Microchip’s Lowest Cost USB PIC® Microcontrollers

Date: 10/3/2009

Microchip’s Lowest Cost USB PIC® Microcontrollers

Microchip’s PIC18F14K50 devices are the lowest-cost 8-bit USB microcontrollers to include I2CTM, SPI and USART interfaces, alongside USB 2.0, a 10-bit, 9-channel Analog-to-Digital Converter and dual comparators with S/R Latch.

USB has become a standardised interface, in combination with other serial-interface protocols, prompting Microchip to extend its range of low-cost 8-bit PIC® microcontrollers specifically for USB applications, enabling them to transfer data between USB and other embedded serial networks. In addition, they provide, giving users the capability to process a variety of inputs - from temperature and humidity to capacitive touch-sensing.

Additional features include a USB host-detection capability, where the MCU can be configured to enter SLEEP or any other power-managed mode when a USB connection is not present. The new microcontrollers can also be internally or externally clocked with seamless on-the-fly switching, bringing further power saving options. With an operating voltage range of 1.8 - 5.5V, the microcontrollers are designed for use with a wide variety of operating environments and power supplies, including batteries, USB interfaces or other power sources.

The PIC18F14K50 has 16 KB Flash and 768 Bytes of RAM and includes 256 Bytes of EEPROM for non-volatile data storage and available in 20-pin SSOP, SOIC, PDIP and 5 x 5 mm QFN packages.
Development support

To help engineers get started using the PIC18F14K50 in their designs Microchip offers two Low Pin Count USB Development Kits: The DV164126 and the DM164127 kits include populated and unpopulated reference-design boards, a CD with tutorials and other supporting materials and differ only in that the DV164126 kit also includes the PICkit™ 2.

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