Microchip Technology has added to its 80-MHz 32-bit PIC32 microcontroller (MCU) portfolio with three families that provide extensive connectivity options (including 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, two CAN2.0b controllers, USB Host, Device, and OTG, and six UART, five I²C, and four SPI ports) and up to 128 kB of RAM.

These new MCU families are complemented by the company's free software stacks, available in source-code form, making it easier for embedded designers to add connectivity to their applications, plus several starter kits.

The demand for embedded connectivity continues to grow, forcing existing products to run more software stacks simultaneously. The new PIC32MX5/6/7 families are designed for such data-intensive applications. Designers have full access to up to 128 kB of RAM for simultaneous use with the Ethernet, USB, and CAN buffers. The integrated Ethernet, CAN, and USB modules have a built-in DMA interface to maximize data throughput. The latter ensures high-speed data transfer within the chip by bypassing the CPU and not using general purpose DMA channels.

The integrated 100 Mbps Ethernet MAC uses an industry-standard RMII/MIII interface to low-cost, commodity Physical Interface chips (PHYs). Additionally, each MCU has a unique, factory-preprogrammed Ethernet MAC address, which simplifies the manufacturing process. The result is economy and simplicity, with improved performance.

Flexible, easy-to-use CAN2.0b controllers have been added to the PIC32, which use system RAM for storing up to 1,024 messages in 32 buffers. Advanced filtering capabilities include user selectable filter-to-buffer mapping with 32 filters and 4 filter masks. All of these functions allow designers to adapt CAN communication schemes to their applications.

Microchip offers free TCP/IP and USB software stacks, including full source code, to further enable easy software development, quicker time to market, and lower cost. Available software includes two TCP/IP software stacks, along with libraries for USB Host and Device, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), multiple file systems, advanced graphics, and audio.

Migrating software across Microchip’s 600-plus 8-, 16- and 32-bit PIC microcontroller portfolio is facilitated with development tools, USB stacks, and TCP/IP stacks that span the entire range of PIC MCUs. Additionally, the new PIC32MX5/6/7 families are pin compatible with the existing PIC32 and 16-bit PIC24F USB MCU families.

Applications for the new PIC32MX5/6/7 families include: Automotive (aftermarket, car alarms, GPS); communications (point-of-sale terminals, Web servers, CAN-to-Ethernet-to-USB bridges); industrial/medical (automation, controllers, medical devices, security monitoring); consumer/appliance (audio, MP3 decoders, displays, small appliances, fitness equipment).

New development tools

The new PIC32 Ethernet Starter Kit (part # DM320004) was designed to facilitate Ethernet-based development, and the PIC32 USB Starter Kit II (part # DM320003-2, $55) is an upgrade of Microchip’s existing USB starter kit for the new families. Owners of the Explorer 16 Development Board (part # DM240001) can purchase a $25 plug-in module for development with the new PIC32MX5/6/7 families (part # MA320003).

Pricing and availability

The three new PIC32MX5/6/7 families are available today for sampling and volume production. 10,000 unit pricing ranges from $4.73 each for the PIC32MX575F256H, up to $6.55 each for the PIC32MX795F512L. Packaging options include 100-pin TQFP and BGA packages, and 64-pin TQFP and QFN packages. Click for additional information.