The PIC24F GU and GL microcontroller families, which incorporate 14 types of Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) that operate outside the CPU to reduce power consumption, include the CIP called Autonomous Animation LCD.
Most applications using displays employ common animations such as alternating between multiple screens and pixel blinking to indicate operation. Thanks to the integrated LCD driver with autonomous animation, developers can offload most of these simple animation routines from the CPU and enable animation even in doze, idle, or sleep modes to optimize power consumption. To accelerate design with these display interfaces, the new microcontrollers support MPLAB® Code Configurator (MCC). This graphical programming environment with an LCD designer helps eliminate the meticulous and time-consuming task of pin and segment configuration.
“This new family of PIC microcontrollers adds new hardware features that improve power consumption, code protection, and reliable operation in applications across various market segments,” said Joe Thomsen, vice president of Microchip’s MCU16 business unit. “This scalable family of devices, which enables applications ranging from low-power cloud-connected IoT nodes to sensor systems, as well as automotive, consumer, and industrial applications, helps developers easily incorporate displays, robustness, and security into their designs.”.
The new microcontroller families are also designed to facilitate greater application security, whether connected to the internet or operating as a standalone system. Microchip's CodeGuard™ Flash security protection allows memory to be segmented into boot and general-purpose segments to restrict memory access. Flash memory is configurable as OTP (One-Time Programmable) via Microchip's ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming™) write-lock feature, which prevents any modification of the Flash memory by external programmers/debuggers. In addition to these features, security can be further enhanced with Microchip's CryptoAuthentication™ add-on chips for adding secure over-the-air updates and pre-installed cloud services. Finally, the microcontrollers support CryptoAuthLib, a 16-bit bootloader, USB, and numerous application libraries in the MCC to significantly reduce development time and complexity.
The integrated hardware safety features of the PIC24F GU and GL families enable reliable operation in harsh environments through ECC (Flash Error Correction Code), DMT (Deadman Timer), WWDT (Windowed Watchdog Timer), FSCM (Fail-Safe Clock Monitor), configurable HLVD (High-Low Voltage Detect), and CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check).
These microcontroller families are capable of operating in harsh environments and are ideal for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications. They feature an extended operating temperature range up to 125 °C, AEC Q100 Grade 1 approval, and a diagnostic library for IEC 60730 (household appliances) Class B safety standards.
Development Tools:
The PIC24F GU and GL microcontrollers are supported by Microchip's MPLAB® development ecosystem, including the MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and the MPLAB Code Configurator. Other supported boards include the PIC24F LCD and Curiosity USB Development Board, the PIC24F LCD Curiosity Development Board, and the PIC24FJ512GU410 and PIC24FJ128GL306 general-purpose Plug-In Modules (PIMs) for the Explorer 16/32 Development Board.
Pricing and Availability:
The PIC24F GL3 family with integrated LCD is available in 28, 36, 48, and 64-pin packages, starting at 4x4 mm (uQFN). Its memory ranges from 64 KB to 128 KB of Flash and 8 KB of RAM. The PIC24F GU4/GL4 family with integrated LCD and USB is available in 48, 64, 80, and 100-pin packages with 128 KB to 512 KB of Flash memory and 32 KB of RAM. The starting price is $0.97 for bulk orders of the PIC24FJ64GL302-I/SS.
These development boards are now available:
- PIC24F LCD and USB Curiosity Development Board (DM240018 – $48.00)
- PIC24F LCD Curiosity Development Board (DM240017 – $45.00)
- Explorer 16/32 Development Board (DM240001-2 – $79.99)
- PIC24FJ512GU410 General Application PIM Module (MA240041 – $25.00)
- PIC24FJ128GL306 General Application PIM Module (MA240040 – $25.00)
