Three MCU Lines Add 12-Bit ADCs For Precision Meaurements

Twelve new high-performance, 8-bit flash microcontrollers now incorporate an on-chip, high-speed analog-to-digital converter peripheral. The MCUs include the PIC18F8723 high-memory, general-purpose family, which offers a rich peripheral set and performance to 10 MIPS. Also included is the PIC18F4553 family, which adds an integrated full-speed USB transceiver and has 12 MIPS performance. Finally, the PIC18F8493 LCD microcontroller family offers integrated LCD drive capability for low-power display applications. The ADCs provide the precision needed for sensor measurements in applications such as medical, industrial, and utility metering systems. Each family comprises four MCUs. The PIC18F8723 devices come in 64- and 80-pin TQFP packages and include 96 to 128 KB flash memory. The PIC18F4553 USB chips come in 28-pin SOIC and PDIP packages or 44-pin TQFP and PDIP packages. They incorporate 24 to 32 KB flash. The PIC18F8493 LCD MCUs come in 64- and 80-pin TQFP packages, with 8 to 16 KB flash. Samples and volume production are available now for the general-purpose and USB versions. PIC18F8493 sampling and volume production are scheduled for Q4 2008. Prices start at $2.21 each in quantities of 10,000. MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC., Chandler, AZ. (888) 628-6247.