The PIC32CM PL10 microcontrollers offer the performance of a 32-bit architecture while maintaining the low power consumption, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness sought by developers accustomed to 8-bit systems. Thanks to equivalent pin assignments, these devices allow for a direct migration to increase performance without the need for complex and expensive board redesigns.
They are especially suitable for high-volume applications such as industrial control, building automation, household appliances, power tools, and sensor-based systems.
Key features and design advantages
• 5V Operation with Multi-Voltage I/O (MVIO): With an operating voltage of 1.8V to 5.5V, the PL10 family incorporates integrated MVIO, enabling simultaneous connection to devices operating at different voltage levels. This eliminates the need for external level converters in multi-voltage systems, significantly reduces the bill of materials (BOM) cost, saves board space, and simplifies design in high-noise environments such as industrial automation and IoT applications.
• Core-independent peripherals (CIPs) with advanced touch capabilities: Equipped with a comprehensive set of hardware peripherals, a peripheral touch controller (PTC), and a 12-bit ADC, the PL10 autonomously performs repetitive and time-critical tasks. By offloading these deterministic tasks from the CPU, the PL10 improves real-time performance, reduces power consumption, and frees up processing capacity—a key benefit for highly responsive touch interfaces and accurate analog measurements.
• AI-assisted development and broad tool compatibility: The PL10 is compatible with the MPLAB® AI Coding Assistant, which offers context-aware code generation and real-time product information. The devices are notable for their broad compatibility with third-party tools, including Microsoft VS Code, IAR Systems, Arm Keil, SEGGER, Zephyr, and MikroElektronika.
“At Farnell, we are proud to offer the PIC32CM PL10 microcontrollers as part of our growing range of Microchip products and provide engineers with immediate access to these cutting-edge devices with full technical support,” said Jose Lok, Global Product Category Director – Onboard Components & SBC at Farnell.
“The PL10’s identical pin assignment and broad compatibility with development environments make it an ideal choice for designers who want to move to 32-bit performance without having to redesign their current workflow.”.
For his part, Greg Robinson, Corporate Vice President MCU, WSG, and DevTools Business Units at Microchip, noted: “The PL10 family represents our unified microcontroller strategy, offering AVR pin compatibility, robust compliance with security requirements, and AI-based development tools to respond to evolving market demands.
He added, “Microchip is preparing to launch a broad range of new microcontrollers over the next 12 to 18 months, from entry-level devices to microcontrollers with AI capabilities, reinforcing our commitment to a comprehensive MCU portfolio.” The Microchip PIC32CM PL10 microcontrollers are now available from stock for fast, global delivery through Farnell in EMEA, Newark in North America, and element14 in APAC.
