Microchip Technology Packs EEPROM, A/D Converter, Oscillator in Tiny 8-Pin Microcontrollers.

CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 10, 1998--Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MCHP) Wednesday introduced the world's first 8-bit RISC microcontrollers featuring EEPROM data memory, four-channel 8-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) converter and on-chip oscillator -- all in an 8-pin package.

The one-time programmable (OTP) PIC12CE673 and PIC12CE674 extend Microchip's family of 8-pin microcontrollers, providing a powerful feature set, very small package and reduced manufacturing costs ideal for high volume applications.

The PIC12CE673 features 1,024 x 14 words and the PIC12CE674 offers 2,048 x 14 words of OTP program memory. Both devices contain 128 bytes of SRAM and 16 bytes of EEPROM data memory, allowing critical system parameter storage distributed throughout the application.

With OTP program memory, the PIC12CE673 and PIC12CE674 enable more than 20x faster programming time typical when compared with a competing Flash-based microcontroller device for one program memory location (100 microseconds versus 2.5 milliseconds, respectively). OTP program memory is the technology of choice for reducing manufacturing times and production bottlenecks.

"High volume manufacturing demands the fastest throughput possible. The potential of 20x greater throughput when using OTP significantly lowers manufacturing costs when machine depreciation and labor costs are taken into account. By cutting the process flow in hours for high volume runs, OEMs may realize a savings of several dollars per board," said Damon Chu, strategic marketing manager for Microchip.

"In addition to OTP benefits, the PIC12CE67X eliminates the need for an external oscillator and EEPROM, reducing component costs and manufacturing steps."

The new devices have six I/O pins, 35 single-cycle instructions (400 ns execution time), 8-bit timer/counter with 8-bit programmable prescaler, and an on-chip 4 MHz clock oscillator for additional system cost and size savings.

Maximum power consumption is 2.0 microamps allowing for maximum battery life in battery-operated systems. At 1,000,000 erase/write cycles, Microchip's EEPROM technology offers the highest endurance performance in the industry, along with data retention of greater than 40 years.

Taking advantage of the high performance RISC architecture, the EEPROM data memory inexpensively enables critical system parameter storage for temperature settings, user convenience modes, passwords, phone numbers, serial numbers, identification or even security codes.

Typical applications for these devices include appliances, remote controls, security systems, cellular telephones, automotive creature comforts, battery chargers, telecommunications diagnostic equipment, PC peripherals and smart sensors.

Microchip's 8-pin microcontrollers allow easy integration of first-time intelligent features into electromechanical designs and compete directly with 4-bit microcontroller products while providing significantly enhanced performance.

The PIC12CE673 and PIC12CE674 extend the 8-pin PICmicro(TM) family to eight members, which offer OTP and EEPROM memory technologies, various memory sizes, advanced analog features, and on-chip 10 MHz clock oscillator.

Microchip's PICmicro EEPROM and OTP microcontrollers feature In-Circuit Serial Programming(TM) (ICSP(TM)) capability. ICSP allows the microcontroller to be programmed after being placed in a circuit board, offering tremendous flexibility, reduced development time and manufacturing cycles and improved time to market.

This popular technology also enables reduced cost of field upgrades, system calibration during manufacturing, the addition of unique identification codes to the system and calibration of system in the field. Requiring only 2 I/O pins for most devices, Microchip offers the most non-intrusive programming.

"The affordable, OTP program memory capabilities offered by the PIC12CE67X devices and the PICmicro architecture solve a range of critical business problems for our customers," said Chu.

"Engineering managers can react faster to code changes and reduce the time required to fix bugs or respond to special customer requests for changes. OTP also reduces the design verification cycle, which can be as long as 16 weeks with competitive ROM-based devices. OTP and on-board programming address procurement issues by reducing and limiting WIP liability and facilitating code revision," Chu explained.

"Microchip's worldwide distributors stock OTP devices, allowing customers to meet any upside sales opportunities or accommodate engineering changes off the shelf."

The PIC12CE67X are supported by the PICMASTER(R) Universal Development System, the industry's most complete, fully integrated programming development and emulation system.

Operating in the Microsoft Windows(R) environment, the development system features the MPLAB(TM) Integrated Development Environment, which gives users the flexibility to edit, compile, emulate and program parts all from a single user interface -- at no additional cost.

The comprehensive PICMASTER is available for $2,490 without the PRO MATE(R) II device programmer ($3,345 with PRO MATE II). A CE-compliant version of PICMASTER is available for European applications.

A low-cost PICmicro MCU development option is PICSTART(R) Plus, a development software suite and a programmer supported by assembler and simulator software tools. Other support and development tools include programming development support, MPASM microcontroller assembler and MPLAB-SIM software simulator.

The PIC12CE673 and PIC12CE674 are available in 8-pin PDIP and windowed CERDIP packages. Pricing in 1,000-unit quantities (4 MHz, commercial temperature version) is $2.04 each for the PIC12CE673 and $2.39 each for the PIC12CE674.

Samples will be available July 1998 and volume production is planned for August 1998. Contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor for more information.

Microchip Technology Inc. manufactures the PICmicro(TM) family of 8-bit RISC-based microcontrollers -- with OTP, Enhanced FLASH, EEPROM and ROM memory technologies; serial EEPROMs and related specialty memory products; and KEELOQ(R) code hopping devices.

These products target thousands of embedded control applications in the consumer, automotive, office automation, communications and industrial markets. Microchip's quality systems are ISO 9001 certified. Headquartered near Phoenix in Chandler, Microchip employs approximately 2,200 people worldwide and has sales offices throughout Asia, Europe, Japan and the Americas.

Note to Editors: The Microchip name and logo, PIC, PICMASTER, PICSTART, PRO MATE and KEELOQ are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the United States and other countries. PICmicro, In Circuit Serial Programming, ICSP and MPLAB are trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Microchip Technology Inc., Chandler

Eric Sells, 602/786-7478 (Editors)

Reader/Literature Inquiries: 602/786-7668

www.microchip.com