All of them incorporate internal clock sources with the 0.25% clock accuracy required for USB communication, saving up to $0.15 by eliminating the need for an external crystal. Furthermore, these three families meet the eXtreme Low Power specification, with power consumption as low as 35 µA/MHz in Active mode and 20 nA in Sleep mode. These crystal-free USB microcontrollers are the first to be offered with pin counts ranging from 14 to 100, as well as a high level of integration and low power consumption.
The 14- and 20-pin PIC16F145X microcontrollers are the smallest and most cost-effective USB microcontrollers available to date. This family, consisting of three models, is supplied in packages as small as 4x4 mm, integrates a wide variety of peripherals, and enables embedded applications requiring USB connectivity and capacitive touch sensing, such as pulse oximeters, PC accessories, and electronic security keys.
The PIC18F2X/4XK50 devices, available in 28-pin and 40/44-pin packages, offer a cost-effective, pin-compatible option for customers to adopt existing PIC18 USB microcontrollers. All three models in this family operate at 1.8–5V and integrate a Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU) for enhanced capacitive touch sensing and measurement in applications such as audio docking stations and data loggers.
The PIC18F97J94 family is Microchip's first to integrate LCD control, RTCC with Vbat, and USB into a single 8-bit PIC microcontroller. This family of nine models, available in 64-, 80-, and 100-pin packages, offers a 60x8 LCD controller for a total of 480 segments, eliminating the need for an external controller in applications with large segmented displays. The family also integrates a real-time clock/calendar with battery backup for end products such as home automation or security panels, handheld scanners, and single-phase energy meters.
To help shorten development times, the downloadable, open-source USB Framework from the Microchip Library of Applications (MLA) includes USB drivers for many commonly used USB classes such as HID, CDC, Mass Storage, Win-USB, and Audio-MIDI. These drivers can be used with the 15 new PIC microcontrollers.
In addition to providing free software drivers and USB batteries, Microchip also offers hardware development tools for purchase. The Low Pin Count USB Development Kit (DM164127) is available now for $39.99 for use with the PIC16F145X family. The PICDEM™ FS-USB Board (DM163025-1), priced at $59.99, is expected to be available in October and is designed for the PIC18FXXK50 family.
Full-Speed USB Plug-in Modules (PIMs) are expected to be available in November for the PIC18F97J94 and PIC18F87J94.
