Eight-Bit MCUs Cavort At 40 MHz

Operating from a 3V supply and at a speed of 40 MHz, the PIC18F45J10 microcontrollers debut as some of the fastest 8-bit MCUs available that provide 32 KB of flash memory in 28-pin QFN, SPDIP, SSOP, and SOIC packages. Adding a comprehensive battery of peripherals, the devices report cost reductions in the vicinity of 30% over 5V MCUs. Peripherals include 10-bit a/d converters with 10 or 13 channels, enhanced capture/compare PWM (ECCP) with up to two standard CCPs, as many as two SPI and two master I²C ports, one enhanced USART, and two comparators. The PIC18F45J10, PIC18F44J10, PIC18F25J10, and PIC18F24J10 also include one 8- and two 16-bit timers, either 16 KB or 32 KB of flash memory, and the MPLAB IDE integrated development environment at no charge. Prices range from $1.49 to $1.89 each/10,000. MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC., Chandler, AZ. (888) 628-6247.