Microchip Technology Introduces One of the Smallest and Most Cost-Effective PIC(R) Microcontroller Solutions for Intelligent Motor Control.

PIC18F1330 Family Provides Control of Up to 3-Phase Motors in 18 and 20 Pins

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced the PIC18F1330 and PIC18F1230 8-bit microcontrollers for basic, open-loop and low-end closed-loop motor control that is not algorithmically intensive. Additionally, these new microcontrollers address motor control applications where cost and space are primary design concerns, via the combination of a specialized PWM peripheral with up to six channels and 10 MIPS performance at 40 MHz in packages as small as 18 pins.

Motor control is fast becoming a primary method for design engineers to reduce energy consumption and audible noise, while increasing the reliability and life of motors. The PIC18F1330 family of microcontrollers provides engineers with a complete, cost-effective system solution for simple motor control designs that have limited available space and strict budgetary requirements. At the same time, these new microcontrollers provide an upward migration path from the general-purpose PIC16F microcontroller families and migration to the PIC18F4431 family for more sophisticated motor control applications.

"There is a growing trend toward electronic motor control because of regulatory requirements for energy efficiency and demands for better reliability," said Mitch Obolsky, vice president of Microchip's Advanced Microcontroller Architecture Division. "The PIC18F1330 family of motor control microcontrollers provides engineers with a complete, cost-effective and reliable system solution for simple motor control designs."

The PIC18F1330 family provides electronic motor control of 3-phase ACIM VF motors, Brushed DC motors, 3-phase BLDC motors and stepper motors. Specific motor control application examples include: Appliance (washers, dryers, refrigerators, vacuums); Commercial (low-end UPS, switch-mode power supplies, arena lighting, fiber-optic routing, power-bridge drivers, fuel pumps, DC-DC converters, smart fan controllers); Automotive (door and window lifts, mirrors, sunroofs, anti-pinch windows, garage-door openers, throttle control, smart fan controllers, windshield wipers, power seats).

Additional key features of the PIC18F1330 motor control family include:

* Up to 8 Kbytes of Flash

* 128 bytes EEPROM

* 256 bytes RAM

* 2x 16-bit timers

* 3x 10-bit ADCs

* 3 comparators

* EUSART (LIN Interface)

* 14-bit, 3-phase PWM module with:

        -- Up to 3 channels of complimentary outputs

        -- Edge or center-aligned operation

        -- Override logic for special commutation functions

        -- Programmable dead-band delay

        -- Fault inputs for hardware shutdown

        -- Output override functions

Development Tools

The PIC18F1330 microcontrollers are supported by Microchip's world-class development tools, including the no-cost MPLAB([R]) IDE Integrated Development Environment, the MPLAB ICD 2 in-circuit debugger/programmer, the MPLAB C18 C compiler, the MPLAB VDI visual device initializer, and the Application Maestro[TM] software. Development board support is provided via the PIC18F1330 Daughter Card (part# AC162078) that plugs into both the PICDEM[TM] MC Motor Control Development Board (part# DM183011), available now for $299, and the PICDEM MC LV Motor Control Development Board (part# DM183021), available now for $129.99. Both feature a graphical user interface and were created specifically to support development of motor control applications with Microchip's PIC18 motor control families. Finally, extensive motor control design support documentation can be found on Microchip's Web site at www.microchip.com/motor.

Availability and Pricing

The PIC18F1330 and PIC18F1230 microcontrollers are available now for general sampling and volume-production orders in 18-pin PDIP and SOIC, 20-pin SSOP, and 28-pin 6x6 mm QFN packages, all of which are Pb-free and RoHS-compliant. Pricing starts at $2.00 each in 10,000 unit quantities. For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site at www.microchip.com/pic18f1330.

Microchip Customer Support

Microchip is committed to supporting its customers by helping design engineers develop products faster and more efficiently. Customers can access four main service areas at www.microchip.com. The Support area provides a fast way to get questions answered; the Sample area offers free evaluation samples of any Microchip device; microchipDIRECT provides 24-hour pricing, ordering, inventory and credit for convenient purchasing of all Microchip devices and development tools; finally, the Training area educates customers through webinars, sign-ups for local seminar and workshop courses, and information about the annual MASTERs events held throughout the world.

About Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MCHP) 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, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com.

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

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