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In This Issue...
1. 8-pin Microcontroller Features 2. The MCP6286 Operational

3.5 kB Self-Programmable Flash Memory Amplifier Offers Ultra Low Noise and Low Power In Small Packaging

8-pin Microcontroller Features 3.5 kB Self-Programmable Flash Memory


MCU Enables Higher-Performing Designs in a Variety of Applications
Microchip has introduced a new member of its popular 8- and 14-pin PIC16F61X 8-bit PIC microcontroller (MCU) family, targeting cost-effective general-purpose applications. The PIC12F617 MCU features 3.5 kB of selfprogrammable Flash program memory, and peripherals such as a 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), comparator, Pulse-Width Modulator (PWM) and Vref for closed-loop-control applications all in a miniature 3 x3mm DFN package. The new MCU provides an excellent migration path for customers using previous-generation 8-pin PIC MCUs who wish to upgrade to a larger-memory, more peripheral-rich MCU for future designs. This product is well-suited for a variety of general-purpose applications in the consumer, appliance, industrial, medical and other markets. The PIC12F617 MCU provides 3.5 kB of Flash programmable memory with a self read-write capability. This serves as a low-cost alternative to data EEPROM and is useful when an application requires remote updates, or the ability to store system data or look-up tables. The microcontroller features an 8 MHz internal oscillator, an on-chip 4-channel 10-bit ADC, a comparator with hysteresis and a PWM with complementary outputs that provide a framework for applications such as LED lighting control, motor control, capacitive touch keys and system monitors. Along with this new product introduction, Microchip also announced a price reduction on the rest of the PIC16F61X family members, including the PIC12F609, PIC12F615, PIC16F610, PIC16F616 MCUs, and their corresponding high-voltage variants. Microchips complete suite of standard development tools can be used with the PIC12F617 MCU, including the user-friendly and free MPLAB IDE, along with the HI-TECH C compiler for PIC12 MCUs. The HI-TECH C Lite edition is a completely free, fullyfunctional compiler with no time limitations. For applications with limited program space, the Standard and PRO editions offer denser code and improved performance. Additionally, there is a variety of debugging hardware, from the popular PICkit 3 In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer ($44.95), to the MPLAB ICD 3 In-Circuit Debugger ($219.99), MPLAB PM3 Universal Device Programmer ($895), and MPLAB REAL ICE In-Circuit Emulator ($495.00). The MPLAB ICD 8- and 14-pin Debugging Header (part #AC162083, $35) is required for debugging the PIC16F616 and PIC12F617 devices. DFN packages, starting at $0.56 each, in 10,000-unit quantities. The PIC12F609 and PIC12F615 MCUs are available in 8-pin SOIC packages, for $0.49 and $0.52 each, respectively, in 10,000-unit quantities. The PIC16F610 and PIC16F616 MCUs are available in 14-pin SOIC packages, for $0.56 and $0.65 each, respectively, in 10,000-unit quantities.
For more information, visit: http://www.microchip.com/8bit

Microchip Delivers Eight Billionth PIC Microcontroller


on

3. Feature Your Cool Demo Software

PIC18 Starter Kit

4. Popular Digital Power Seminar

Comes to Europe

With Texas A & M University for Undergraduate Research, Design Projects & Engineering Labs Looking for More RAM? Join the Microchip Community on Your Favorite Websites
6 Microchip Awards Round - up Need Low Power Analog? 7 Third Party Spotlight: RoweBots 8. Interact 9. Looking
with

5. Microchip Technology Partners

Tube

Microchip at MCHP

to Enhance Your Embedded Control Designs?

10. Microchip Around Town:

APEC 2010 IIC China Conference & E xhibition


11. Microchip Around Town: 12. Microchip Around Town:

World Meter Design Congress Embedded World


in

13. New

to microchipDIRECT

14. Whats New

Literature?

Microchip

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2 0 1 0

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGYS microSOLUTIONS Monthly E-newsletter - February 2010

The MCP6286 Operational Amplifier Offers Ultra Low Noise and Low Power In Small Packaging
System designers have many choices when it comes to selecting operational amplifiers. Manufacturers offer a huge variety of op amps specializing in high speed, low power, high precision, low input leakage, low noise or high output drive just to name a few. But most of todays applications require some combination of these features, and thats what sets the MCP6286 apart from the rest. The MCP6286 single operational amplifier offers low noise (5.4 nV/Hz) and low power (540 A typical) with a gain bandwidth product of 3.5 MHz, all in a 5-pin SOT-23 package. Are there lower noise amplifiers on the markets? Yep. Are there lower power amplifiers on the market? You bet. But for those applications that require a low noise amplifier and need to be power conscious, the MCP6286 offers a best in class solution. These features make the MCP6286 well suited for single-supply, low noise, battery powered applications, such as noise-cancellation headphones or a microphone pre-amp on portable devices. In either case, noise becomes a critical specification. For an amplifier, an easy way to get a lower noise design is to simply consume more current in the input stage. But wait, a portable audio device or noise cancellation headphones are battery powered, and the system designer has a really tight power budget. Hence a low power amplifier is a must, and that is where the MCP6286 come into play. In order to speed development time, Microchip offers a blank PCB that makes evaluating the MCP6286 a snap. The SOT23-5/6 board (VSUPEV2) offers testpoint connections for each pin along with pads for supporting passive components such as power supply filtering, output filtering and bypass capacitors.

Microchip Delivers Eight Billionth PIC Microcontroller


Security Products Manufacturer PST Takes Delivery of Eight Billionth PIC Microcontroller.
Microchip has announced the shipment of its eight billionth PIC microcontroller (MCU) to Brazil-based security products manufacturer PST Electronics. Microchip delivered this eight billionth microcontroller, the PIC12F509T-I/MS 8-bit MCU, just over a year after delivering its seven billionth. This announcement demonstrates the industrys continued acceptance of Microchips 8, 16 and 32-bit PIC microcontrollers as the high-performance, cost-effective solution for embedded-control designs, and offers further evidence of the Companys continued strong growth throughout Latin America. A Microchip customer for more than 15 years, PST is the second largest manufacturer of auto alarms in the world. PST has won numerous awards, including 2009 worldwide electronics supplier of the year from General Motors. PST uses a broad line of embedded-control solutions from Microchip, including PIC microcontrollers, serial EEPROM non-volatile memory, and analog and interface semiconductors.
For more information, visit Microchips Web Site at www.microchip.com

For more information on the MCP6286 operational amplifier, visit: http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices. aspx?dDocName=en544164

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MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGYS microSOLUTIONS Monthly E-newsletter - February 2010

Feature Your Cool Demo Software on the PIC18 Starter Kit


Share your creative ideas on how to showcase the USB, touch sensing, accelerometer and OLED display on the new PIC18 Starter Kit. USB Touch Sensing Low Power SD Memory Card Accelerometer OLED Display
Get Your Code Featured: 1) Use the PIC18 Starter Kit from Microchip to develop cool new demos. 2) Submit your code by June 30th, 2010 to PIC18starter@microchip.com. Include your name, company name and a short description of the demo. 3) Several winners will be chosen. Their demo code will be included on the SD card that ships with the next version of the PIC18 Starter Kit and will be available for download on the www.microchip.com/PIC18starter website! Your name and company name can be included.

About the PIC18 Starter Kit:


Functions as a USB mouse, joystick or mass storage device all using the on-board capacitive touch sense pads Includes a MicroSD memory card, potentiometer, acceleration sensor and OLED display On-board debugger and programming Completely USB-powered Demonstrates PIC18 Family: - PIC18F46J50 8-bit MCU - 64 KB Flash and 4 KB RAM - nanoWatt XLP for extreme low power - mTouch capacitive touch sensing - USB communication Microchips FREE downloadable USB bootloader and software framework available at: www.microchip.com/USB

Submission Restrictions: 1) Code runs without modifications to board. 2) Code should be loadable using the SD card bootloader. 3) Demo cannot destroy, delete or format the existing SD card data. It can read, write and erase files that the demo itself creates but should not touch the other files. 4) Code must be functional and deemed relevant and appropriate to be featured on the PIC18 Starter Kit. All winners will be notified by August 15th, 2010.
For additional terms and conditions, visit: www.microchip.com/PIC18starter
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MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGYS microSOLUTIONS Monthly E-newsletter - February 2010

Popular Digital Power Seminar Comes to Europe


Learn how to bring the benefits of digital power conversion including higher performance, lower system cost and accelerated innovation to your product.
The Microchip Digital Power Seminar is a technical training event developed for hardware, software, and system engineers who develop power conversion products. Typical Digital Power applications include AC to DC converters, DC to DC converters, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), Renewable Power/Pure Sine Wave Inverters, Battery Chargers, HID lighting, Fluorescent lighting and LED lighting. Traditional power conversion designs use analog ICs with fixed functionality to provide regulated power. Digital power integrates a microcontroller (MCU) or digital signal controller (DSC) for a fully programmable and flexible solution. This seminar provides a focus on full digital control where the digital control replaces the standard analog control loop design and also provides the power management functions. The full digital solution allows the designer to employ techniques that are not possible with the analog solution, including proprietary digital compensation algorithms and non-linear control techniques. Register today at: www.microchip.com/DPS

Microchip Digital Power Seminars


Location
Austria, Wels Denmark, Copenhagen France, Lyon France, Paris Germany, Haan Germany, Ismaning Germany, Pforzheim Italy, Milan Portugal, Lisbon Spain, Barcelona Spain, Madrid United Kingdom, Winnersh

Date
February 16, 2010 February 25, 2010 March 16, 2010 March 18, 2010 February 18, 2010 February 23, 2010 February 24, 2010 February 25, 2010 March 23, 2010 March 11, 2010 March 9, 2010 February 16, 2010

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MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGYS microSOLUTIONS Monthly E-newsletter - February 2010

Microchip Technology Partners With Texas A & M University for Undergraduate Research, Design Projects & Engineering Labs
Microchip has partnered with Texas A & M University for undergraduate research, design projects, and engineering labs within the Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering Technology (EET/TET) Programs in the College of Engineering. Microchip Academic Partners receive access to free software, free product samples and access to technical resources that make it easy for educators to provide hands-on learning in engineering labs around the globe. In addition to its free MPLAB and HI-TECH C Compilers for all PIC microcontrollers, Microchip provides low-cost, easy-to-use starter kits for students to utilize in their senior projects, as well as turnkey curriculum for educators. Dr. Jay Porter, Professor and EET/TET Program Director and Dr. Joseph Morgan, Professor and Mobile Integrated Solutions Laboratory (MISL) Director with Texas A & M University have led the integration of Microchip Technology into the EET/TET curricula over the past two years. In addition to using a wide variety of PIC microcontrollers in undergraduate courses and laboratories, the faculty has developed a series of robotics workshops that have been used for recruitment and outreach to high-school and middle-school students. The workshops not only introduce students to the mechanical aspects of robotics, but also expose them to the fundamentals of microcontrollers, sensors and autonomous control software.

Join the Community!

Facebook Fan Pages (click on the name to view) Microchip Technology Inc. Fan Site Microchip En Espanol PIC32 Regional Training Centers Academic Support Fan Site

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MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGYS microSOLUTIONS Monthly E-newsletter - February 2010

Microchip Awards Round-Up


Microchip has recently been recognized by global electronics industry publications for product leadership. EDN magazine named three of Microchips products to their 2009 Hot 100 list of the most significant new electronic products. The PIC32MX5/6/7 32-bit microcontroller families were named in the Microcontrollers and Processors category; the dsPIC33F GS series-based AC/ DC reference design was named in the Power category; and the MCP651/2/5 offset-voltage-corrected operational amplifiers were named in the Analog ICs category. The PIC32MX5/6/7 32-bit microcontrollers operate at 80 MHz and combine up to 128 Kbytes of RAM with extensive connectivity options, including 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, two CAN2.0b controllers, USB Host, Device and OTG, and 6 UART, 5 I2C and 4 SPI ports. Microchips AC/DC Reference Design is based on the new dsPIC33F GS series of Digital Signal Controllers for digital power conversion. This reference design demonstrates how digital-power techniques are applied to reduce component count, lower product cost, eliminate oversized components and incorporate topology flexibility to innovate the best solution for the application. The MCP651/2/5 operational amplifiers are the worlds first and only to include mCal, an on-chip, one-shot calibration circuit that is active upon powerup or controlled via an external hardware pin. The result is a low initial voltage offset and a means to minimize drift over time and temperature, which are extremely important for applications involving instrumentation and sensor conditioning. The mCal circuitry eliminates the need for external calibrating components and minimizes software complexity by offering simple, single-pin hardware control of the calibration. Microchips PIC16C84 8-bit microcontroller was named to IEEE Spectrum magazines list of 25 Microchips That Shook the World. The editors sought ICs that had an impact on the lives of lots of people chips that became part of earthshaking gadgets, symbolized technological trends or simply delighted people. The PIC16C84 was one of Microchips groundbreaking products, introduced in 1993, that made field-programmable microcontrollers accessible to everyone.

Die plot of Microchips groundbreaking PIC16C84 MCU introduced in 1993.

Microchips mTouch Inductive Touch Sensing Technology was awarded with the Best Touch Sensing Technology award by Electronic Engineering & Product World magazine, as part of their Embedded Systems Editors Choice Awards 2009. EEPW is an influential trade publication in China, and their Award program is one of the most prestigious in the China semiconductor industry. Inductive touch sensing is ideal for creating completely sealed and modern-looking user interfaces that operate through metal, thick gloves and in the presence of liquids. Finally, EN-Genius Network named Microchips MCP2036 Analog Front End (AFE) for inductive touch-sensing applications Best AFE Sampling System. EN-Genius Networks annual Product Of The Year awards for exceptional product releases throughout 2009. The MCP2036 combines all the necessary analog functions for a complete inductance measurement system. The device includes: high-frequency, current-mode coil driver for exciting the sensor coil; synchronous detector for converting AC sense voltages into DC levels; output amplifier/filter to improve resolution and limit noise; virtual ground reference generator for single supply operation.
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MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGYS microSOLUTIONS Monthly E-newsletter - February 2010

RoweBots Researchs Unison and DSPnano Provide Linux Compatibility for PIC Microcontrollers
For more information contact Phone: +1(519) 208 0189 sales@rowebots.com RoweBots Research, Inc. 119 Church St. Kitchener, ON Canada K2K 2P4 http://www.rowebots.com The benefits of open standards are well known in the industry, and Linux is respected as a powerful and flexible operating system. But did you know that a Linux-compatible OS is available for PIC24 and PIC32 microcontrollers and dsPICDigital Signal Controllers? Unison and DSPnano were designed from the ground up for high performance, real-time embedded applications. They offer all of the bells and whistles you expect from a POSIXcompliant operating system, including signals, semaphores, mutexes, timers and synchronous messaging. Memory requirements are extremely modest. In fact, a minimal system with two active threads can be implemented in as little as 1K of RAM and 6K of Flash. Unison supports PIC32 microcontrollers, while DSPnano supports PIC24 microcontrollers and dsPIC Digital Signal Controllers. Both products offer seamless integration with the MPLAB IDE, including a full-featured object viewer for debugging. A 100% POSIX-compliant and Linux compatible executive is provided, with modular additional I/O and library services. Servers include: Embedded File System, TCP/IP , UDP , Serial I/O, advanced networking protocols and more. DSP pipelines and functions are also supported. The best part is that all of this power and functionality is easy to use. Both products include source code, full documentation and 30+ demos that are ready to run out of the box. The demos include step-by-step instructions and are designed to run on Explorer 16 and PIC32 Starter Boards with PICtailTM daughter cards for Ethernet connectivity and SD/ MMC file systems. A dual licensing structure is available: an open source license which has free development and free commercial use, plus a commercial licensing structure which offers significant enhancements in documentation, support, training, features and add on components. For more information on Unison and DSPnano, please visit www.rowebots.com

Are you looking for technical resources to take your products to the next level?
An Authorized Microchip Design Partner has the unique advantage of helping you get to market faster. This program provides you, as a customer, a specialized resource that has been technically and commercially qualified by Microchip. The Design Partner Program offers special support and technical training to keep its partners current with the latest technology and device offerings from Microchip. This support is not limited to Microchips broad line of 8-bit microcontrollers, but also includes the growing line of analog products, 16-bit microcontrollers and digital signal controllers and 32-bit microcontrollers. If your design could use a boost, let a design partner help you get to market faster with Microchip. To access Microchips extensive network of design partners around the world, visit: www.microchip.com/Partners www.microchip.com

Interested in Becoming an Authorized Design Partner?


Click Here!

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MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGYS microSOLUTIONS Monthly E-newsletter - February 2010

Interact with Microchip atMCHP Tube


Microchips Academic Program team has launched a YouTube-based show called MCHP Tube. MCHP Tube is an online video newscast for all things Microchip with a focus on Academia. Here youll find the latest information on new products, technologies and software/hardware development tools from both Microchip and Third-party sources. It will be a monthly show targeting academics worldwide and will be divided into four sections as follows: Headliners we will discuss new academic-friendly development resources brought to you by Microchip and our authorized Design Partners. University Student Project students can submit a video featuring a student project based on Microchip products. Ask Microchip viewers can ask a question and a qualified Microchip support person will answer it. Where in the World is Marc McComb? Marc is Microchips academic sales engineer and in each edition will talk about new products and tools that are a good fit for academics. To submit a video on a student project or ask a question for the Ask Microchip section, email us at mchptube@microchip.com. You can also visit www.microchip.com/mchptube for more information on the show.

MCHP Tube provides you, the viewer, the opportunity to interact with Microchip directly!!
Click on the image above to view the 2nd episode of MCHP Tube. To view Microchips YouTube channel, click HERE.
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MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGYS microSOLUTIONS Monthly E-newsletter - February 2010

Looking to Enhance Your Embedded Control Designs?


In tough economic times, companies often look for ways to trim expenses as a means to cope with a downturn in sales. One of the areas often targeted for cutbacks is employee training. There is not only the direct cost of the training to contend with, but also travel expenses and time an employee spends away from the job. During this challenging business climate, however, competitive pressures and technology changes dont stop and it is training that can help a company be better positioned to take advantage of the potential upswing. Microchip, with its global network of Regional Training Centers (RTCs) and third-party training partners, is here to help companies stay competitive with cost-effective, local training. To help companies deal with issues of travel expense and time, classes are given not only in Microchips facilities, but are also taken on the road. Customized customer premise sessions can be scheduled offering the most convenience. Time away can be managed more efficiently with the flexibility of half or full day class sessions. To be effective in teaching, instruction must take into account the needs and expertise level of the attendee. Microchips Regional Training Center classes are developed to provide a coordinated flow, enabling engineers to implement a solution to their product development needs. Instruction is developed and presented in product, technology and implementation classes that are grouped into application based curriculum. Each curriculum flow enables the individual to engage with the training at a level that meets his or her current knowledge and needs. The intent is to provide training that is relevant to each attendee while eliminating the frustration often associated with attending classes that present too much known information or assume a level of knowledge beyond what the attendee currently possesses. Product/tool classes provide knowledge on how Microchips products and development tools operate. This knowledge provides the foundation upon which all application instruction is based. Attendance at one of these classes can provide significant value through the reduction in time associated with For a complete list of classes and locations, visit www.microchip.com/RTC instruction manuals and data sheet review or trial and error attempts to learn individually. Market forces constantly press companies to add functionality and features to their products often outside their areas of core competence. As a result, engineers must continually broaden their knowledge base. Microchips technology classes are intended to help engineers gain an understanding of a new field. Implementation classes combine elements of product and technology instruction to teach engineers how to design a real world application. Classes at this level provide how-to instruction rather than what or why instruction. Microchip is currently offering classes in the following curriculum: DSP , Ethernet, Human Interface, Motor Control, Power Management, Signal Chain, System Design and USB. Future curriculum is expected to include CAN/LIN, IrDA, Lighting and RF. With a worldwide network of Regional Training Centers and certified third-party trainers, Microchip makes it easy to enhance your technical skills, with locations in nearly every metropolitan area across the world! For those organizations who desire to have a number of employees attend a course at the same time, Microchip can customize any curriculum to meet your specific needs. Our instructors arrive at your location with all presentation materials and equipment, making it easy for your whole team to benefit from a specific course topic in one setting. In addition to the instruction, most Regional Training Center classes offer the opportunity to purchase a set of the development tools used in the class at a discounted price. If the class you are interested in is not scheduled in your area, you can sign up to receive an alert when a session is scheduled. For information on scheduling custom in-house training, contact your local RTC directly or visit the Microchip RTC web site: www.microchip.com/RTC

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MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGYS microSOLUTIONS Monthly E-newsletter - February 2010

M i c r o c h i p A r ound Town

Get the latest updates by clicking HERE!

Microchip Technologys Michael Ballard, Manager, Home Appliance Solutions Group panels...

Session 1: Smart Grid: A dumb idea?


Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 5:00 pm Theres lots of talk about the smart grid and how it saves energy and money. Whose money? Should the local utility company have the ability to shut off your air conditioner or stop your clothes dryer when it wants? Should they be allowed to raise their rates with no warning, just when you need electricity the most? How will solar, wind, and other alternate-energy systems tie into the grid going forward? Who will write the standards? There are very few original IEEE standards that have had much success. Come help us explore whats right and wrong about this concept. Register online, today at: http://www.apec-conf.org/

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M i c r o c h i p A r ound Town

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGYS microSOLUTIONS Monthly E-newsletter - February 2010

Get the latest updates by clicking HERE!

March 8-9, 2010 San Diego, CA

Visit Microchip at Booth #505!


Microchip Technology is exhibiting and presenting at the World Meter Design Congress co located with Metering Billing/MDM America.
Visit Microchip at Booth #505 to experience exciting demos, win prizes and much more! Microchip will have technical staff on hand to answer your design questions and demonstrate our latest technologies.

Check out Microchips Smart Design Sessions


Tuesday, March 9th 8:00 am - 12:30 pm Warner Center, Level 4
8:00 - 9:15 am Designing consumer-appealing interfaces for the home environment Serving todays utility customer means that equipment in the home environment needs to engage and appeal to the consumer. Understand the technologies and tools available today to make human interface easy and cost-effective. 9:30 - 10:30 am Simplifying design efforts needed to connect metering systems to the home area network The evolution of the home area network and the challenges it poses to the metering industry are being felt by design teams every day. Leveraging modular approaches from chip suppliers may provide opportunities for simplifying integration of home area network communication protocols into metering systems. 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Leveraging chip technology for cost-effective design in the global metering market Evolving standards and diverse requirements globally continue to challenge the metering industry. Leveraging chip technology to meet these design challenges may lower total system cost, R&D expenditures and prolong product life cycles.

Get Your FREE Exhibition Pass & Attend Microchips Smart Design Sessions!

E-mail tracey-lee.zurcher@spintelligent.com or click HERE and enter code: MIC001 Remember to include in the e-mail or during registration that you want to attend our Smart Design Sessions.
For more information about the event, visit: www.metering.com/wmdc
www.microchip.com
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MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGYS microSOLUTIONS Monthly E-newsletter - February 2010

M i c r o c h i p A r ound Town

Get the latest updates by clicking HERE!

Check out Microchip at Hall 9/9-451

Microchip Technologys Lucio Di Jasio, Marketing Manager, High-Performance Microcontroller Division presents...

Interfacing 16- and 32-bit Microcontrollers to Modern Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) Displays: Cost, Performance and Embedded Control Design in a Fast-Moving Scenario
This presentation focuses on the practical aspects of interfacing modern 16- and 32-bit Microcontroller (MCU) architectures to a QVGA Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) display system. Among the many options available, the paper reviews the specific tradeoffs of performance vs. system complexity and cost, with particular attention devoted to the most recent industry trends in the display industry as relevant to embedded control applications. The pros and cons of utilizing a smart chip-on-glass vs. a dumb glass display will be discussed, as will the pros and cons associated with using a graphics-controller chip or integrated graphics controller. Additionally, the paper explains serial vs. parallel (8080 bus) vs. RGB direct-drive options for smart glass connection options. When evaluating the parallel bus option, the presentation focuses on the use of 8- and 16-bit parallel ports and their operation in a DMA system. Performance is compared against the needs of modern embedded-control applications with regard to refresh rates and animation support, then weighed against ease-of-use, power consumption and total solution cost. Practical design examples based upon 16- and 32-bit MCUs are presented, with particular reference to an appropriate development platform, as well as an example advanced graphics library. Microchip Technologys Jonathan Dillon, Senior Applications Engineer, Security, Microcontroller & Technology Development Division presents...

Adding a Capacitive Touch User Interface With Resources Already Present in Your System
With your embedded system already containing a microcontroller, you may be able to replace buttons and proximity sensors with capacitive-touch controls at minimal expense, or even a cost savings. Capacitive-touch user interfaces have become popular for modern applications because of their aesthetically pleasing, sleek controls; the fact that they do not involve any moving parts, they allow the system to be sealed from the elements; and because they enable hi-tech control panels. However, the implementation of capacitive-touch user interfaces has been regarded as a mysterious art. For many systems, the building blocks for implementing capacitive sensing, as either a proximity sensor or a button, are already present in the peripherals of their microcontroller, and these resources may currently be unused. This presentation discusses the following three methods for implementing capacitive touch: 1. Using the onboard timers and analog comparators 2. Capacitive sensing with unused I/O and the internal Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) 3. Using the capacitive-sensing circuitry embedded into the I/O pins of a number of microcontrollers

Register online, today at: http://www.embedded-world.eu/

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MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGYS microSOLUTIONS Monthly E-newsletter - February 2010

Whats New @

microchip DIRECT

Customers can now ship with their DHL, FedEx or UPS shipping account number on microchipDIRECT! Click here for video!!

Updated Features NOW Available on microchipDIRECT...


Enhanced Search
Enhanced Search is now available at microchipDIRECT. Type in key words and see results.

Convenient Shipping

To ship an order using your DHL, FedEx or UPS shipping account number Apply for a business account and complete the request when completing your account application; or If you already have a business account, select Add/Update Carrier Account Information from My Account link

OR

High Volume Pricing


Quotes are available on high volume pricing, click the link to receive a quote. (If you dont have a business account, well ask you to apply for one.)
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MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGYS microSOLUTIONS Monthly E-newsletter - February 2010

Whats New in Microchip Literature?


Doc. Type Application Note Data Sheet Doc. Title MRF49XA Radio Utility Program Application Note 93LC76/86 Data Sheet 34AA02/LC02 Data Sheet PIC18F85J90 Family Data Sheet PIC18F87J90 Family Data Sheet ENC424J600/624J600 Data Sheet PIC12F/12HV609/615 Data Sheet PIC18F23K20 Data Sheet PIC18F87J90 Family Silicon Errata and Data Sheet Clarification PIC18F46J50 Family Silicon Errata and Data Sheet Clarification dsPIC33FJ06GS101/X02 and dsPIC33FJ16GSX02/X04 Family Silicon Errata and Data Sheet Clarification PIC24HJXXXGPX06/X08/X10 Family Silicon Errata and Data Sheet Clarification dsPIC30F1010/202X Family Silicon Errata and Data Sheet Clarification dsPIC33FJXXXGPX06/X08/X10 Family Silicon Errata and Data Sheet Clarification dsPIC33FJXXXMCX06/X08/X10 Family Silicon Errata and Data Sheet Clarification dsPIC30F3012/3013 Family Silicon Errata and Data Sheet Clarification dsPIC30F3010/3011 Family Silicon Errata and Data Sheet Clarification PIC24FJ64GA004 Family Silicon Errata and Data Sheet Clarification PIC16F193X/PIC16LF193X Silicon Errata and Data Sheet Clarification PIC18FXX39 Programming Specification PIC18F6X2X/8X2X Programming Specification PIC18F2331/2431/4331/4431 Programming Specification PIC18FXX2XX8 Programming Specification PIC18FXX20 Programming Specification PIC16F87XA Programming Specification PIC18FX220/320 Programming Specification PIC18FXX80/XX85 Programming Specification PIC16F87/88 Programming Specification Packaging Specification DS No. 01309A 21131F 22029E 39770C 39933D 39935C 41302D 41303G 80432D 80436C 80439F 80444C 80445C 80446C 80447C 80448C 80449C 80470C 80479B 30480C 30499C 30500B 39576C 39583C 39589C 39592F 39606E 39607C 00049BC Doc. Type FRM Chapter Doc. Title

Visit our Technical Documentation page at www.microchip.com to view the documents. DS No. 39719C 39721B 39734A 70063D 70183B 70202C 70205C 70206C 70227E

Errata

PIC24F Family Reference Manual, Sect. 32 High-Level Device Integration PIC24F Family Reference Manual, Sect. 27 USB 0n-The-Go (OTG) PIC24F Family Reference Manual, Section 46. Scalable Comparator Mode dsPIC30F Family Reference Manual, Section 16. Quadrature Encoder Interface (QEI) dsPIC33F/PIC24H Family Reference Manual, Section 16. Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) dsPIC33F/24H Family Reference Manual, Section 3. Data Memory dsPIC33F/24H Family Reference Manual, Section 11. Timers dsPIC33F/PIC24H Family Reference Manual, Section 18. Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) PIC24H Family Reference Manual, Section 7. Oscillator

Visit the Microchip web site at www.microchip.com to view these documents. Doc. Type Brochures Doc. Title Corporate Focus Product Selector Guide (First Half 2010) - NEW Automotive Capabilities Brochure - UPDATED Motor Control Design Solutions Brochure - UPDATED Regional Training Center Course Catalog - UPDATED 16-bit Embedded Control Solutions Brochure - UPDATED Software Solutions for the 16-bit and 32 - bit Designer Brochure - NEW PIC32 Microcontrollers With USB On-The-Go Brochure - UPDATED Stand-Alone Analog and Interface Solutions Brochure - UPDATED SRAM Memory Brochure - UPDATED Automotive Memory Products Brochure - UPDATED Battery Power Design Guide - UPDATED Signal Chain Design Guide - UPDATED PGA, Op Amp and Comparators Design Guide - UPDATED nanoWatt XLP eXtreme Low Power Product Overview - UPDATED PIC16F61X Family Product Overview - NEW DS No. 01308A 00163C 00896G 01172C 01032G 39962A 39904J 21060S 22127B 22078C 39610E 21825E 21861E 39941C 41408A

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Microcontrollers Digital Signal Controllers Analog Serial EEPROMs

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