Microchip boosts performance on low-cost, small package PIC32 MX1/MX2 MCUs

I've said it before and I'll say it again – I LOVE these streamlined releases from the guys and gals at Microchip because they provide all the information I want to see in a concise, to-the-point manner (of course you can Click Here if you want to see the long, boring version).

Key Facts

• The folks from Microchip have announced a 25% performance boost on their 32-bit PIC32MX1/MX2 microcontrollers (MCUs).
• Increasing their speed to 50 MHz or 83 DMIPS, Microchip is taking the PIC32 MX1/MX2 MCUs’ performance to a new level, in combination with its feature-packed peripherals and 4-channel DMA.
• The PIC32MX1/MX2 series includes Microchip’s smallest 32-bit MCUs, with sizes down to 5 mm x 5 mm and a 0.5 mm pitch, as well as the lowest-cost PIC32 MCUs.  These devices include up to 128K Flash and 32K RAM, and integrate peripherals for touch-sensing, audio-processing and advanced-control applications.
• Integrated peripherals include a hardware module for adding mTouch capacitive-touch buttons or advanced sensors, an 8-bit Parallel Master Port (PMP) interface for graphics or external memory, a 10-bit 1-Msps 13-channel Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), and serial communications peripherals.  The MX2 series adds USB On-the-Go (OTG) capabilities.
• PIC32MX1 and MX2 MCUs are targeted for low-cost applications in the consumer and automotive markets, such as consumer music-player docks, noise-cancelling headsets, clock radios, and entertainment-system sound bars, as well as touch screens with buttons and sliders, graphic displays and USB device/host applications.
• Additionally, in the case of medical and industrial markets, applications include industrial-grade noise-cancelling headsets and medical/industrial displays with touch-sensing capabilities.

Pricing, packaging, and availability
Starting at $1.74 each in 10,000-unit quantities, the PIC32MX1/MX2 is available now in 28-pin SOIC, SPDIP and SSOP packages; a 36-pin VTLA package; and 44-pin QFN, TQFP and VTLA packages.  The series is available today for both sampling and volume production.

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