Key Facts:

  • PIC® MCUs with 16-bit PWMs and communications for precision drive capability in a small form factor
  • Lowest cost PIC MCU with EUSART, advanced PWMs and core independent peripherals
  • Combines Complementary Waveform Generator with rich analogue peripherals
  • Offers low-power technology for battery-powered applications

Microchip announces an expansion of its 8-bit PIC® microcontroller (MCU) portfolio with the PIC12(L)F157X family, which features multiple 16-bit PWMs with an assortment of analogue peripherals and serial communications in an 8-pin package. These MCUs deliver three

full-featured 16-bit PWMs with independent timers, for applications where high resolution is needed, such as LED lighting, stepper motors, battery charging and other general-purpose applications. In addition to standard and centre-aligned PWM output modes, the peripheral also has four compare modes and can serve as an additional 16-bit timer.

The Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), in combination with the 16-bit PWMs, can be used to create half-bridge and full-bridge drive control. The CWG is a powerful waveform generator, which can generate complementary waveforms with fine control of key parameters such as polarity, dead band and emergency shutdown states. It provides a cost-effective solution, saving both board space and component cost when driving FETs in motor-control and power-conversion applications. The CWG and 16-bit PWMs are Core Independent Peripherals (CIP) which are coupled with the 10-bit ADCs, comparator and 5-bit DAC Analogue Peripherals to enable closed-loop feedback and control. The PIC12F157X MCUs are well suited for a wide range of applications, such as indoor/outdoor LED lighting, and RGB LED colour mixing; consumer applications such as electric razors and radio-control toys; and automotive interior LED lighting.

The PIC12F1572 enables communication with an EUSART, at the lowest price-point in the PIC MCU portfolio. The addition of the EUSART enables general-purpose serial communication and LIN for automotive and industrial control. The integrated 10-bit ADCs enable human-interface/touch applications using Microchip’s capacitive mTouch™ sensing solution. Additionally, the PIC12F157X offers non-volatile data storage via High Endurance Flash (HEF) memory. The “LF” versions feature low-power technology, for active currents of less than 35 µA/MHz and sleep currents down to 20 nA, which is ideal for battery-powered applications.                                                                                                                       

Microchip’s full suite of development tools supports the PIC12F157X MCUs, including the MPLAB® X Integrated Development Environment (IDE); and the PICkit™ 3 (PG164130) which is priced at $44.95; the 8-bit Low Pin Count Development Kit (DM164130-9) at $25.99; MPLAB ICD 3 (DV164035) at $189.99; and PICDEM™ Lab Development Kit (DM163045) at $134.99.  Microchip has also created the RGB Badge Demonstration Platform and High Resolution RGB LED Colour Mixing Application Note #AN1562 to assist developers in designing lighting applications using the PIC12F157X family.

The PIC12LF1571, PIC12LF1572, PIC12F1571 and PIC12F1572 MCUs are all available today for sampling and volume production, in 8-pin PDIP, SOIC, MSOP and 3 mm x 3 mm DFN packages.

For more information, visit Microchip’s Web site at http://www.microchip.com/get/G6RB.