Microchip PIC32 Microcontrollers

Microchip is introducing 32-bit family of its PIC microcontrollers (MCUs). The new PIC32 family comes with stronger performance and larger memory, helps to solve complex embedded designs. PIC32 family is fully supported by Microchip’s free MPLAB IDE, and maintain pin, peripheral and software compatibility with Microchip’s 16-bit MCU/DSC families. Microchip also offers a full set of development tools, code examples, TCP/IP, and File System software all available with free source code.

Microchip PIC32

The PIC32 family operates at up to 72 MHz and offers up to 512 KB Flash and 32 KB RAM. The new family also includes a rich set of integrated peripherals such as a variety of communication peripherals, a 16-bit Parallel Master Port supporting additional memory and displays.

The new 32 bit microcontroller family is based on the MIPS32 architecture, with its leading combination of high performance, fast interrupt response, low power consumption, and extensive third party tool support. The high-performance MIPS32 M4K core can achieve best-in-class 1.5 DMIPS/MHz operation, due to its efficient instruction-set architecture, 5-stage pipeline, hardware multiply/accumulate unit and up to 8 sets of 32 core registers.

PIC32 Microcontrollers System Block

Key features and benefits of PIC32 microcontroller family:

• High Performance 32-Bit Microcontroller
  • 72 MHz, 1.53 DMIPS/MHz CPU core
  • Flash pre-fetch module, 256Byte cache
  • Single cycle multiply and divide hardware
  • Fast context switch and interrupt response
  • Atomic bit manipulation
  • 4 channel hardware DMA controller
• Integrated Microcontroller Features
  • Programmable vector interrupt controller
  • 16-bit parallel master port for adding QVGA & memory
  • 10-bit ADC, 400ksps, and +/-1 LSB
  • POR, BOR, LVD, Pull-ups
  • Multiple power management modes
  • 2.5-3.6v operation, 5v tolerant I/Os
• Microchip Development Tools Support
  • MPLAB IDE
  • MPLAB C32 C Compiler
  • MPLAB REAL ICE™ Emulator
  • ICD 2 In-circuit Debugger
  • MPLAB PM3 Universal Device Programmer (coming soon)
• Free Source Code and Code Examples, including:
  • 2 TCP/IP Stacks including BSD compatible
  • Web Server
  • FTP Server
  • SNMP Server
  • 16-bit File System
  • Peripheral Library Examples (I2C, DMA, Interrupt, NV Memory, Oscillator, SPI, Timer, UART, Watchdog, Power Management, etc)
• Industry / third-party partners offer compilers, linkers, debuggers, RTOSs (real-time operating systems), development tools, file system, networking middleware, and GUI packages. Complete tool chains are available from Ashling, Green Hills and Hi-Tech—including C and C++ compilers, IDEs and debuggers. RTOS support is available from CMX, Express Logic, FreeRTOS, Micrium, Segger and Pumpkin. Graphics tools providers include EasyGUI, Segger, RamTeX and Micrium.

Microchip’s PIC32 Starter Kit

The PIC32 Starter Kit is the easiest tool for first-time users. Inside the kit is everything you need to develop, program, debug, and run code. Once the MPLAB tool suite and project software is installed, follow the tutorial and you’ll be executing 32-bit code at 72 MHz in no time.

Microchip’s PIC32 Starter Kit

The PIC32 Starter Kit (part # DM320001) is available now at www.microchipdirect.com, for only $49.99.

The PIC32 Starter Kit comes complete with everything that developers need to get started, including the USB-powered microcontroller board, the MPLAB IDE and MPLAB C32 C complier, documentation, sample projects with tutorials, schematics, and 16-bit compatible peripheral libraries. Application expansion boards are also being made available, which plug into the expansion slot on the bottom of the microcontroller board.

Pricing and Availability

The first seven members of the PIC32 family come in 64- or 100-pin TQFP packages.

The PIC32 family is available for general sampling. Volume production for the seven members of PIC32 family is expected in Q2 2008.

PIC32MX300F032H which has 32 KB Flash and 8KB RAM in a 64-pin TQFP, is priced at $2.95 each, in 10K unit qty . The PIC32MX360F512L, with 512 KB Flash and 32 KB RAM in a 100-pin TQFP, is priced at $5.30 each in 10K unit qty.

Here you can learn more about Microchip PIC32 Microcontrollers