Microchip Technology Launches ROM PIC(R) Microcontrollers With Flash Socket Compatibility
New PIC16CR microcontrollers enable seamless switching between
ROM and Flash versions, resulting in shorter time-to-market,
reduced scrap and lower overall costs
CHANDLER, Ariz.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—April 11, 2006—
Microchip Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MCHP), a leading provider of
microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced the
availability of new complementary read-only-memory (ROM) PIC(R)
microcontrollers in the PIC16 family. The PIC16CR73, PIC16CR74,
PIC16CR76 and PIC16CR77 (PIC16CR7X) general-purpose ROM
microcontrollers are the first in a new series of ROM microcontrollers
in the PIC16 and PIC18 families from Microchip. The new
microcontrollers provide the first seamlessly interchangeable options
for Microchip's popular PIC16F73, PIC16F74, PIC16F76 and PIC16F77
(PIC16F7X) Flash products. Manufacturers now have the option of
switching between Flash and ROM memory types throughout development
and production, which results in shorter time-to-market, reduced scrap
and lower overall costs.
"These ROM PIC microcontrollers bring powerful new options to
high-volume users of Microchip's superior line of Flash PIC
microcontrollers," said Randy Drwinga, vice president of Microchip's
ROM Microcontroller and Memory Division. "With this complementary
group of products, customers are given the flexibility they need in
bringing their products to market quickly and cost-effectively,
without changing pinout, board layout, or feature set."
The PIC16CR7X ROM PIC microcontrollers allow manufacturers to
enjoy the cost-effectiveness of ROM for high-volume production, while
enjoying the flexibility and short lead times of Microchip's Flash
microcontrollers for development. Additionally, because of their
interchangeability with Flash versions, the new ROM microcontrollers
solve many challenges that high-volume manufacturers face.
For example, one common challenge that manufacturers face is
"scrap," or surplus ROM stock leftover at the end of a production
program. ROM can be cost-effective for high-volume applications, so
many manufacturers purchase ROM. However, when production ramps down,
their company experiences a negative financial impact due to excess
inventory. With the Flash socket-compatibility of the PIC16CR7X ROM
microcontrollers, manufacturers can run Flash during development and
production ramp-up; run high volume with ROM; and then ramp-down in
Flash. This eliminates the expense of leftover ROM stock at the end of
production.
Another challenge that customers face with other manufacturers'
ROM microcontrollers is upside demand above their normal production
rate. Typically, a customer's ability to meet an upside in demand is
dependent upon the manufacturing of additional ROMs, which can take
many weeks. However, with Microchip's PIC16CR7X devices, customers can
obtain compatible Flash products rapidly, enabling quick, efficient
satisfaction of virtually any magnitude of upside demand.
These new mask ROM PIC microcontrollers already contain the
customer-specific code required for high-volume, stable applications.
This saves the customer programming costs, product handling, and
production cycle time. The PIC16F7X Flash PIC microcontrollers remain
ideal for development and flexibility. Their compatibility provides
new options for Microchip's customers.
Development Tools
The same development tools that serve existing Microchip Flash PIC
microcontrollers support the ROM PIC microcontrollers. New tools do
not need to be purchased or learned, further shortening time-to-market
and reducing program costs.
Applicable development tools include the MPLAB(R) Integrated
Development Environment (IDE) and MPLAB In Circuit Debugger (ICD) 2
from Microchip. Available free from Microchip's Web site
(www.microchip.com/MPLAB), the MPLAB IDE (Part # SW007002) enables
users to edit, compile and debug from a single user interface. The
MPLAB ICD 2 (Part # DV164005) is a low-cost, real-time debugger and
programmer available for $159.99 at www.microchipdirect.com.
Pricing and Availability
The PIC16CR7X ROM microcontrollers are available today in 28-pin
DIP, SOIC, SSOP, or QFN packages, 40-pin PDIP and PLCC packages, and a
44-pin QFP package option. For pricing or additional information,
please contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized
worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site at
www.microchip.com/ROM.
Microchip Customer Support
Microchip is committed to supporting its customers by helping
design engineers develop products faster and more efficiently.
Customers can access four main service areas at www.microchip.com. The
Support area provides a fast way to get questions answered; the Sample
area offers free evaluation samples of any Microchip device;
microchipDIRECT provides 24-hour pricing, ordering, inventory and
credit for convenient purchasing of all Microchip devices and
development tools; finally, the Training area educates customers
through webinars, sign-ups for local seminar and workshop courses, and
information about the annual MASTERs events held throughout the world.
About Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of microcontroller
and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development,
lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of
diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler,
Ariz., Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with
dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the
Microchip Web site at www.microchip.com.
Note: The Microchip name and logo, PIC, and MPLAB are registered
trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the United States and other
countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of
their respective companies.
Photo and block diagram available through editorial contact.
Keywords:
Semiconductor Applications: Memory Solutions; Computing
Semiconductor Applications: Memory Solutions; Connectivity
Contact:
Microchip Technology Inc., Chandler
Editorial Contact:
Michelle Figor, 480-792-4111
Email Contact
or
Reader/Literature Inquiries:
1-888-MCU-MCHP
www.microchip.com/ROM
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