Microchip Technology Releases Low-Cost In-Circuit Debugger for Flash PICmicro Microcontrollers.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Embedded Systems Conference 2002

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 11, 2002

Microchip Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MCHP) Monday introduced a complete in-circuit debugger, providing a highly flexible microcontroller development system for $159.

The new MPLAB(R) In-Circuit Debugger (ICD) 2 supports Microchip's PIC18F Flash microcontrollers. As future device offerings become available, such as Microchip's dsPIC(TM) digital signal controllers, the user simply downloads new firmware into the MPLAB ICD 2 at no cost, creating a highly adaptable tool that will provide years of development support.

The MPLAB ICD 2 features a powerful graphical user interface of the MPLAB(R) Integrated Development Environment (IDE). For designers who don't have the budget for a full-featured in-circuit emulator, the powerful and low-cost MPLAB ICD 2 is an all-in-one debugger solution for PICmicro(R) microcontrollers.

The MPLAB ICD 2 allows engineers to identify design concerns and correct them quickly and efficiently. The MPLAB ICD 2 connects between the design engineer's PC operating with MPLAB IDE and the product board (target) being developed, acting as an intelligent interface/translator between the two.

The engineer has the ability to look into the active target board's microcontroller allowing real-time viewing of variables and registers using watch windows. A single break point can be set halting the program at a specific point and memory read/writes can also be accomplished.

Additionally, the MPLAB ICD 2 can be used to download programs to the Flash-based microcontroller while installed on the board.

Additional features of the tool include built-in over-voltage and short circuit monitors, upgradable firmware via PC, support of low voltage to 2 Volts operation, diagnostic LEDs, program memory space erasure with verification, and freeze-on-halt for diagnostic purposes.

The MPLAB ICD 2 is sold as a stand-alone unit for $159 or packaged in an evaluation kit that includes a demonstration board and a sample of the PIC18F452 high-performance Flash microcontroller for $209.

Ideal for spearheading designs, the demonstration board features a 2x16 LCD display, temperature sensor, EEPROM memory, LEDs, Piezo sounder, RS 232 interface, all of which are used in a demonstration program included with the kit. Both kits also include the MPLAB IDE software at no cost.

For more information, contact Microchip's Literature Line at 480/792-7668 or contact any authorized Microchip distributor around the world or visit Microchip's Web site at http://www.microchip.com.

Microchip's Development Tools Group designs and manufactures world class development tools to support the company's PICmicro(R) microcontrollers and other silicon solutions (i.e., analog, CAN, KEELOQ(R) products, RFID). Development problems are minimized since the tools and silicon are designed to work in harmony.

Microchip's large selection of modestly priced, ISO 9000 manufactured development tools include programmers, emulators, debuggers, demonstration kits and software. The free MPLAB(R) Integrated Development Environment software is a benchmark tool that provides engineers with a single point development workstation.

Microchip's Development Systems Group offers a wide range of demonstration kits that teach technology and allow integration of the technology into the users design providing quick "proof of concept" capability.

Microchip Technology Inc. manufactures the popular PICmicro(R) field-programmable RISC microcontrollers, which serve 8- and 16-bit embedded control applications, and a broad spectrum of high-performance linear and mixed-signal, power management and thermal management devices.

The company also offers complementary microperipheral products including interface devices; microID(TM) RFID devices; serial EEPROMs; and the patented KEELOQ(R) security devices. This synergistic product portfolio targets thousands of applications and a growing demand for high-performance designs in the automotive, communications, computing, consumer and industrial control markets.

The company's quality systems are ISO 9001 (1994 version) and QS9000 (1998 version) certified. Microchip is headquartered in Chandler, Ariz. with design facilities in Mountain View, Calif. and Bangalore, India; semiconductor fabrication facilities in Tempe and Chandler, Ariz. and Puyallup, Wash.; and assembly and test operations near Bangkok, Thailand.

Microchip employs approximately 2,950 people worldwide and has sales offices throughout Asia, Europe, Japan and the Americas. More information on the company can be found at www.microchip.com.

Note: The Microchip name and logo, PIC, PICmicro, microID, MPLAB and KEELOQ are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.