Many USB-capable microcontrollers are optimized for applications in PC peripherals and consumer markets, rather than for embedded designs. Microchip’s USB PIC microcontroller family makes the benefits of Full-Speed USB available to a broader range of embedded applications that operate in harsh environments and only occasionally connect to personal computers.
Some applications that may benefit from these new USB PIC microcontrollers include industrial data-logging, timing and analysis tools; battery-powered handheld devices; and fire, security, home-automation and back-up (UPS) systems. The two new USB PIC microcontrollers feature 16 Kbytes of self-programmable Enhanced Flash memory, which allows field upgrades for end applications via the USB port. Microchip’s advanced Flash technology provides high endurance of up to 100,000 erase/write cycles and data retention of more than 40 years.