To achieve this, Microchip Technology has announced the highly integrated PIC32-BZ6 microcontroller, which serves as a common platform on a single chip to reduce development costs, complexity, and time to market for multiprotocol products with advanced levels of connectivity and scalability.
RF design for smart devices has become increasingly complex, as wireless solutions often require multiple chips to add new features or frequent redesigns to support new standards. The PIC32-BZ6 microcontroller replaces these multi-chip solutions and reduces the redesign burden with a single, highly integrated chip that eliminates the complexity of wired and wireless multi-protocol connectivity. The microcontroller also includes analog peripherals to simplify motor control development, as well as touch and graphical capabilities for advanced user interfaces, and enhanced memory to handle complex applications, heavy workloads, and over-the-air firmware updates.
The PIC32-BZ6 microcontroller platform streamlines product development in smart home and automotive connectivity, industrial automation, and wireless motor control. Its key features include:
• High memory capacity and multiple packages for demanding applications and wireless upgrades: This high-performance microcontroller, integrating 2 MB of Flash memory and 512 KB of RAM, is supplied in 132-pin integrated circuits and modules, with further configurations planned.
• Multiprotocol wireless networking: Compliant with Bluetooth Core Specification version 6.0, the device also supports 802.15.4-based protocols such as Thread and Matter, as well as proprietary protocols for mesh networks in smart homes.
• Design flexibility that expands product offerings and customization options: The versatile and comprehensive set of integrated peripherals extends beyond wireless connectivity and upgrades:
o Wired connectivity: Various interfaces, including two CAN-FD ports for industrial and automotive communication, a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet MAC for high-speed wired connectivity, and a high-speed USB 2.0 transceiver for data transfer and seamless PC integration.
• Touch and graphic peripherals: Incorporates peripherals that enable advanced user interfaces, such as touch functions based on CVD (Capacitive Voltage Divider) dividers with up to 18 channels.
• Motor control: Simplifies system development thanks to advanced analog peripherals such as 12-bit A/D converters, 7-bit D/A converters, analog comparators, PWM, and QEI for precise control of motor position and speed.
• Secure design to protect applications and intellectual property: Includes secure boot immutable in ROM and an advanced hardware-based security engine compatible with AES, SHA, ECC, and TRNG encryption.
• Reliability in harsh environments: The device meets AEC-Q100 Grade 1 (125°C) specifications for industrial and automotive environments.
“The PIC32-BZ6 microcontroller stands out for its powerful combination of connectivity, integration, and flexibility in a single-chip solution,” said Rishi Vasuki, vice president of Microchip’s Wireless Solutions business unit. “Few devices bring together this set of features on a single chip, and we’ve already seen tremendous activity among early adopters. Customers are leveraging its multi-protocol wireless capabilities, advanced analog functions, and abundant I/O to develop smarter, more connected products with significantly greater efficiency.”.
development tools
simplify product development and certification for the
PIC32-BZ6 microcontroller by offering reference designs tested with this chip and wireless design verification services that help minimize design risk.
To further facilitate regulatory compliance, pre-certified modules are available in several regions worldwide. The PIC32-BZ6 microcontroller family is supported by the PIC32-BZ6 Curiosity evaluation board , which allows for testing all microcontroller I/O, connectivity, and peripheral functions. Developers can also take advantage of the comprehensive development environment provided by Microchip's MPLAB® integrated development environment and the Zephyr® real-time operating system.
Pricing and Availability:
The PIC32-BZ6 microcontroller platform currently consists of the PIC32CX2051BZ62132 System-on-Chip (SoC), ideal for multiprotocol wireless applications requiring advanced connectivity and a large number of I/O points, and the PIC32WM-BZ6204UE RF certified module, designed for rapid integration into wireless products with streamlined certification and a short time to market. The SoC and module are priced at $3.73 and $5.84 per unit, respectively, for orders of 10,000 units.
It is planned to add other encapsulations and modules to increase design flexibility and cover a wider range of application needs.
