Microchip Brings an Additional 29 16-bit MCUs and DSCs to Volume Production

Microchip Technology Brings an Additional 29 16-bit MCUs and DSCs to

Volume Production

PIC24 and dsPIC33 Families Provide More Performance, Memory and Peripherals for Embedded Designers Seeking Lower System Costs and Faster Time to Market

CHANDLER, Ariz., Sept. 6, 2006 [NASDAQ: MCHP] — Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced that 16 members of its 16-bit PIC24 microcontroller (MCU) family and 13 members of its dsPIC33 16-bit digital signal controller (DSC) family are now shipping in volume.

This number includes nine of Microchip’s PIC24F series of 16-bit microcontrollers, which offer a cost-effective step up in performance, memory and peripherals for many applications that are pushing the envelope of 8-bit microcontroller capabilities. Also available are seven members of the PIC24H series, which has an industry-leading 40 MIPS throughput, more memory and additional peripherals, such as CAN communication modules.

Today’s embedded system designers are faced with the challenges of delivering projects on schedule while hitting cost goals, responding to new customer and marketing requests, and providing significant product differentiation. To meet these requirements, both of the 16-bit PIC24 microcontroller series maintain compatibility with Microchip’s universal MPLAB^® Integrated Development Environment (IDE) development-tool platform, and software compatibility with all dsPIC^® digital signal controllers, for a simplified upward migration path. Further enabling efficient development cycles and migration, these 16-bit families are fully compatible in terms of pin and peripheral compatibility. Additionally, all of Microchip’s 16-bit MCUs and DSCs maintain the architectural efficiencies that embedded-control applications require, such as interrupt responsiveness, excellent bit manipulation and industry-leading C code efficiency.

“Many of our 16-bit customers have completed development and are commencing volume production. With today’s announcement, we are adding 29 options to our volume 16-bit offerings from our award-winning PIC24 and dsPIC33 families,” said Ganesh Moorthy, vice president of Microchip’s Advanced Microcontroller and Memory Division. “These products provide our large 8-bit customer base with effective migration paths as their design requirements grow, as well as providing competitive alternatives to new customers who are looking for 16-bit device suppliers with a proven track record of innovation, a broad portfolio of products that are easy to use, and outstanding development tools and support to ensure their success.”

"With their dsPIC DSCs and PIC24 MCUs, Microchip is the only company on the planet with truly unified DSP and MCU product lines," said Will Strauss, president of Forward Concepts. "The dsPIC33 family gives MCU people an easy migration path to DSP performance."

Development Tools

Engineers can lower their tool investments and learning curves through Microchip’s free, universal MPLAB^® Integrated Development Environment (IDE) platform, which works across Microchip’s more than 350 8-bit and 16-bit device offerings. Additionally, the PIC24 and dsPIC33 families are supported by Microchip’s broad portfolio of development tools, such as the MPLAB C30 C compiler, emulator, debugger and the MPLAB PM3 universal device programmer. Microchip also created the Explorer 16 Development Board in support of all 16-bit controllers. The Explorer 16 (part # DM240001) is available now for $129.99 from http://www.microchipdirect.com.

Pricing and Availability

Volume production for all 29 of the PIC24 and dsPIC33 products listed below is available today in 64-, 80- and 100-pin TQFP RoHS-compliant packages at www.microchipdirect.com, and general sampling is available at http://sample.microchip.com. Pricing in 10,000-unit quantities starts at $3.33 each for the PIC24F, $3.87 each for the PIC24H and $4.07 each for the dsPIC33. For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip’s Web site at www.microchip.com/16bit.

Note: The Microchip name and logo, PIC, dsPIC, and MPLAB are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the USA and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

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