Microchip Technology Makes It Easy to Create Power-Supply Applications with New Online Design Center.Design Center Provides Technical Resources To Develop Power-Supply Applications Involving All Four Levels of Digital Control CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Microchip Technology  Microchip Technology (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a manufacturer of microcontroller, memory and analog semiconductors, founded in 1989 when Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQin full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :MCHP MCHP Maryland Children's Health Program MCHP Microchip Technologies (stock symbol) MCHP Micro-sized Combined Heat and Power (American Honda Motor Co. & Climate Energy, LLC) MCHP Maine Community Heritage Project ), a leading provider of microcontroller A single chip that contains the processor (the CPU), non-volatile memory for the program (ROM or flash), volatile memory for input and output (RAM), a clock and an I/O control unit. and analog semiconductors, today announced an online Intelligent Power-Supply Design Center (http://www.microchip.com/power). This comprehensive Web site provides technical tools and resources needed to design analog power-supply applications, augment existing analog power-supply applications with inexpensive microcontrollers, or design Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS SMPS Society for Marketing Professional Services SMPS Switching Mode Power Supply SMPS Switched Mode Power Supply ) applications involving digital control of the power-conversion feedback loop. The Design Center offers complete access to Microchip's power-supply application notes and reference designs, which include everything from a pure analog approach to completely digital implementations. Links to Microchip simulation tools (including the Mindi[TM] simulation tool for battery charger and power-supply circuits) and other technical documentation are included, to help engineers get their products to market more quickly and efficiently. The Intelligent Power-Supply Design Center offers design tools at each of four levels of digital integration into power supplies. Level one involves an 8-bit microcontroller used to implement simple functions, such as soft start. At level two, the loop is still analog, yet an 8- or 16-bit microcontroller provides basic proportional control A proportional control system is a type of linear feedback control system. Two classic mechanical examples are the toilet bowl float proportioning valve and the fly-ball governor. . The loop is also still analog at level three, yet an 8- or 16-bit microcontroller or Digital Signal Controller See DSC. (DSC (1) (Digital Signal Controller) A microcontroller and DSP combined on the same chip. It adds the interrupt-driven capabilities normally associated with a microcontroller to a DSP, which typically functions as a continuous process. See microcontroller and DSP. ) can modify the topology of the power supply. At level four of digital integration into power supplies, the power-conversion loop is fully digital and managed by a DSC with specialized peripherals. "Microchip is pleased to continue supporting to the power-supply market with our Intelligent Power-Supply Design Center," said Lucio Di Jasio, Application Segments manager with Microchip. "From completely analog to analog-based designs that incorporate digital to varying degrees, the Design Center is an easy-to-use, free resource to help designers get their products to market faster and continue to develop their knowledge with up-to-date Webinars and design tips." Microchip has long provided inexpensive PIC([R]) microcontroller and analog products to the power-supply market, and recently announced a new family of dsPIC([R]) DSCs (dsPIC30F1010/2020/2023) for full digital control of SMPSs. iSuppli senior power management analyst, Marijana Vukisevic, said the following regarding the new DSCs: "Microchip's dsPIC DSCs for SMPSs offer the unique combination of small package, low price and high performance that enables power-supply designers to enjoy the benefits of digital power, such as freedom to innovate, ease-of-manufacturing and design changes on-the-fly through firmware, rather than hardware. Further, with their high-performance ADC (1) See A/D converter. (2) (Apple Display Connector) A peripheral connector from Apple that combines digital video display, USB and power in one cable. , PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) A modulation technique that generates variable-width pulses to represent the amplitude of an analog input signal. Like its fixed-width pulse density modulation (PDM) cousin, the output switching transistor is on more of the time for a and analog- comparator comparator Instrument for comparing something with a similar thing or with a standard measure, in particular to measure small displacements in mechanical devices. In astronomy, the blink comparator is used to examine photographic plates for signs of moving bodies. peripherals that enable cycle-by-cycle current limiting Current limiting is the practice in electrical or electronic circuits of imposing an upper limit on the current that may be delivered to a load with the purpose of protecting the circuit generating or transmitting the current from harmful effects due to a short-circuit or similar , these devices were clearly designed specifically for SMPSs, with a deep understanding of the specific needs of these types of applications." For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site at www.microchip.com/power. 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, Ariz., 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, dsPIC and PIC are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the U.S.A. and other countries. Mindi is a trademark of Microchip Technology in the U.S.A. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are property of their respective companies. -- Photo available through editorial contact -- |
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