Microchip 16-bit Embedded Control Design Contest - Circuit Cellar

Microchip and Circuit Cellar Magazine is going to launch the Microchip 16-bit Embedded Control Design Contest.

Developers may enter their 16-bit PIC24 microcontrollers and dsPIC Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) designs before the deadline at October 16, 2007.

Prize of the Microchip 16-bit Embedded Control Design Contest is $15,000, shared to the winners.

The first step is to request a free sample kit which includes:

• Four 28-pin 16-bit controllers with a wide range of features
• 17 bonus parts including some of Microchip's best analog, communication and memory devices
• Resource CD containing a full software development suite, including the fully-enabled Special Contest Edition MPLAB C30 C compiler, free software comprising application libraries, application notes, code examples, stacks, RTOSs and webinars, and coupons for steep discounts on five different Microchip development tools.

The primary prize categories:

• Winner 1: $5,000
• Winner 2: $3,000
• Winner 3: $1,750

Subcategory prizes consist of the following seven $750 awards:

1. Effective Use of SMPS Resources (for example, resources found on dsPIC30F2020)
2. Effective Use of Motor Control Resources (for example, resources found on dsPIC30F2010)
3. Use of Smart Sensing Methodologies
4. Connected (Communications) Applications
5. Effective Use of Peripheral Pin Select (for example, resources found on PIC24FJ64GA002)
6. Effective Use of DSP technology (found on all dsPIC DSCs)
7. Best Use of Bonus Parts (see list of 17 eligible Microchip devices, below)

The eligible Microchip bonus parts, which must be used with one or more Microchip 16-bit controllers, are included in the free contest sample kit and consist of the following:

• Analog:
  • MCP9700 Voltage Output Temp Sensor
  • MCP9800 Serial Output Temp Sensor
  • TC4427A Low-Side MOSFET Driver
  • MCP608 Precision, Dual Op Amp
  • MCP6022 10-MHz, Dual Op Amp
  • MCP6S26 6-Channel PGA
  • MCP3421 18-bit Del-Sig ADC
  • MCP4011 6-bit, Volatile Digipot
• Memory:
  • 24LC01BT-I/OT 1-Kb I2C(TM) Serial EEPROM
  • 24LC16BT-I/OT 16-Kb I2C Serial EEPROM
  • 24LC512-I/SM 512-Kb I2C Serial EEPROM
  • 93LC46BT-I/OT 1-Kb Microwire Serial EEPROM
  • 93LC66B-I/SN 4-Kb Microwire Serial EEPROM
  • 25LC010A-I/SN 1-Kb SPI Serial EEPROM
  • 25LC256-I/SN 256-Kb SPI Serial EEPROM
• Communications Peripherals:
  • ENC28J60 10BASE-T SPI Ethernet Controller
  • MRF24J40 IEEE 802.15.4(TM) RF Transceiver

For more detailed information about this design contest, visit Microchip Design Contest 2007 at Circuit Cellar website.