Microchip expands CAN Microcontroller Line with cost-effective 8-bit PIC® MCUs featuring 5.5V operation

Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, today announced the PIC18F “K80” 8-bit CAN microcontrollers (MCUs) featuring 1.8 – 5.5V operation and eXtreme Low Power (XLP) technology, for the industry’s lowest sleep current consumption of less than 20 nA. The new MCUs also feature an on-chip 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a peripheral that enables mTouch™ capacitive touch-sensing user interfaces. They are ideal for applications in the automotive (e.g. body control modules, automotive lighting, door/seat/steering/window control, HVAC control), building automation (e.g. elevators and escalators, Lighting and sensors, air condition control) and industrial markets (e.g. security systems, alarm control, remote monitors).



Manufacturers are under intense pressure to cut costs while delivering more sophisticated products. The PIC18F K80 CAN MCU family enables smaller, more cost-effective and robust control with its integrated CAN peripheral for automotive and industrial applications. For applications that require low power and accuracy, the MCUs deliver best-in-industry current ratings for longer battery life, as well as the on-chip 12-bit ADC and touch-sensing peripheral for advanced sensors.


"The PIC18F K80 family was developed for designers who need to add cost-effective CAN communication to their applications with extremely low power sleep and active modes, and robust operation up to 5.5 Volts," said Mitch Obolsky, vice president of Microchip’s Advanced Microcontroller Architecture Division. "The new MCUs offer a migration path for our popular PIC18F4680 CAN family, serving a wide spectrum of applications."

Development Support: Microchip also announced two PIC18 Explorer Board Plug-In Modules (PIMs) for the PIC18F66K80, today - the 44-pin PIC18F46K80 (part # MA180031) and the 64-pin PIC18F66K80 (part # MA180032) PIMs. For the implementation and evaluation of CAN, Microchip’s CAN™/LIN PICtail™/PICtail Plus Daughter Board (part # AC164130-2) may be used in conjunction with its PIC18 Explorer or Explorer 16 development boards.

Microchip‘s complete suite of standard development tools is also available, including the user-friendly MPLAB® IDE, REAL ICE™ and ICD3 tools; and the MPLAB C18 and HI-TECH® C compilers for PIC18 MCUs. All of these tools can be ordered today, at microchipDIRECT (http://www.microchip.com/get/HEV6). More information on Microchip development tools is available at http://www.microchip.com/get/34BR.


Packaging & Availability: The new PIC18F45K80, PIC18F46K80, PIC18F65K80 and PIC18F66K80 MCUs are available in 44- and 64-pin TQFP and QFN packages. Additionally, the PIC18F45K80, PIC18F46K80 MCUs are available in a 40-pin PDIP package. The PIC18F25K80 and PIC18F26K80 MCUs are available in 28-pin QFN, SOIC, SPDIP and SSOP packages.


Samples are available today, at http://www.microchip.com/get/ETXL, and volume-production quantities can be purchased today, at http://www.microchip.com/get/HEV6. For further information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorised worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip’s Web site at http://www.microchip.com/get/TK9F. To purchase products mentioned in this press release, go to http://www.microchip.com/get/HEV6 or contact one of Microchip’s authorised distribution partners.