Microchip Technology's PIC Microcontrollers Bring 14-30% Energy Savings to Motor Control Applications in the Appliance, Automotive, Industrial and Consumer Markets.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 2004

Microchip Expands Motor Control Tools and Devices

for Engineers to Easily Add Electronic Intelligence to

Their Motor-Driven Embedded Designs

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced an expansion of its current offerings for the burgeoning electronic motor control market in the form of a new PIC(R) microcontroller and three new MPLAB(R) compatible development tools. With over 7 billion motors manufactured every year and only about 20% of them controlled electronically(1), Microchip's complete system solution for a broad range of motor types makes it easy for engineers of all experience levels to cost-effectively add the efficiency and reliability of electronic motor control to their embedded designs.

Manufacturers are under increasing pressure, due to stringent worldwide environmental regulations, to increase the energy efficiency of motor-driven products. As the No. 1 supplier of 8-bit microcontrollers in unit shipments worldwide (according to Gartner Dataquest), with over 3 billion units shipped to date, Microchip has for years been helping design engineers add intelligence to their motor-driven products and meet the stringent environmental standards mandated by these global regulatory initiatives. Just by adding variable-speed control through Microchip's PIC 8-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) and dsPIC(R) 16-bit digital signal controllers (DSCs), designers can achieve a 14-30% energy savings in a number of motor control applications(2) from the appliance, automotive, industrial and consumer markets.

Today, Microchip expands its motor control solutions with new development systems and a new PIC microcontroller. The no-cost Motor Control Graphical User Interface software speeds development time with the motor control development boards and systems for Microchip's PIC 8-bit MCUs. One such development board is the new PICDEM(TM) MC, which supports creation of both AC Induction Motor (ACIM) and Brushless DC (BLDC) advanced motor control applications with Microchip's PIC18FXX31 family of MCUs. In addition, the dsPIC30F Motor Control Development System is a complete set of modular development tools and software libraries that supports designs using all seven dsPIC30F motor control DSCs. On the device side, the new 18-pin PIC16F716 MCU offers a low-cost option for simple motor control applications like power tools.

"There is a growing trend toward electronic motor control because it provides unprecedented levels of reduced energy consumption in motor-driven products," said Ganesh Moorthy, vice president of Microchip Technology's Advanced Microcontroller and Memory Division. "By expanding our motor control development tools and offering low-cost 8-bit PIC microcontrollers with advanced peripherals, Microchip continues to make motor control easy for both the beginner and the expert."

Motor Control Development Systems

Many designers of motor-driven products are unfamiliar with electronic motor control. To expedite the learning curve, Microchip has created the new Motor Control Graphical User Interface (MC-GUI). The MC-GUI is available at no cost via download from www.microchip.com/motor, and offers an easy-to-use Windows(R)-based software environment that can be used to reliably create, adapt and modify designs by engineers of all skill levels. The result is that designers working with Microchip's motor control development boards and systems for PIC 8-bit MCUs and dsPIC 16-bit DSCs will be able to reduce development time and costs.

The new PICDEM MC development board is compatible with the MC-GUI and supports both ACIM and BLDC motor designs for the PIC18FXX31 family of PIC MCUs, which feature three advanced motion control modules, including a built-in quadrature encoder interface. The PICDEM MC board is also constructed with complete electrical isolation from the power circuitry, allowing users to plug in the MPLAB In-Circuit Emulator (ICE 2000) or MPLAB In-Circuit Debugger (ICD 2) for full programming, debugging and emulation while a high power source is connected to the board. In addition, the PICDEM MC board's isolated serial-port PC interface to the MC-GUI software enables users to modify their application parameters on the fly. The PICDEM MC combines the above features with included hex, assembler and C source files to provide a complete reference design for ACIM and BLDC motor control applications.

Microchip's dsPIC30F Motor Control Development System is ideal for motor control applications that require higher precision, higher-speed operation or sensorless control. This complete set of modular development tools and software libraries support designs using all seven dsPIC30F 16-bit DSCs targeted for motor control and power conversion applications (the dsPIC30F2010, 3010, 4012, 3011, 4011, 5015 and 6010). This system provides a method for quick prototyping and validation of BLDC, Permanent Magnet, ACIM and Switched Reluctance motor applications, and the modular component system allows users to match the power module to the desired motor type (an optional reference ACIM or BLDC motor is also available). The core of the system is the dsPICDEM(TM) MC1 Motor Control Development Board, which features a dsPIC30F6010 DSC programmed with some of the most common motor control routines: commutation for BDC and BLDC motors, and a variable volts/hertz control routine for ACIM (Sensorless BLDC software is also available). The dsPICDEM MC 1 also facilitates easy swapping with other dsPIC30F6010 devices or connection to the MPLAB ICE 4000 emulator and the MPLAB ICD 2 debugger.

PIC16F716 Microcontroller

The new 18-pin PIC16F716 8-bit Flash MCU serves the needs of cost- and space-sensitive motor control applications, like power tools and small home appliances. The device features an Enhanced Capture/Compare/PWM (ECCP) module, which enables bi-directional Brushed DC (BDC) motor control. The ECCP module offers four PWM outputs, programmable dead-band control and auto shutdown to enhance safety in motor control applications. Programmable Brown-Out Detection/Reset (PBOR) allows users to select between 4V and 2.5V, depending on application needs, for improved reliability. In addition, this MCU features four channels of 8-bit Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC).

The PIC16F716 device is one of many from Microchip that make motor control easy, including: the 8-bit PIC18FXX31 family for low-cost, advanced BLDC and ACIM motor control applications; the 16-bit dsPIC30F DSC motor control and power conversion family, which is ideal for motor control applications that require higher precision, higher-speed operation or sensorless control; the PIC16F7X7 8-bit MCU family for efficient motor control of open-loop applications with induction motors; and a complete line of extended-temperature MOSFET Drivers, Fan Managers and Analog Peripherals (like operational amplifiers and temperature sensors).

Availability

Microchip's Motor Control Graphical User Interface is available now at no cost via download from www.microchip.com/motor. The PICDEM MC Development Board (DM183011) is available now for a resale price of $299. The dsPIC30F Motor Control Development System is available now, with the dsPICDEM MC1 Motor Control Development Board (DM300020) selling for $300. In addition, the dsPICDEM MC1H 3-Phase High Voltage Power Module (DM300021) sells for $800, and the dsPICDEM MC1L 3-Phase Low Voltage Power Module (DM300022) is priced at $700. The PIC16F716 microcontroller is available now for general samples and volume production in 18-pin PDIP and SOIC packages, and a 20-pin SSOP package. For additional information or for pricing on the PIC16F716 and the various dsPIC30F Motor Control Development System modules, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Motor Control Design Center at www.microchip.com/motor.

Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Ariz., Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip Web site at www.microchip.com.

Note: The Microchip name and logo, PIC, MPLAB, and dsPIC are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the United States and other countries. PICDEM and dsPICDEM are trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are property of their respective companies.

Pricing and photos available through editorial contact.

Sources:

(1) Motion Tech Trends

(2) Motion Tech Trends