Microchip Expands PIC24 Lite Microcontroller Portfolio with Lowest-Cost 16-bit PIC® MCU Family

CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Microchip Technology Inc. MCHP, a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, today announced from the Embedded World Conference in Germany a new addition to the 16-bit PIC24 Lite microcontroller (MCU) family that combines eXtreme Low Power (XLP) technology, low price and low pin count packages for the most cost-sensitive consumer, medical, and safety/security applications. The PIC24F “KL” family features typical sleep currents of 30 nA at 25°C, and typical run currents of 150 µA/MHz at 1.8V. In order to optimize low-cost applications, these products include flexible peripherals, such as the Master Synchronous Serial Port (MSSP), which enables designers to configure either an I²C™ or SPI interface, as well as the Enhanced Capture/Compare/PWM (ECCP) peripheral that allows designers to customize for multiple PWM and input-capture configurations. The “KL” family of products is available in 14-, 20- and 28-pin packages, starting at $0.75 each, in high-volume quantities.

To view a brief presentation on these products, visit: http://www.microchip.com/get/QRFU

Today's manufacturers are under intense pressure to cut costs, even as they deliver more sophisticated, lower-power products. With its combination of features in low pin count packages, the PIC24 “KL” MCUs provide an ideal entry-level 16-bit solution for applications with lower I/O and memory requirements, such as low-cost electronic toys, electric shavers and portable blood-pressure monitors. The MCUs perform at up to 16 MIPS with a flexible peripheral set, enabling customers to differentiate their products in the marketplace while keeping costs low.

“The PIC24F ‘KL' family was developed for cost-sensitive applications that require 16-bit performance, extremely low power sleep and active modes, and low pin count package options,” said Mitch Obolsky, vice president of Microchip's Advanced Microcontroller Architecture Division. “Our new MCUs meet these needs, at prices starting at just $0.75 each in high-volume quantities, to cater to the most cost-sensitive applications.”

Development Tool Support

Customers wanting to get started on developing with the PIC24F “KL” MCUs can purchase the USB-powered Microstick for PIC24F 3V K-series (part # DM240013-1), which is available, today. This easy-to-use development platform features everything designers need to get started with PIC24F “KL” MCUs, including an on-board debugger/programmer and Device-Under-Test (DUT) socket for easy device swapping. At about half the size of a credit card, it is extremely portable, and can be plugged into a prototyping board. This Microstick ships with a USB cable, header pins for proto board use, and the PIC24F16KL402, and PIC24F16KA102 MCUs. It is supported by Microchip's free MPLAB^® Integrated Development Environment (IDE), and is compatible with all 3V PIC24F K-series MCUs in 28-pin SPDIP packages. This low-cost tool is available for purchase today, at http://www.microchip.com/get/4Q1T. Click here to view a video (feel free to embed on your site): http://www.microchip.com/get/LCAH.

Packaging, Pricing & Availability

The PIC24F16KL402 MCUs are available in 14-, 20- and 28-pin PDIP, SOIC, SPDIP, SSOP, TSSOP and QFN packages as small as 5 mm x 5 mm. High-volume quantity pricing starts at $0.75 each. Samples can be ordered today at http://www.microchip.com/get/W3HV. Volume-production quantities of the MCUs can be purchased today at http://www.microchip.com/get/4Q1T. For further information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site at http://www.microchip.com/get/TK5R. To purchase products mentioned in this press release, go to microchipDIRECT or contact one of Microchip's authorized distribution partners.

About Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. MCHP is a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Ariz., Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip Web site (http://www.microchip.com/get/LLVE).

Note: The Microchip name and logo, PIC, and MPLAB are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A., and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

High-res Photos and Block Diagram available through editorial contact or Flickr (feel free to publish):

Photo http://www.microchip.com/get/LR8C
Block Diagram http://www.microchip.com/get/RBAN
Microstick http://www.microchip.com/get/P1FD

Video of Microstick development tool (feel free to publish): http://www.microchip.com/get/LCAH

Presentation: http://www.microchip.com/get/QRFU

Tags / Keywords: Microchip, MCHP, PIC, microcontroller, MCU, XLP, eXtreme Low Power, low cost

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