These challenges not only lengthen development times but also increase security threats and the number of failed solutions. As part of its ongoing strategy to deliver intelligent, connected, and secure systems, Microchip Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MCHP) today announced its embedded development solutions for any cloud. From the smallest PIC® and AVR® microcontrollers for sensors and actuators to the most sophisticated 32-bit microcontrollers and microprocessors for edge computing, the company makes it easy for developers to connect to any core and any major cloud using Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, or narrowband 5G technologies. All of this is delivered while maintaining robust security through support for its Trust Platform for the CryptoAuthentication™ family.
Microchip's extensive IoT portfolio now includes six new solutions. All of them facilitate access to the core, connectivity, security, development environment, and debugging capabilities to reduce project costs and development complexity:
• PIC-IoT WA and AVR-IoT WA boards: two new development boards for PIC and AVR microcontrollers with a custom-built rapid prototyping tool, created in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to help designers natively connect IoT sensor nodes to the AWS IoT Core cloud service via Wi-Fi.
• Gateways that work with AWS IoT Greengrass: the ATSAMA5D27-WLSOM1 is based on an advanced wireless System-on-Module (SOM) and integrates the SAMA5D2 microprocessor and the WILC3000 module with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, along with the high-performance MCP16502 power management integrated circuit (PMIC).
• SAM-IoT WG: Connects to Google Cloud IoT Core using Microchip’s popular SAM-D21 Arm® Cortex® M0+ 32-bit microcontroller range.
• SAM Microcontroller-Based IoT Development Platform for Azure IoT: Integrates the Azure IoT Device SDK and Azure IoT services with Microchip’s MPLAB® X ecosystem of development tools.
• PIC-BLE and AVR-BLE Boards: Two new boards for PIC and AVR microcontrollers that connect devices in sensor nodes to mobile devices and target industrial, consumer, and security applications, as well as the cloud, via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) gateways.
• LTE-M/NB-IoT Development Kit: Incorporates modules based on Sequans’ Monarch chip, providing IoT node coverage and leveraging the latest low-power 5G cellular technology.
“Microchip is leveraging its broad portfolio of tools and solutions to accelerate and facilitate the development of secure IoT solutions across the spectrum of control devices and embedded systems architectures,” said Greg Robinson, associate vice president of marketing for Microchip’s 8-bit microcontroller business unit. “Our recent agreements with Sequans to utilize their 5G technology and with Microsoft Azure further enhance our efforts to develop innovative solutions.”.
“We are delighted that Microchip is adding the SAM microcontroller-based development platform for Azure IoT to its portfolio of solutions,” said Sam George, corporate vice president of Azure IoT at Microsoft. “With the system, Azure IoT services, and Microchip’s MPLAB X development tool ecosystem, customers can seamlessly connect IoT devices to the Microsoft Azure cloud.”.
Each solution has been designed to facilitate and accelerate the development of smart applications in industry, medicine, consumer goods, agriculture, and retail, all based on embedded security. The vast selection of connectivity technologies, along with the wide range of features and functions of the peripherals in microcontrollers and microprocessors, ensures that these solutions are adaptable to diverse markets.
Development Tools:
Microchip’s new IoT solutions leverage the company’s vast ecosystem of development tools, centered around the MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Code generators like MCC (MPLAB X Code Configurator) automate and accelerate the creation and customization of application code for the smallest PIC and AVR microcontrollers, while the Harmony software libraries support all 32-bit microcontrollers and microprocessors.
Programming and debugging functions are provided via the PKOB Nano, which requires only a single USB cable for power, debugging, and communication. Larger solutions are supported by the MPLAB PICkit™ 4 and MPLAB ICD 4 universal programmers and debuggers. The ATSAMA5D27-WLSOM 1 comes with three free Linux licenses, and by registering for Microchip Linux kernel patches, customers receive full open-source community support for building high-quality solutions.
Pricing and Availability
Microchip's new range of small node development kits for sensors, tools, and IoT solutions starts at $29.00 for single-unit orders. These are the reference numbers for orders:
• PIC-IoT WA development board for Wi-Fi connection to AWS IoT Core: EV54Y39A
• AVR-IoT WA development board for Wi-Fi connection to AWS IoT Core: EV15R70A
• SAMA5D27 wireless SOM based on WILC3000 and compatible with AWS IoT Greengrass: ATSAMA5D27-WLSOM1
• SAM-IoT WG: Expected Q2 2020
• SAM microcontroller for Azure IoT: Expected Q2 2020
• PIC-BLE development board for Bluetooth Low Energy connection: DT100112
• AVR-BLE development board for Bluetooth Low Energy connection: DT100111
• LTE-M/NB-IoT development kit: Expected Q3 2020
