MCUs enable switching between ROM, flash versions

Microchip Technology Inc. announced the availability of new complementary ROM PIC microcontrollers in the PIC16 family. The PIC16CR73, PIC16CR74, PIC16CR76 and PIC16CR77 (PIC16CR7X) general-purpose ROM microcontrollers are the first in a new series of ROM microcontrollers in the PIC16 and PIC18 families from Microchip. The new microcontrollers provide interchangeable options for Microchip's PIC16F7X flash microcontrollers. The PIC16CR microcontrollers are said to enable switching between ROM and flash versions.

These new mask ROM PIC microcontrollers already contain customer-specific code required for high volume applications. This is said to save on programming costs, product handling and production cycle time.

The same development tools that serve existing Microchip flash PIC microcontrollers support the ROM PIC microcontrollers. New tools do not need to be purchased.

Applicable development tools include the MPLAB Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and MPLAB In-Circuit Debugger (ICD) 2 from Microchip. The MPLAB IDE lets users edit, compile and debug from a single user interface. The MPLAB ICD 2 is a low-cost, real-time debugger and programmer available for $159.99.

The PIC16CR7X ROM microcontrollers are available today in 28-pin DIP, SOIC, SSOP or QFN packages, 40-pin PDIP and PLCC packages, and a 44-pin QFP package option.