Microchip introduces a new 32-bit PIC32 family of MCUS optimized for motor control and general purpose applications

     Microchip Technology has announced the latest PIC32 MCU family. The new PIC32MK family consists of four highly integrated MCUS for high-precision dual-motor control applications (PIC32MK MC) and eight MCU devices with serial communication modules for general-purpose applications (PIC32MK GP). All MC and GP devices include a 120 MHz 32-bit core that supports DSP (digital signal processor) instructions. In addition, to simplify the development of control algorithms, a double-precision floating-point unit is integrated into the MCU core so that customers can use floating-point based modeling and simulation tools for code development.

     To increase efficiency and reduce the number of discrete devices required in motor control applications, the high-performance PIC32MK MC device not only has 32-bit processing power, but also integrates a number of advanced analog peripherals, such as a 4-in-1 10 MHz operational amplifier, multiple high-speed comparators, and an optimized pulse width modulation (PWM) module for motor control. At the same time, these devices also contain multiple analog-to-digital converter (ADC) modules, which can achieve a throughput of 25.45 MSPS (megabits per second) in 12-bit mode and 33.79 MSPS in 8-bit mode, which helps achieve higher accuracy for motor control applications. In addition, these devices have up to 1 MB of real-time update flash memory, 4KB of EEPROM, and 256 KB of SRAM.

     Rod Drake, vice president of Microchip's MCU32 business unit, said: "The PIC32MK family is a continuation of Microchip's motor control product line. With these new devices, traditional 8-bit and 16-bit users can switch to 32-bit MCUS dedicated to motor control while still enjoying the support provided by classic Microchip development tools. The family also includes general-purpose MCUS with a variety of serial communication modules, making it ideal for industrial applications."

     The PIC32MK family of devices integrates best-in-class connectivity performance, including up to four separate CAN 2.0 ports, six universal asynchronous transceiver (UART) modules, Local Area Internet (LIN) 1.2, and six serial peripheral interface (SPI) or integrated circuit built-in audio (I2S) modules. In addition, some devices also integrate 2 complete full-speed USB modules to keep the synchronized USB host and USB device working at the same time. In the PIC32MK family of devices, a single MCU CAN communicate with multiple bus protocols, which reduces design complexity and cost, making it ideal for a variety of dual USB applications, such as digital audio and CAN-based applications in the automotive and industrial sectors.