News

Development Board for Real-Time Sensing & Control with Google Cloud IoT Core

February 22, 2019 by Scott McMahan

Microchip Technology announced the release of a rapid development board for Google Cloud IoT Core. The PIC-IoT WG Development Board combines the company's latest low-power model of its specialized MCU that the company calls a Peripheral Interface Control (PIC) MCU. The company pointed out that as developers migrate next-generation MCU-based applications to the cloud, they currently must overcome complexities related to communications protocols, security, and hardware compatibility.

Applications for the development board include battery-operated, real-time sensing and control

In addition to the MCU, the rapid development board incorporates a CryptoAuthentication™ secure element IC and fully certified Wi-Fi® network controller. According to the company, the solution offers a simple way to connect and secure applications based on its PIC MCU.

Furthermore, the company says it saves time, reduces cost, and eliminates security vulnerabilities that come with large software frameworks and Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS). Once connected, Google Cloud IoT Core delivers powerful data and analytics capabilities that can result in better, smarter products.

As part of Microchip's extended partnership with Google Cloud, Microchip says that the PIC-IoT WG Development Board enables PIC MCU designers to easily add cloud connectivity to next-generation products using a free online portal.

https://youtu.be/6NYZhA4b9g0

MCC Rapid Development Tool

Once connected, developers can apply Microchip's MPLAB® Code Configurator (MCC) rapid development tool to develop, debug, and customize their application.

The board combines smart, connected, and secure devices to enable designers to create connected applications in minutes. Such applications include battery-operated, real-time sensing and control using the eXtreme Low-Power (XLP) PIC24FJ128GA705 MCU with integrated Core Independent Peripherals. The PIC24FJ128GA705 MCU offers the simplicity of the PIC architecture with added memory and advanced analog integration.

Microchip designed its latest Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) to handle complex applications with less code and decreased power consumption. The company says that the board combines performance with extremely low power consumption.

Security

The rapid development board also incorporates the ATECC608A CryptoAuthentication device to protect the root of trust in hardware and provide a trusted and protected identity for each device that can be securely authenticated. ATECC608A devices come pre-registered on Google Cloud IoT Core and are ready for use with zero-touch provisioning.

Network Control

Another component of the developement board is the network controller, ATWINC1510, that provides Wi-Fi connectivity to Google Cloud: The ATWINC1510 is an industrial-grade, fully certified IEEE 802.11 b/g/n IoT network controller that enables simple connectivity to an MCU of choice via a flexible SPI interface. The module relieves designers from needing expertise in networking protocols.

"Microchip continues to introduce new rapid development tools that enable PIC MCU designers to meet changing application requirements and create differentiated products," said Steve Drehobl, vice president of Microchip's 8- and 16-bit MCU business units. "As designers add cloud connectivity and migrate their applications to the Internet of Things (IoT), our PIC-IoT WG development board provides a simplified development process to bring designs to market quickly."

Google Cloud IoT Core provides a fully managed service that enables designers to quickly and securely connect, manage and ingest data from devices at a global scale. The platform collects, processes, and analyzes data in real time to improve operational efficiency in embedded designs.

"The PIC-IoT WG development board provides Google Cloud IoT customers another option to accelerate the development of cloud-connected applications, without compromising on security," said Antony Passemard, Head of Product Management for Google Cloud IoT. "Combined with Google Cloud Platform's network infrastructure and Google's IoT services, the simplicity of the board makes powerful analytics tools and unique machine learning capabilities accessible to anyone."

The PIC-IoT WG development board joins the company's recently announced AVR-IoT WG development board, giving designers the flexibility to easily create cloud-connected applications with their preferred MCU architecture.

Development Tools

The PIC-IoT WG development board is supported by the MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and MCC rapid prototyping tool. The board is compatible with more than 450 MikroElektronika Click boards™ that expand sensors and actuator options. Developers who purchase the kit have access to an online portal for immediate visualization of their sensors' data being published. Supported by complete board schematics and demo code, the PIC-IoT WG development board helps get differentiated IoT end products to market quickly.

Pricing and Availability

The PIC-IoT WG Development Board (AC164164) is available in volume production now for $29 each and is available for purchase from the PIC-IoT portal.