Microchip has a new application note for developers designing their first MCU graphics related application. It describes the definitions and terms relating to graphics applications, and discusses the theory, necessary decision factors, hardware considerations, available microcontrollers and development tools. This is a fairly comprehensive doc, starting out with the basics and moving quickly to complex […]
Tag Archives: microchip
App Note: Versatility of CTMU
This Microchip application note explores the many uses for the Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU). CTMU is a flexible analog module that provides accurate differential time measurement between pulse sources, as well as asynchronous pulse generation. Together with other on-chip analog modules, the CTMU can be used to precisely measure time, measure capacitance, measure relative […]
Microchip’s RE46C190 programmable photoelectric smoke-detector IC
Microchip has announced that its RE46C190 smoke detector IC has received UL certification. According to the datasheet: The RE46C190 is a low power, low voltage CMOS photoelectric type smoke detector IC. With minimal external components, this circuit will provide all the required features for a photoelectric-type smoke detector. The design incorporates a gain-selectable photo amplifier […]
Using the EUSART
The term UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) is the technical term for the good old serial port found on most MCUs. The term USART similarly refers to a serial port capable of handling both synchronous and asynchronous operation. Over the past few years, Microchip has been integrating an updated serial port into many of their […]
App Note: Grid-connected solar microinverter using a dsPIC® DSC
In this advanced app note Microchip details the theory behind converting solar energy into usable electric power. Starting with a discussion of the electrical characteristics of photovoltaic (PV) cells, they move onto the tech behind inverters and the mathematics involved with their proper design and use. Finally a microinverter reference design is presented, using a […]
Midnight deadline on MPLAB® X Beta Sweepstakes
Midnight Mountain Standard Time TONIGHT (March 31, 2011) is the deadline to enter the MPLAB® X Beta Sweepstakes! Microchip appreciates your feedback on MPLAB X and wants to reward you! Enter to win a variety prizes when you complete this sweepstakes form and you could win MPLAB X t-shirts, coffee mugs, playing cards and more! […]
Microchip introduces PIC16LF190X 8-bit PIC® MCUs with integrated LCD control
Microchip has announced an expansion of its 8-bit segmented LCD microcontroller (MCU) family with five new devices—the PIC16LF1902/3/4/6/7 (PIC16LF190X) MCUs. The PIC16LF190X family supports many general-purpose applications and enables the implementation of LCD into low-power and cost-sensitive designs, such as security tokens, smart cards, medical devices, home appliances, key fobs or any application involving a […]
App note: smart card communication using PIC MCUs
Microchip has released a new application note explaining smart card communication using PIC MCUs. This is a good read for beginners, taking you from the basics of what a smart card is, to how data I/O occurs and how to build a PC-to-smart card interface using the PIC18F14K50.
Microchip expands 8-bit PIC® microcontroller lineup with new 20-pin chips
Microchip Technology Inc., today announced an expansion of its existing 28-/40-pin PIC16F72X microcontroller (MCU) family with two new 20-pin devices—the PIC16F(LF)720 and PIC16F(LF)721. The new MCUs feature low power consumption, making them suitable for various low-power and battery-powered applications. These MCUs offer up to 7 KB of self-write Flash program memory, a temperature-indicator module, an […]
Chip note: MCP7941X I2C RTCC with EEPROM, SRAM, Unique ID and Battery Switchover
Microchip’s MCP79411 general purpose I2C™Compatible real-time clock/calendar (RTCC) is highly integrated with nonvolatile memory and advanced features including a battery switchover circuit for backup power, a timestamp to log power failures and digital trimming for accuracy. It can use a low-cost 32.768 kHz crystal or other clock source and the chip operates over a supply […]
Video intro to 8-bit PIC microcontrollers
Element14 has posted this online product training video as an introduction to Microchip PIC 8-bit microcontrollers. A good way for newbies to take their first steps using this inexpensive line of chips.
Microstick dev board for dsPIC33F and PIC24H
The Microchip Microstick for dsPIC33F and PIC24H is a DIP socketed development environment for the dsPIC33FJ64MC802 and PIC24HJ64GP502 16-bit digital signal controller and microcontroller. The board is USB powered with an integrated programmer/debugger, an onboard debug LED, utility LED and reset switch. Pin header spacing is 0.025″. List price is $24.99 from Microchip Direct. Check […]
App Note: CAN basics
The popularity of the Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol has grown exponentially since its introduction in the mid-1980s. Today it’s used in automotive monitoring and control systems, medical equipment and industrial automation. Also, more microcontrollers are supporting this protocol. Here’s a Microchip Application Note covering the basics of the CAN protocol.
Microchip expands 32-bit PIC(R) microcontroller line
Microchip Technology Inc. has a new, six-member family of 32-bit PIC32MX5/6/7 microcontrollers that provide performance specs of 1.56 DMIPS/MHz, and integrating Ethernet, CAN, USB and multiple serial communication channels, while offering more cost-effective memory options. Specifically, the family offers 32 Kbytes of RAM and up to 140 Kbytes of Flash. Additionally, design enhancements have been […]
Announcement: Open source PIC USB stack
Forum member Honken released an open source USB firmware for PIC microcontrollers. This is a major open source contribution, congratulations! Most PIC 18F2550 and 18F4550 USB projects you see on the web use the Microchip USB source code. It’s easy to use and free. There’s one big problem: Microchip uses a license that isn’t open […]
Microchip RF transceiver
William Dillon shares his project, including code, schematic and board file, for his RF transceiver based on the Microchip MRF49XA. Via Hack a Day
MPLABX C18 now available for Mac OSX
The MPLAB C18 Lite (mplabc18-v3.37a) compiler for PIC18 MCUs is now available for the MPLAB X Mac OSX version. Microchip released a new version of MPLAB X Beta IDE Beta Ver. 4.1 for Win32, as well. Thanks IPenguin! Via the forum.
How to write a flash bootloader for the PIC16 and PIC18
Here’s an application note with comprehensive information on how to write your own bootloader for the Microchip PIC16 and PIC18 families. Microchip also has provided a link to the code development software. Good reading for both the beginner and experienced coder.
More MPLAB X
There’s a lot of excitement about Microchip’s new cross-platform PIC development tool called MPLAB X. The Bus Pirate firmware (v3 branch) is ported to MPLAB X and compiling, check out the new Bus Pirate/MPLAB X developer documentation. There is also a wiki page devoted to everything MPLAB X. Arhi started with a bug report, and […]
Beta Microchip IDE for Linux, Mac
ahri tipped us to a new beta version of the Microchip development software for PIC microcontrollers, MPLABX. Looks like it’s Java based, and there’s Linux and Mac versions too. This will make a lot of people happy. Grab the preview here, and share your experience in the comments. We’re installing it now. Via the forum.