Microchip Technology Raises PICmicro Performance Speed

    CHANDLER, Ariz.--March 19, 2001--Providing the flexibility to operate at higher frequencies, Microchip Technology increased the top-end performance of its 8-bit PICmicro(R) microcontrollers to a maximum speed of 40 MHz.
    Offering 10 MIPS capability, the PIC16C5X and PIC16C6XX families of microcontrollers provide a flexible, cost-effective solution when higher operating speeds are needed.
    Possessing an operating speed of 40 MHz at 5 volts +/- 10 percent operation and 10 MIPS of single-cycle instruction execution, the devices afford a code compatible, high performance migration path to Microchip's family of PIC18CXXX devices.
    Advantages of the flexible and cost-effective memory include the ability to react to code changes and reduced verification cycles coupled with increased speed. Shorter lead times to market, ease of code revisions and reduced Work in Progress (WIP) liability are additional benefits of the various memory technologies.
    Markets targeted for the devices include consumer electronics (i.e., electronic fuses, digital lighting, ballast control, video cameras), telecommunications (i.e., cordless phones, fiber optical controllers, RF module control, cellular security), automotive (smart vehicle sensors, speed sensors) and industrial (i.e., smart sensors, local controllers, laser beam leveling, medical instrumentation).
    Supporting the devices is the powerful, low-cost PICmicro microcontroller development option, the PICSTART(R) Plus programmer kit, which includes the PICC Lite(TM) C Compiler and is available for $199.
    The PIC16C5X and PIC16C6XX families of microcontrollers are available in a variety of lower pin counts that include 18 lead PDIP and SOIC packages, 20 lead SSOP packages and 28 lead PDIP and SOIC packages. Pricing for all of the devices is approximately three percent above the company's current 20 MHz devices.
    Samples are available now with volume production scheduled for April 2001. For more information, contact www.microchip.com or any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor.