Monday 3 December 2012

Microchip introduces new 32-bit PIC32MX1/MX2 microcontrollers with 25% performance improvement

Microchip Technology today introduced new 32-bit PIC32 MX1/MX2 microcontrollers running at 50 MHz. The new MCUs boast a 25% performance increase compared to existing devices:
Dec. 3, 2012 [NASDAQ: MCHP] — Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, today announced a 25% performance boost on its 32-bit PIC32MX1/MX2 microcontrollers (MCUs). By increasing their speed to 50 MHz or 83 DMIPS, Microchip is taking the PIC32 MX1/MX2 MCUs’ performance to a new level, in combination with its feature-packed peripherals and 4-channel DMA.

The PIC32MX1/MX2 series includes Microchip’s smallest 32-bit MCUs, with sizes down to 5 mm x 5 mm and a 0.5 mm pitch, as well as the lowest-cost PIC32 MCUs. These devices include up to 128K Flash and 32K RAM, and integrate peripherals for touch-sensing, audio-processing and advanced-control applications. Specifically, integrated peripherals include a hardware module for adding mTouch™ capacitive-touch buttons or advanced sensors, an 8-bit Parallel Master Port (PMP) interface for graphics or external memory, a 10-bit 1-Msps 13-channel Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), and serial communications peripherals. The MX2 series adds USB On-the-Go (OTG) capabilities.

The PIC32MX1 and MX2 MCUs are targeted for low-cost applications in the consumer and automotive markets, such as consumer music-player docks, noise-cancelling headsets, clock radios, and entertainment-system sound bars, as well as touch screens with buttons and sliders, graphic displays and USB device/host applications. In the medical and industrial markets, applications include industrial-grade noise-cancelling headsets and medical/industrial displays with touch-sensing capabilities.
“The improved performance that we’re adding to these recently introduced, low-cost PIC32MX1/MX2 MCUs enables designers to overcome speed bottlenecks,” said Sumit Mitra, vice president of Microchip’s MCU32 Division. “Additionally, designers can develop a broad range of products for the consumer, industrial, medical and other markets that require the combination of audio, touch-sensing and embedded-control capabilities, as well as USB communication, all with one MCU.”

Microchip Boosts 32-bit MCU Performance by 25% on Low-Cost, Small Package PIC32 MX1/MX2 Series




Low Cost Samsung Exynos Development Boards

Two new low cost but powerful Samsung Exynos 4412 development boards are now available from Harkernel. The ODROID-U costs $69 and the ODROID-U2 costs $89: (via @cnxsoft)

Sunday 2 December 2012

Intel's Next Unit of Computing (NUC)

Intel's Next Unit of Computing (NUC) is a low-power tiny form factor - 100mm x 100mm - computer which could eventually replace the desktop PC. Here are some recent reviews of the NUC from around the web.

Review: Intel's Next Unit of Computing

Intel Next Unit of Computing Kit DC3217BY

Inside Intel's Next Unit of Computing (DC3217BY)