Microchip Technology Announces 49 New 16-bit MCUs and DSCs; Significantly Increases Options for Embedded Designers.

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- New PIC24 and dsPIC33F Families Provide More Performance, Memory and Peripherals for Embedded Designers Seeking Lower System Cost and Faster Time to Market

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced its first 16-bit microcontroller (MCU) family -- the PIC24 -- as well as its second 16-bit digital signal controller (DSC) family -- the dsPIC33. The two families offer 49 new 16-bit devices for embedded system designers requiring increased performance, memory and peripherals. Combined with the current 21 DSC products in our dsPIC30 family, this brings the total 16-bit devices offered by Microchip to 70.

Today's embedded system designers are faced with the challenges of delivering projects on schedule while hitting cost goals, responding to new customer and marketing requests, and providing significant product differentiation. Microchip's new 16-bit MCU and DSC families cost-effectively address these needs with up to 40 MIPS of performance -- the industry's highest performance for 16-bit MCUs. For 8-bit MCU users, the PIC24 and dsPIC33F families represent a cost-effective increase in performance, memory and peripherals while maintaining the architectural efficiencies that embedded-control applications require, such as interrupt responsiveness, excellent bit manipulation and industry-leading C code efficiency.

To further enable fast and efficient development cycles, the new 16-bit families continue Microchip's seamless migration path from Mid-Range 8-bit MCUs to the new PIC24 and dsPIC33 families in terms of nomenclature, pin and peripheral compatibility. Additionally, engineers can lower their tool investments and learning curves through Microchip's universal MPLAB(R) Integrated Development Environment (IDE) platform, which works across Microchip's more than 350 8-bit and 16-bit device offerings.

"Providing cost-effective, compatible product families to enable our customers' success has always been the core of Microchip's strategy. Today, we are adding 49 PIC24 MCUs and dsPIC33F DSCs to our 16-bit product line," said Ganesh Moorthy, vice president of Microchip's Advanced Microcontroller and Memory Division. "These products provide our large 8-bit customer base with effective migration paths as their design requirements grow, as well as provide competitive alternatives to new customers who are looking for 16-bit device suppliers with a proven track record of innovation, a broad portfolio of products that are easy to use, and outstanding development tools and support to ensure their success."

"With their dsPIC(R) DSCs and PIC24 MCUs, Microchip is the only company on the planet with truly unified DSP and MCU product lines," said Will Strauss, president of Forward Concepts. "The dsPIC33 family gives MCU people an easy migration path to DSP performance."

Development Tools and Availability

In addition to being compatible with the MPLAB IDE, the PIC24 and dsPIC33F families are supported by existing Microchip development tools, such as the MPLAB C30 C compiler, emulation, debugging and the MPLAB PM3 universal device programmer. Microchip also created the Explorer 16 Development board in support of all 16-bit controllers. The Explorer 16 (part # DM240001) is expected to be available in November 2005.

Selected members of the new PIC24 and dsPIC33F families are available today for early-adopter sampling. General sampling for all 49 of the PIC24 and dsPIC33F controllers is expected to begin in calendar Q1 2006, and volume production is planned to start in calendar Q2 2006. For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site at www.microchip.com/16bit.

About Microchip Technology

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, dsPIC, and MPLAB are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

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