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Microchip announces two new 8-bit PIC microcontrollers (MCUs), the PIC16F527 and PIC16F570, which combine a PIC MCU with a dual Op Amp module, an 8-bit ADC and two comparators. The new MCUs add several features to support ease of use and system robustness.
8-bit PIC Integrates Analog Circuitry - [Link]
This tiny little breakout board has Microchip’s 24LC512 EEPROM and MCP9802 temperature sensor devices, both of which support I2C protocol. This board can be used for both sensing the ambient temperature and storing it. The MCP9802 is a digital temperature sensor with an user-selectable resolution from 9 to 12 bit. It can measure temperature ranging from -55°C to +125°C and notifies the host microcontroller when the ambient temperature exceeds a user programmed set point through its ALERT output pin. This board allows you to store up to 32000 temperature samples when you use the sensor in high resolution mode (12-bit, 0.0625°C) with each sample stored as two bytes. Raj (from embedded-lab.com) is selling this board for $9.00 on Tindie.
I2C EEPROM plus Temperature Sensor breakout board - [Link]
LDOs Provide Output Current of 300 mA, Input Voltage of 16V and Noise Rejection of 70 dB. Steve Taranovich writes:
Microchip Technology Inc., announced the MCP1755 and MCP1755S family of CMOS Low-Dropout (LDO) voltage regulators. These LDOs have an input voltage range of 3.6-16V and deliver an output current of 300 mA at output voltages of 1.8-5.5V, while consuming only 68 µA of quiescent current (typical). Additionally, the LDOs have a shutdown pin, enabling them to consume less than 0.1 µA (typical) during shutdown mode, which extends battery lifetimes. The LDOs are offered in SOT and 2×3 mm DFN packages.
Microchip LDO voltage-regulator family with low noise and high PSRR - [Link]
www.engscope.com writes:
The PIC24F is a very versatile piece of hardware. I use it at work all the time. Along with the MPLAB IDE and the free C30 compiler, these products from Microchip make for a powerful combination. You can pretty much do anything on the lower end of the frequency spectrum. I would like to share with the web, some of the intricacies of the microcontroller as I have become somewhat familiar with the chip. Most of these resources will apply to the other processors from Microchip 16-bit series. If you have any questions, feel free the comment or email. Come back to this page often as I will be adding features and code for all of the web to see.
PIC24 Tutorial - [Link]
This project is “NanoUtils Xtal” – a crystal oscillator breakout board. The board is designed to be interfaced with microcontrollers that have their oscillator pins next to a ground pin. [via]
This board is a breakout containing a SMD crystal, two caps and a resistor meant to be used in breadboards when building something with an Atmel ATmega or a Microchip PIC that have the two crystal pins next to a GND pin. For instance the atmega328 or pic18f2550.
Crystal oscillator breakout - [Link]
Brian Schmalz writes:
The UBW board is a small board that contains a Microchip PIC USB-capable microcontroller, headers to bring out all of the PICs signal lines (to a breadboard for example), only costs about $15-$20 to build and is powered from the USB connection.
UBW – USB Bit Whacker- inexpensive, simple input/output USB device - [Link]
Microchip Technology has announced a free C++ compiler with unlimited code generation capabilities: MPLAB XC32++ Compiler (Free version), which supports all their 32-bit PIC32 microcontrollers. The compiler enables designers to develop and re-use C++ or mixed C/C++ projects in the MPLAB XC32 environment and makes all of Microchip’s C language extensions available. It is compatible with most C++98 and C++2003 ANSI standards. The compiler also includes Dinkumware standard C, C++ and template libraries. [via]
Free C++ Compiler for PIC32 - [Link]
Secure authentification and a simple utilization are the key features of components RX-4MHCS series from company Aurel. Using the KeeLoq technology from company Microchip, they represent a complete solution for a remote control and authentification.
Company Aurel with rich experience in the field of RF data transfer and production of thick-film technology circuits has incorporated into their products a modern technology KeeLoq (HCS). This way a whole line of products for a secure control (RKE-remote keyless entry) in the 433,92 MHz band arised. It consists of transmitters – keyfobs and receivers with a decoder. Low power consumption, high sensitivity and a high security thanks to a 64 bit crypting key (unique in every device) used to generate a 32-bit hopping code, provide an immediately usable solution for control of locks, gates and any other devices, where concurrently with the control function itself, we also need an authentification. The transmitted code changes at every sending and it never repeats, what eliminates an unauthorised access.
A receiving element is the RX-4MHCS module available in versions RX-4MHCS, RX-4MHCS/F (both with 4 output channels settable into a monostable- as well as bistable mode) and RX-4MHCS-4B (4-bit output, 12 channels). The difference between MHCS and MHCS/F is, that the „/F“ version enables to freely assign any output to any button (for example an output no. 4 to a button no. 1), while a version without an „F“ suffix will assign to the 1-st keyfob button an output no. 1, etc. Before using a keyfob + receiver set, it is necessary to program a receiver according to a simple procedure (without a computer) described in the datasheet. A great plus is a wide range of operating temperatures, enabling an outdoor use – after building into an appropriate enclosure. Receiving modules are also available as ready-made PCBs with 4 output relays in 2 versions – HCS-DEC-4 and HCS-DEC-4/F. HCS-DEC-4 modules are readily usable without any soldering or other HW development.
Transmitting elements are keyfobs with 1-12 push-buttons. On stock we keep 1-4 button versions, upon request we´re able to provide you a 6- and 12 -button version too. Receiving modules are able to operate with up to 10 keyfobs. As it is common, receivers and also transmitters (keyfobs) only cooperate if they are from the same producers, i.e. receivers can only controlled by Aurel keyfobs and similarly Aurel keyfobs can´t be used to control modules from other producers. Further information will provide you the datasheets at particular components. On stock we also keep many other RF modules from company Aurel.
Ready to use solution for secure control with Aurel modules - [Link]
Microchip released version 1.2 of MPLABX. [via]
MPLABX IDE Features
- Provides a new Call Graph for navigating complex code
- Supports Multiple Configurations within your projects
- Supports Multiple Versions of the same compiler
- Support for multiple Debug Tools of the same type
- Supports Live Parsing
- Import existing MPLAB® 8 projects and use either IDE for the same source
- Supports hyperlinks for fast navigation to declarations and includes
- Supports Live Code Templates
- Supports the ability to enter File Code Templates with license headers or template code
- MPLAB® X can Track Changes within your own system using local history
- Within MPLAB® X, a user can configure their own Code Format Style
MPLABX v1.2 has been released - [Link]
Rajendra Bhatta writes:
The 12F series of PIC microcontrollers are handy little 8-pin devices designed for small embedded applications that do not require too many I/O resources, and where small size is advantageous. These applications include a wide range of everyday products such as hair dryers, electric toothbrushes, rice cookers, vacuum cleaners, coffee makers, and blenders. Despite their small size, the PIC12F series microcontrollers offer interesting features including wide operating voltage, internal programmable oscillator, 4 channels of 10-bit ADC, on-board EEPROM memory, on-chip voltage reference, multiple communication peripherals (UART, SPI, and I2C), PWM, and more. The following project board is designed for fast and easy development of standalone applications using PIC12F microcontrollers. It features on-board regulated +5V power supply, header connectors to access I/O pins, ICSP header for programming, a reset circuit, and small prototyping area for placing additional components.
PIC12F microcontroller project board - [Link]
