Microchip Technology Rolls out Development System Infrastructure for Its 16-Bit dsPIC Digital Signal Controllers.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 2004

Company offers 19 tools to aid in Digital

Signal Controller development

Microchip Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced a range of 19 new tools and application aids to enhance the development environment for Microchip's dsPIC(R) 16-bit Digital Signal Controller (DSC) architecture. A series of essential software development tools, high-level libraries, application designs and development boards gives designers the resources needed for robust product development.

"Microchip is committed to making our customers' development as easy and as efficient as possible. We don't just offer silicon devices, we offer extensive development support to make the transition to the dsPIC DSC solution quick and straightforward," said Sumit Mitra, vice president of the Digital Signal Controller Division at Microchip. "We want our customers to have the best of both worlds, microcontroller and digital signal processor, by providing one single-chip solution."

The essential software development tools for Microchip's 16-bit dsPIC DSC include the MPLAB(R) Integrated Development Environment (IDE), which now includes support for the dsPIC DSC. The MPLAB In-Circuit Debugger 2 (ICD 2) and device programmer also now support the dsPIC DSC architecture. These tools are the platform for all of Microchip's microcontrollers and DSCs. Additional essential software tools include the MPLAB Visual Device Initializer (VDI), as well as three Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) from CMX. The application development tools also include the digital filter design and its companion dsPICworks(TM) Visual Algorithm Analyzer. See May 3 announcement titled "Microchip Technology Offers the Essentials in Software for dsPIC DSC Development."

Microchip is also introducing several high-level libraries and utility libraries that give developers the ability to add powerful functionality to their application with a minimal learning curve. Initial high-level libraries include software modems, TCP/IP, and motor control. Microchip also offers free utility libraries including DSP, Math and Peripheral Library. See May 3 announcement titled "Microchip Technology's Software and Application Development Tools for the dsPIC DSC Simplifies Development."

The four development boards serve as ideal prototyping tools to quickly develop and validate key designs with Microchip's dsPIC(R) DSC architecture. The dsPICDEM(TM) Starter Demonstration Board allows the user to easily validate a development idea using the dsPIC30F6012 (144KB Flash). The dsPIC30F2010-based (12KB Flash) dsPICDEM 28-pin Starter Demonstration Board enables the user to easily validate a development tool setup using a 28-pin SDIP or SOIC dsPIC30F device. The dsPIC30F6014-based (144KB Flash) dsPICDEM 1.1 General Purpose Development Board provides the application designer with a powerful development tool to become familiar with the dsPIC30F 16-bit architecture. The dsPIC30F6014-based (144KB Flash) dsPICDEM Connectivity Development Boards provide the developer a basic connectivity platform for developing and evaluating various connectivity solutions. See announcement from May 3 titled "Microchip Technology's DSC Boards Validate Key Designs."

For more information, contact Microchip's Literature Line at 800-MCU-MCHP; contact any authorized Microchip distributor around the world or visit www.microchip.com/dspic.

About dsPIC DSC

The dsPIC DSC is a 16-bit (data) modified Harvard RISC machine that combines the control advantages of a high-performance 16-bit microcontroller with the high computation speed of a fully implemented digital signal processor (DSP) to produce a tightly coupled single-chip single-instruction stream solution for embedded systems design. All dsPIC DSCs integrate Flash program memory and most have EEPROM data storage.

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, and MPLAB, dsPIC, PIC are registered trademarks and dsPIC Works, dsPICDEM, dsPICDEM.net are trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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