Microchip launched a new PIC microcontroller series based on ARM, adding Bluetooth low-power connection function in a more convenient way

Wireless connectivity has become a must-have feature in many products, but often adds cost and complexity to system design because it usually has to be added to a larger application. Technology Inc. 's PIC single-chip (MCU) family based on Arm's Cortex-M4F is designed to address this wireless connectivity design challenge. The new family of products integrates Bluetooth low-power functionality directly as one of the most basic components of the system and is supported by the industry's most comprehensive development ecosystem.

"Our PIC32CX-BZ2 microcontroller family removes barriers that make it difficult for wireless applications to get to market, including usability issues and complexity challenges, regulatory certification barriers and long-term support issues," said Steve Caldwell, vice president of Microchip's Wireless Solutions business unit. The new product line closely combines wireless connectivity with single chip, rooted in Microchip's decades of expertise and supported by vertical manufacturing methods, which include IC, Microchip's highly integrated software protocol stack, internal module manufacturing, and customer-driven product shutdown mechanisms."

Microchip's PIC32CX-BZ2 line of products includes system-on-chip (SoC) devices and radio-frequency support modules certified by global regulations. In addition to Bluetooth low power features, the new series includes Zigbee protocol stack and over the air (OTA) update capabilities. Hardware features include a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC), multiple timer/counter (TCC) channels for control, an onboard encryption engine, and an extensive set of interfaces for touch, CAN, sensors, displays, and other peripherals. The series' 1MB flash memory supports large application code, multi-protocol wireless protocol stacks, and OTA updates. The AEC-Q100 Level 1 (125 ℃) compliant package further simplifies the integration of wireless connections that require a highly robust solution.

The PIC32CX-BZ2 MCU family can be simplified through Microchip's MPLAB Harmony 32-bit embedded software development framework. The integrated MPLAB code configurator enables developers to quickly start prototyping PIC32CX-BZ2 series using drag-and-drop automatic code generation. A large number of application code instances are hosted on GitHub and linked through MPLAB code configurator and MPLAB Discover. The ecosystem's chip-down reference design package and wireless design review service simplify RF design with PIC32CX-BZ2 SoC. Microchip's WBZ451 module has been pre-certified by multiple global standards, and is equipped with optimized onboard RF design, making it easy for customers with little or no RF expertise to get started.

In addition to the MPLAB code configurator, the MPLAB Harmony v3 framework includes a number of other tools and an ecosystem of debuggers, programmers, virtual sniffer, and compilers. Additional support includes GitHub demo applications and documentation, wireless design review services, and building blocks that walk developers through all steps of the application development process. The PIC32CX-BZ2 family is supported by the PIC32CX-BZ2 and WBZ451 Curiosity development boards (Part number: EV96B94A).

PIC32CX-ZB2 series products are available in stock. The PIC32CX1012BZ25048-I and PIC32CX1012BZ25048-E SoC come in a 7 x 7 mm 48 pin square flat Leadless (QFN) package. The WBZ451PE-I and WBZ451UE-I modules come with an onboard printed circuit board (PCB) antenna and a U.F.L connector for external antennas, respectively