DSC Packs High Performance In Eight-Pin Package

Claiming to deliver the industry's highest processing performance level in an eight-pin package, the dcPIC family of digital-signal controllers (DSCs) features a 16-bit MCU, DSP engine, 30 MIPS non-pipelined performance, and a C-compiler-friendly design. An on-chip A/D converter offers processing speeds of up to 100 ksamples/s, as well as eight or 10 input channels and a 16-word conversion FIFO.Targeting sensor applications, the four devices presently in the family provide 12 to 24 KB of flash, 2 KB of data RAM, 16-bit timer functionality, and operate on 2.5V to 5.5V supplies. Prices start at under $4 each/5,000. MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC., Chandler, AZ. (480) 792-7668.