Microchip Technology Will be Embedded at the Embedded Systems Conference.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Embedded Systems Conference San Francisco 2003

CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 22, 2003

The Embedded Control Systems Company(R) demonstrates its latest innovative technology, products and services at the San Francisco show

What: Microchip (NASDAQ: MCHP) is demonstrating its innovative technology, products and services at the Embedded Systems Conference in booth number 902. New products from the Company's Analog and Interface, rfPIC(TM) microcontroller, PowerSmart(R) product line and PICmicro(R) microcontroller divisions are planned to be launched and many more demonstrated at the show. Here are some of Microchip's products that will be on site.

Microchip's PowerSmart(R) product line

PS401/2, announced March 26, is Microchip's PowerSmart Smart Battery System (SBS)-compliant, battery management integrated circuit (IC) that integrates all rechargeable battery monitoring functions on a single chip. With accuracy to within +/-1 percent, the PS401/2 provides the host system and user with valuable information that can be utilized for enhanced power management while providing the systems user with optimum predictability. The PS401 is priced at $4.50 in quantities of 1,000 and the PS402 is priced at $4.00 in quantities of 1,000.

Analog and Interface

Microchip's First Programmable Gain Amplifier-MCP6S2X- announced April 1, is a device that enables users to have digital control of the analog domain, with the integration of an amplifier, MUX, and gain control selected via a SPI(TM) bus. The devices are programmed over the SPI bus enabling the user to have control of the gain and input channel selection. This gives designers system flexibility that otherwise could not be achieved easily. In addition, the PGA removes the need for feedback and input resistors, which decreases cost and reduces board space. Prices for the MCP6S21 is at $0.84, the MCP6S22 is $1.00, the MCP6S26 is $1.53, the MCP6S28 is priced at $1.76 in 1,000-piece units.

Microchip's fixed speed 9600-Baud Infrared Data Association(R) (IrDA(R))-Standard protocol stack controller MCP2140 -announced April 17, provides designers of high-volume embedded applications a very cost-effective solution to add wireless connectivity to other IrDA-Standard systems. It is designed for applications such as wireless LAN, modems, printers, door locks, cell phones peripherals, wireless handheld data collection systems, fleet management systems and others. The MCP2140 is priced at $1.50 each in quantities of 1,000.

PICmicro microcontrollers

Microchip's PICmicro microcontrollers PIC16F featuring nanoWatt Technology, announced March 3, offer the flexibility of re-programmable Flash memory coupled with new power-managed features and are designed to reduce the overall power consumption within embedded systems. NanoWatt Technology refers to Microchip's advanced PMOS Electrically Erasable Cell (PEEC) process technology, circuit design, manufacturing and application techniques. The PIC16F price range is from $1.30 to $2.00 each in 10,000 unit quantities.

rfPIC microcontrollers

Microchip's rfPIC transmitters/receivers, announced April 21, is a complete system solution for uni-directional RF communication that includes rfPIC12F675 transmitters and two receivers (rfRXD0420 and rfRXD0920) complements the existing rfPIC transmitters and KEELOQ(R) encoders. By combining the rfPIC12F675 microcontroller/transmitters with either the rfRXD0420 receiver or rfRXD0920 receiver, users can easily create a wireless uni-directional communication link for embedded control applications. The single conversion super-heterodyne UHF RF receivers support the 300-450MHz and 850-930MHz frequency bands. The rfPIC12F675 devices support frequency bands between 260-930 MHz and are priced at $2.55 each for 10,000 unit quantities for the rfRXD0420 and rfRXD0920 and $2.03 each for the rfPIC12F675 devices.

Development tools

PICDEM(TM)4 Demonstration Board, announced April 21, developed for the Company's low pin-count PICmicro(R) Flash microcontrollers, including the recently launched PIC16F and PIC18F microcontroller families featuring nanoWatt Technology. For $129, designers receive a demonstration tool that offers multiple socket options for increased flexibility and immediate programming and debugging.

Application Maestro(TM) Software, announced April 9, is a software tool which allows users to customize firmware modules written specifically for Microchip's PIC16 and PIC18 microcontrollers meeting the specific needs of their applications within seconds and a few clicks of a computer mouse. The Application Maestro shortens design cycles and time-to-market by enhancing software reusability and allowing the designer to focus more on a design application and spend less time on the configuration details of the PICmicro microcontroller peripheral set. Available for free from Microchip's Web site, the Application Maestro software manages a library of ready-to-configure modules and allows the user to customize their design parameters before generating the necessary code files for inclusion in their project, saving designers time searching for source code that might be modified for a particular design.

The MPLAB(R) In-Circuit Emulator (ICE) 4000, announced Feb. 17, is Microchip's first in-circuit emulator system for its high-end PIC18F Flash PICmicro microcontrollers and dsPIC(TM) digital signal controller devices, providing full speed, low voltage emulation, interchangeable processor modules and device adapters. Offering advanced features typically found on more expensive development tools, the MPLAB ICE 4000 is available at the cost of $2,560 (US). The MPLAB ICE 4000 is a modular system that consists of an emulator pod, processor module, device adapter and transition socket. The interchangeable components allow the system to be easily configured to emulate different PICmicro microcontrollers

The PICkit(TM) 1 Starter Kit, announced March 31, is an extremely cost-effective programmer, evaluation and development kit the company's 8- and 14-pin Flash-based PIC12F629, PIC12F629, PIC12F675, PIC16F630 and PIC16F676MCU's. At $36+(USD) through distribution, the tool gives users the benefit of creating advanced microcontroller designers for a very low price.

Where: The Embedded Systems Conference is in San Francisco at the Moscone Center. Microchip will be in booth 902.

When: April 23-25; Wed. 12-7 p.m., Thurs., 12-7 p.m., Friday 10-3 p.m.

Who: Microchip is a leading supplier of field-programmable embedded control solutions by manufacturing the popular PICmicro(R) RISC microcontrollers which serve 8- and 16- bit embedded control applications; a broad spectrum of high performance linear and mixed-signal, power management and thermal management devices; and related non-volatile memory products.

About Microchip Technology

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(R) 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, Arizona with design facilities in Mountain View, California, Bangalore, India; and a European Design Center in Lausanne, Switzerland; semiconductor fabrication facilities in Tempe and Chandler, Arizona; Gresham, Oregon; and Puyallup, Washington; and assembly and test operations near Bangkok, Thailand. Microchip employs approximately 3,350 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, PowerSmart, MPLAB and KEELOQ are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the USA and other countries. PICDEM, rfPIC, Application Maestro, dsPIC and PICkit are trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the USA and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. SPI is a trademark of Motorola. Infrared Data Association (IRDA) is a registered trademark with the Infrared Data Association.