Low-power MCUs integrate capacitive touch-sensing

Microchip Technology Inc. rolls new general-purpose 8bit microcontrollers featuring the company's mid-range core, the PIC16(L)F1826 and PIC16(L)F1827.

The first extension of this core into the 18-pin range, the PIC16(L)F1826/7 MCUs provide an advanced peripheral set that includes an mTouch capacitive touch-sensing module and dual I?C/SPI interfaces, along with "LF" versions featuring low power consumption via Microchip's nanoWatt XLP eXtreme Low-Power technology. The MCUs' increased speed, ease of use and low cost provide an excellent pin-compatible migration path for legacy 18-pin PIC MCUs still used in many designs today.

In a May 2009 IEEE Spectrum article, the PIC16C84 was recognized as one of the "25 Microchips That Shook the World." The PIC16(L)F1826/7 MCUs are a natural extension of this enduring legacy. With Microchip's enhanced mid-range architecture, the MCUs provide a 50 percent increase in performance and 14 new instructions that make programming with the C language more efficient, resulting in up to 40 percent better code efficiency over previous-generation 8bit PIC MCUs. In addition to the mTouch capacitive touch-sensing module and dual I?C/SPI interfaces, peripheral enhancements include enhanced functionality, and a digital signal modulator that enables designers to customize communication interfaces, and combine many functions into a single MCU. nanoWatt XLP technology enables market-leading current consumption, improving overall energy efficiency and/or extending battery life in a broad range of applications.

"The PIC16(L)F1826/7 are a testament to Microchip's longevity and commitment to the continuous improvement of our product portfolio," said Steve Drehobl, VP of the security, MCU and technology development division, Microchip. "The 32MHz PIC16(L)F1826/7 MCUs are significantly faster than the 10MHz PIC16C84 MCU introduced 16 years ago. Additionally, they have four times the memory space and consume an order of magnitude less current. They also maintain pin compatibility, for easy migration from all of our legacy 18-pin MCUs."

Example applications for the PIC16(L)F1826/7 MCUs include those in the consumer (e.g., laser printers, remote controls); industrial (e.g., "Green" lighting, embedded network gateways, traffic monitors, touch panels, metering); and automotive markets (e.g., LED Daytime Running Lights and taillights).

Development Tool Support comes in the PICkit 2 18-pin demonstration board. This provides a quick and easy way to evaluate and develop with the PIC16(L)F1826/7 MCUs. The board includes four LEDs, a potentiometer for an ADC, a pushbutton, a prototyping area, a 6-pin connector for the PICkit 3 In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer, and two bare boards for designers to use for their own project. The PICkit 2 18-pin Demonstration Board is priced at $23.99 and is expected to be updated with the PIC16F1827 MCU sample in Q1 10.

Microchip's complete suite of standard development tools can be used with the PIC16(L)F1826/7 MCUs.

The PIC16(L)F1826/7 devices are both available in 18-pin PDIP and SOIC packages; a 20-pin SSOP package; and 28-pin 6mm x 6mm QFN and 4mm x 4mm?QFN packages. The PIC16(L)F1826 are priced at $0.92 each in 10,000-unit quantities, and the PIC16(L)F1827 at $0.99 each in 10,000-unit quantities, for all package options. Samples are available as well as volume-production quantities.

For application notes on microcontroller click here.