Low Cost USB PIC Microcontrollers from Microchip

4th June 2008

ES Admin

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Microchip has announced a new family of 8-bit PIC microcontrollers for USB applications. The PIC18F13K50 and PIC18F14K50 are the lowest-cost USB microcontrollers from Microchip and provide many features not normally found on inexpensive 8-bit microcontrollers. The new devices are supported by Microchip’s free USB software stack and free MPLAB IDE Development Environment, which provides a consistent development platform across all PIC microcontrollers.

More engineers are taking advantage of USB as a standardized interface, in combination with other serial-interface protocols. The PIC18F1XK50 Microcontrollers include I2CTM, SPI and USART interfaces, alongside USB 2.0, enabling them to transfer data between USB and other embedded serial networks. In addition, they provide a 10-bit, 9-channel Analog-to-Digital Converter and dual comparators with S/R Latch, giving users the capability to process a variety of inputs - from temperature and humidity to capacitive touch-sensing.

Additional features include a USB host-detection capability, where the MCU can be configured to enter SLEEP or any other power-managed mode when a USB connection is not present. The new Microcontrollers can also be internally or externally clocked with seamless on-the-fly switching, bringing further power saving options. With an operating voltage range of 1.8 - 5.5V, the Microcontrollers are designed for use with a wide variety of operating environments and power supplies, including batteries, USB interfaces or other power sources.

The PIC18F13K50 has 8 KB Flash and 512 Bytes of RAM memory, and the PIC18F14K50 has 16 KB Flash and 768 Bytes of RAM. Both devices have 256 Bytes of EEPROM for non-volatile data storage.

Microchip also announced two new development kits, to help engineers get started using the PIC18FK50 in their designs. The Low Pin Count USB Development Kit with PICkit 2 (Part number DV164126) includes populated and unpopulated reference-design boards, a PICkit 2 Debugger/Programmer, a CD with tutorials and other supporting materials. If a PICkit 2 is not required, Microchip also offers the Low Pin Count USB Development Kit (Part number DM164127). This kit includes the boards, CD and supporting materials only.

In addition, the PIC18F1XK50 family is supported by Microchip’s world-class development tools, including the MPLAB IDE, MPLAB REAL ICE emulation system, MPLAB ICD 2 in-circuit debugger and MPLAB PM3 programmer. The PIC18F1XK50 Microcontrollers are all available in 20-pin SSOP, SOIC, PDIP and 5 x 5 mm QFN packages.