT display (220 by 176 pixels), capacitive-touch slider and buttons, SD-card storage, and 24-bit audio playback.  Additionally, the PIC32MX CTMU evaluation board (part # AC323027, $24.95) is available.

The PIC32MX110F016B and PIC32MX220F032 MCUs are available in 28-pin SPDIP, SSOP, SOIC, and QFN packages; a 36-pin TLA package with a .5 mm pin pitch; and in 44-pin QFN, TLA and TQFP packages.  Pricing starts at $1.58 each, in 10,000-unit quantities.

Richard Nass