Low-cost USB microcontrollers
23 July 2008
DSP, Micros & Memory
Microchip has released a new family of 8-bit PIC microcontrollers for USB applications.
The PIC18F13K50 and PIC18F14K50 are the company's lowest-cost USB microcontrollers and are supported by Microchip's free USB software stack and free MPLAB IDE, which provides a consistent development platform across all PIC microcontrollers.
More engineers are taking advantage of USB as a standardised interface, in combination with other serial-interface protocols. The PIC18F1XK50 micro-controllers include I²C, SPI and USART interfaces, alongside USB 2.0, enabling them to transfer data between USB and other embedded serial networks. In addition, they provide a 10-bit, 9-channel analog-to-digital converter and dual comparators with S/R Latch, giving users the capability to process a variety of inputs - from temperature and humidity to capacitive touch-sensing.
Additional features include a USB host-detection capability, where the MCU can be configured to enter sleep or any other power-managed mode when a USB connection is not present. The new MCUs can also be internally or externally clocked with seamless on-the-fly switching, bringing further power saving options. With an operating voltage range of 1,8-5,5 V, they are designed for use with a wide variety of operating environments and power supplies, including batteries, USB interfaces or other power sources.
The PIC18F13K50 has 8 KB Flash and 512 Bytes of RAM memory, and the PIC18F14K50 has 16 KB Flash and 768 Bytes of RAM. Both devices have 256 Bytes of EEPROM for non-volatile data storage.
Microchip also announced two new development kits, to help engineers get started using the PIC18FK50 in their designs.
Further reading:
Cost-effective microcontroller series
Altron Arrow
DSP, Micros & Memory
The STM32C5 series from STMicroelectronics delivers an excellent balance of performance, efficiency, and affordability for embedded designs that require more capability without increasing bill of materials cost.
Read more...
Battery-friendly Thread and BLE solution
iCorp Technologies
DSP, Micros & Memory
Positioned as an incremental upgrade to the ESP32-H2, Espressif’s ESP32-H21 adds an integrated DC-DC converter that reduces active current draw and helps extend battery life in power-sensitive consumer and industrial devices.
Read more...
Next generation HMI processing platform
Future Electronics
DSP, Micros & Memory
Microchip’s latest hybrid MCU SiP integrates an Arm926EJ-S processor with 512 Mb of DDR2 SDRAM and is engineered to meet the rising demand for sophisticated HMI solutions in modern vehicles.
Read more...
Low-power SoC for IoT designs
iCorp Technologies
DSP, Micros & Memory
Espressif’s ESP32-H4 is a dual-core 32-bit RISC-V SoC designed for battery-powered wireless products that require low energy consumption, strong security, and modern connectivity.
Read more...
Chip for high-density power
Future Electronics
DSP, Micros & Memory
Microchip’s dsPIC33AK256MPS306 Digital Signal Controllers combine high-resolution control, high-speed analogue, and security with support for post-quantum cryptography.
Read more...
The end of ‘entry-level’: STMicroelectronics’ STM32C5 sets a new baseline for embedded systems
DSP, Micros & Memory
[Sponsored] Instead of incrementally improving legacy Cortex-M0+ architectures, STM32C5 introduces a Cortex-M33-based platform into the entry-level category. This changes not only performance expectations, but also how engineers approach system architecture, consolidation, and long-term scalability.
Read more...
GigaDevice expands GD25UF Series density
NuVision Electronics
DSP, Micros & Memory
GigaDevice has announced the expanded density range of its GD25UF series 1,2 V ultra-low power SPI NOR Flash, now spanning from 8 Mb to 256 Mb.
Read more...
ARINC 429 line driver evaluation board
ASIC Design Services
DSP, Micros & Memory
Holt Integrated Circuits have announced the release of the ADK-85104 Evaluation Board, a compact, ready-to-use platform designed to help engineers rapidly evaluate and characterise Holt’s HI-85104.
Read more...
Highly integrated 24-channel mixed signal IC
EBV Electrolink
DSP, Micros & Memory
Microchip Technology has announced the LX4580, a 24-channel mixed-signal IC designed to replace multiple discrete components with a single device that supports synchronised data acquisition, fault monitoring, and motor control.
Read more...
Lower-power Thread and BLE connectivity
iCorp Technologies
DSP, Micros & Memory
Espressif has released the ESP32-H21, a low-power wireless SoC aimed at Thread, Matter, Zigbee, and Bluetooth LE device designs.
Read more...