Microchip Introduces New MCUs to Solve Tough Analog System Design Challenges

Sensor-based Internet of Things (IoT) applications rely on a combination of analog functionality and digital control capability to meet a challenging list of requirements including low cost, small size, performance and low power.

Addressing this challenge through a focus on increased microcontroller (MCU) integration, Microchip Technology has introduced the PIC18-Q41 and AVR DB MCU families that are the first to combine advanced analog peripherals and multi-voltage operation with inter-peripheral connections for increased system integration and reduced signal acquisition times, and offer the convenience and efficiency of operating in a single design environment.

Commenting on the development, Greg Robinson, Associate Vice President of Marketing for Microchip’s 8-bit Microcontroller Business Unit, said “Microchip is bringing easy-to-use analog capability to cost-effective PIC® and AVR® MCUs so designers can meet the requirements of large-scale IoT systems.”

 “With a unified, seamless development tool experience, designers can use these MCUs as a single-chip controller, or as an intelligent analog signal conditioning component in a larger system.” 

To address the need for signal conditioning in space-constrained sensing and measuring applications such as IoT end nodes and industrial, medical devices, wearables, automotive and lighting systems, the PIC18-Q41 MCU has a configurable Operational Amplifier (Op Amp) and Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with computation and Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs).

It is particularly well-suited for IoT and large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) at-the-edge, including predictive maintenance edge nodes in a smart factory. Offered in compact 14- and 20-pin packages, the PIC18-Q41 MCU also makes a good companion to Microchip’s 32-bit MCUs and other controllers that require analog integration.  

Mixed-signal IoT systems often include multiple power domains, and the AVR DB MCU simplifies the challenges of these designs while reducing cost by integrating true bi-directional level shifters. This feature lowers cost in a wide range of applications including automotive, appliances, HVAC and liquid measurement. The addition of three independent and highly configurable Op Amps, a 12-bit differential ADC, 10-bit DAC, three zero cross detectors and Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) makes the AVR DB MCU ideal for virtually any application involving analog signal conditioning and processing functions. 

Meanwhile, the PIC18-Q41 and AVR DB MCUs are offered in a range of memory sizes, packages and price points. The PIC18-Q41 pricing starts at USD 0.65 in 10,000 unit quantities. The AVR DB pricing starts at USD 0.95 in 10,000-unit quantities.