The microcontrollers integrate 64 or 128 KB of Flash program memory and 4 KB of RAM, enabling the incorporation of usage time and multi-tariff functions, as well as a high level of peripheral integration, including an LCD controller, a real-time hardware clock/calendar (RTCC), and a load-time measurement unit (CTMU) for implementing a capacitive touch user interface. Firmware for energy calculation and a development board are already available, providing a complete solution that reduces costs and shortens time to market for a wide range of electronic metering and energy monitoring applications.
As an addition to Microchip's existing range of energy meters and power monitoring solutions, the PIC18F87J72 microcontroller family addresses market demand for an integrated microcontroller for smart energy meters and power monitoring. This family offers customers the flexibility to use a PIC18F87J72 microcontroller with integrated AFE in space-constrained applications, or a Microchip MCP390x AFE with a standard PIC® microcontroller.
The PIC18F87J72 Single-Phase Energy Meter Reference Design (part number ARD00280) is now available for evaluation through Microchip sales representatives. This reference design, which incorporates a shunt-based single-phase meter with firmware for energy calculation and software calibration via a GUI, allows for the calculation of active/reactive energy, forward/reverse energy, active/reactive/apparent power, and RMS current/voltage. To further shorten time to market and achieve greater product differentiation, customers can reuse or customize the free firmware for their own applications. The reference design is expected to be available for purchase via microchip-
DIRECT in December 2010.
The PIC18F86J72 microcontroller with 64 KB of Flash program memory and the PIC18F87J72 microcontroller, which incorporates 128 KB of Flash program memory, are available in an 80-pin TQFP package with dimensions of 12 mm x 12 mm x 1 mm.
