Microchip's New Cost-Effective Low Power PIC® MCUs Extend Battery Life and Eliminate External Memory via 1 MB of Dual-Partition Flash

CHANDLER, Ariz., Nov. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, today announced the expansion of its Low Power PIC^® microcontroller (MCU) portfolio. Features of the new PIC24F "GB6" family include up to 1 MB of Flash memory with Error Correction Code (ECC) and 32 KB of RAM, making it the first 16-bit MCU in Microchip's portfolio to offer such a large memory size. Also featuring dual-partition Flash with Live Update capability, these devices can hold two independent software applications, permitting the simultaneous programming of one partition while executing application code from the other. This powerful combination of features makes the PIC24F "GB6" family ideal for industrial, computer, medical/fitness and portable applications that require a long battery life, and data transfer and storage without the need of external memory, such as electricity metering, HVAC control, fingerprint scanners and gaming.

For more information of the GB6 family, visit: http://www.microchip.com/PIC24FGB6-112315a

"Large on-chip memory is always desirable, and with 1 MB of Flash, our customers can eliminate external memory to lower system cost," said Joe Thomsen, vice president of Microchip's MCU16 Division. "This family also offers dual-partition Flash with Live Update capability, enabling execution from one part of the memory while updating your code."

MCUs in the PIC24F "GB6" family have Active current consumption as low as 190 microampsA/MHz, and 3.2 microampsA in Sleep mode. With the ability to perform over-the-air firmware updates, designers can provide a cost-effective, reliable and secure method for updating their applications.

The robust peripheral set for these devices includes a 200 ksps, 24 channel, 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC); up to 12 timers, six UARTS and USB-OTG to act as a USB device or host. Microchip Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) that run without the CPU are also integrated into the family, including a Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) for real-time logic control and Direct Memory Access (DMA) that enables faster throughput and lowers power consumption.

Development Support
The PIC24F "GB6" family is supported by Microchip's standard suite of world-class development tools, and the new PIC24FJ1024GB610 Plug-In Module (part # MA240023, $25.00) is available today for the Explorer 16 Development Board (part # DM240001, $129.99).

Pricing & Availability
All eight members of the PIC24F "GB6" microcontroller family are released for volume production, and are available within normal lead times. Pricing starts at $1.74 each, in high volumes. Product variants are available in 64-pin, 100-pin and 121-pin packages, with Flash memory ranging from 128KB to 1MB. The following family table shows all options: http://www.microchip.com/Table-112315a.

For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site at http://www.microchip.com/PIC24FGB6-112315a. To purchase products mentioned in this press release, go to microchipDIRECT or contact one of Microchip's authorized distribution partners.

Resources
High-res Images Available Through Flickr or Editorial Contact (feel free to publish):

• Chip Graphic: http://www.microchip.com/Graphic-112315a
• Block Diagram: http://www.microchip.com/Diagram-112315a
• Tool Photo: http://www.microchip.com/ToolPhoto-112315a

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About Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, 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, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at http://www.microchip.com/Homepage-112315a.

Note: The Microchip name and logo, and PIC 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.

Tags / Keywords: 1MB Flash, Dual Partition Flash, Live Update, USB, Low Power, MCU, Low Power MCU, Core Independent Peripheral, CIP

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SOURCE Microchip Technology Inc.