Microchip Technology Announces System Integration Demonstration Board

Microchip Technology Inc. announced the PICDEM™ System Management Kit, a demonstration and training tool for individuals designing larger, computer-based systems. The PICDEM System Management board integrates common functions, such as a dedicated Real-Time Clock (RTC), serial EEPROM, thermal-management, Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and power sequencing into a single PIC® microcontroller. Many complex, multifunction systems can benefit from a single PIC microcontroller programmed to perform these tasks.

The PICDEM System Management Kit also includes a PICkit™ Serial Analyzer, to demonstrate how the functions can be managed and monitored through a serial communications interface. The PICkit Serial Analyzer is a low-cost development tool that allows communication between a PC and the serial protocol of the system under test.

"There are many embedded applications that could stand to benefit from the cost and performance advantages that a PIC microcontroller can provide in large systems," said Derek Carlson, Vice President of Microchip Development Tools. "With the PICDEM System Management Kit, Microchip makes it easy to perform consolidation using peripheral-rich PIC microcontrollers."

In addition to being able to purchase the stand-alone PICDEM System Management Kit, Microchip plans to offer classes through its worldwide Regional Training Centers. The first series of classes, titled "309 SMW: System Management Workshop", is expected to begin in North America at Dallas on March 20, Cleveland on March 22, Orange County, California on March 28, and Boston and Chicago on March 29.

Available now, the PICDEM System Management Kit (Part# DM164123) is $110 and includes a PICDEM System Management demo board, PICkit Serial Analyzer, USB cable and instructional CDs.