PICmicro® microcontroller

In a continuing quest to provide broad connectivity solutions, Microchip Technology today introduced its PICmicro® microcontroller with an 18-volt/40 mA communication interface. Designed particularly for consumer and industrial connectivity applications requiring a cost effective communication platform, the PIC 16C433 offers a high voltage interface for electrically noisy environments and is specially designed for low EMI emission.

Typical applications for the PIC 16C433 focus on the appliance market (i.e., washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, etc.), industrial controls (i.e., as a sub-node to a CAN device-networked system), security and sensor applications (i.e., smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, etc.) and the consumer market (i.e., thermostats, photocopiers, etc.).

The small footprint PIC 16C433 device increases systems integration, allowing more functions to be combined into fewer components. Featuring a four-channel, 8-bit A/D converter, the PIC 16C433 is ideal for measuring analog signals (i.e., temperature, current or voltage) and provides an effective interface to the analog world. On-chip peripherals include an 8-bit real time clock/counter with an 8-bit programmable prescaler.

The PIC 16C433 offers up to 2K words of OTP program memory and 128 bytes of data RAM. Only 35 powerful single-cycle instructions, each 14 bits wide, with the exception of two-cycle program branches, are required. With the MCU and the Local Interconnect Network (LIN) transceiver functioning within a small 18-pin package, the number of external components required is minimized, thereby yielding higher systems reliability. Additional device offerings include Microchip's In-Circuit Serial Programming™ (ICSP), power-on reset (POR), power-up timer (PWRT), oscillator start-up timer (OST), power saving SLEEP mode, selectable oscillator options, a watchdog timer (WDT) with its own on-chip RC oscillator for reliable operation and transceiver thermal shutdown for device protection.

The device also features built-in LIN Bus protocol capabilities. The LIN protocol, which serves as a new communication standard, is a cost-effective small form factor solution that improves reliability in distributed embedded solutions. Microchip's full suite of development tools can lower development costs, increase development efficiency and reduce time to market. A LIN Protocol Developer's Kit will be available this spring.

Microchip Technology Inc., 2355 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85224. Tel: 480-786-7200; Fax: 480-899-9210.