PIC32CX-BZ2 MCU family includes built-in Bluetooth Low Energy and other wireless functionality with premium analog performance and comprehensive design support
Wireless connectivity has become a mandatory feature for many products butoften increases the cost and complexity of system design since it generally must be added as part of the larger application.Microchip Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MCHP)is introducing its first Arm Cortex®-M4F-based PIC microcontroller (MCU) family today thatsolves this wireless connectivity design challenge by integrating Bluetooth Low Energy functionalitydirectly into one of a system’s most basic components, supported by one of the industry’s most comprehensive developer ecosystems.
“Our PIC32CX-BZ2 MCU familyremoves barriers that havemade it difficultto bringwireless applications to market, from availability problems and complexity challenges toregulatory certification hurdles and long-term supportconcerns,” said Steve Caldwell, vice president of Microchip’s wireless solutions business unit. “Our family tightly integrates wireless connectivity with an MCUthat is built on ourdecades of specialized experience and backed by a vertical manufacturing approach that encompassesICs, Microchip’s highly integrated software stacks, in-house module manufacturing and a customer-driven obsolescence practice.”
Microchip’s PIC32CX-BZ2 family includes System-on-Chip (SoC) devices as well asglobal regulatory-certified, RF-ready modules. In addition to Bluetooth Low Energy functionality, the family includes Zigbee® stacks and Over the Air (OTA) update capabilities.Hardware features includea 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC), multiple timer/counters for control (TCC) channels, an on-board encryption engine, and abroad set of interfaces to touch, CAN, sensor, display and other peripherals. The family’s 1MB of Flash memory supportslarge application codes, multiprotocol wireless stacks, and OTA updates. AEC-Q100 Grade 1 (125 °C) qualified packages further simplify wireless connectivity integration where highly robust solutions are required.
The PIC32CX-BZ2 MCU family simplifies development through Microchip’s MPLAB® Harmony 32-bit embedded software development framework.MPLAB Code Configurator integration enables developers to quickly begin prototyping with the PIC32CX-BZ2 family using drag-and-drop auto code generation.Numerous application code examples are hosted on GitHub and linked through MPLAB Code Configurator and MPLAB Discover. RF design with PIC32CX-BZ2 SoCs is simplified with the ecosystem’s chip-down reference design packages and wireless design check services. Customers with little to no RF expertise can benefit from Microchip’s WBZ451 modules that are pre-certified to multiple regulations around the world and feature an optimized on-board RF design.
Development Tools
In addition to the MPLAB Code Configurator, the MPLAB Harmony v3 framework includes numerous other tools and an ecosystem of debuggers, programmers, virtual sniffer, and compilers.Other support includes GitHub demo applications and documentation, wireless design check services, and building blocks that walk developers through all the steps involved in the application development process. The PIC32CX-BZ2 family is supported by the PIC32CX-BZ2 and WBZ451 Curiosity Development Board (Part number: EV96B94A).
Availability
The PIC32CX-ZB2 familyis in-stockand available now. PIC32CX1012BZ25048-I and PIC32CX1012BZ25048-E SoCs ship in 7×7 mm 48 Quad-Flat No-leads (QFN) packages. The WBZ451PE-I and the WBZ451UE-I modules come with an on-board Printed Circuit Board (PCB) antenna and a U.FL connector for external antenna respectively.
For additional information or to purchase, contact a Microchip sales representative, authorized worldwide distributor or visit Microchip’s Purchasing and Client Services website.
