Microchip Extends PICmicro MCUs with PIC18FXX20 Series

Microchip Technology Inc. (Chandler, AZ) announced a new PIC18F family of six PICmicro® Flash microcontrollers, featuring Microchip's nanoWatt technology, which refers to advanced PMOS electrically erasable cell process technology, circuit design and manufacturing techniques unique to Microchip. The new PIC18FXX20 family of enhanced power-managed modes features power consumption as low as 0.1µA in standby mode and offers a wide operating voltage range from 2V to 5.5V, making them suitable for battery-managed applications.

The new PIC18FXX20 family offers power-managed features that allow designers to lower their current consumption and better control their overall system power consumption by utilizing the software-controlled enhanced power modes. The PIC18FXX20 Series was designed with reprogrammable Flash that enables "fix on the fly" capability and one-time validation. The PIC18FXX20 microcontrollers are pin- and code-compatible with Microchip's current 18-, 28- and 40-pin portfolio, allowing designers to reuse software and hardware in existing platforms.

Available packages include 18-pin PDIP and SOIC, 20-pin SSOP, 28-pin PDIP, SOIC, Quad Flat No-Lead (QFN) and 44- and 40-pin PDIP, TQFP, QFN packages. The PIC18FXX20 family is priced between $1.80 and $3.50 in volume manufacturing quantities depending on device, temperature range, package and operating voltage. Samples are now available with volume shipments planned for December 2002.