Microchip Technology Inc. announced two new volatile, SPI digital potentiometers (digipots)--the MCP41HV31 and MCP41HV51 (MCP41HVXX)--its first to operate at 10, 12, 18, 24 and particularly 36 volts, for systems requiring wide signal swing or high power-supply voltages. Additionally, these digipots support both 7-bit and 8-bit resistor configurations, and a high terminal/wiper current, including the ability to sink/source up to 25 mA on all terminal pins for driving larger loads. These features, combined with an extended temperature range of -40degC to +125degC, make the MCP41HVXX well suited for a broad range of high-voltage and high-temperature applications, including those in the industrial, automotive and audio markets. The MCP41HV31's 7-bit resistor network resolution enables 127 resistors and 128 steps, while the MCP41HV51's 8-bit configuration supports 255 resistors and 256 steps. Additionally, both digipots provide RAB resistance options of 5, 10, 50 and 100 kohms.

Microchip Technology Inc. announced an expansion to the PIC16F75X family of 8-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) featuring intelligent analog and core-independent peripherals, making them ideal for general-purpose applications, as well as power supplies, battery charging, LED lighting, power management and power control/smart energy applications. The new PIC16F753 MCU builds on the success of the popular PIC12F752. The PIC16F753 offers all the key features of the PIC12F752, such as the integrated Complementary Output Generator (COG) peripheral that provides non-overlapping, complementary waveforms for inputs such as comparators and Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) peripherals, while enabling dead-band control, auto shutdown, auto reset, phase control and blanking control. Additionally, the PIC16F753 offers an Op Amp with 3 MHz of Gain Bandwidth Product (GBWP), and a slope compensation circuit to help in Switch Mode Power Supply applications. Additionally, the new MCU features 3.5 KB of self read-write program memory, 128B of RAM, an on-chip 10-bit ADC, 9-bit DAC, Capture Compare PWM modules, high-performance comparators, and two 50 mA-capable I/Os, enabling engineers to increase overall system capabilities and reduce costs. The PIC16F753 is available now for sampling in a 16-pin 4 mm x 4 mm QFN package, as well as 14-pin PDIP, SOIC and TSSOP packages. Pricing starts at $0.60 each, in 10,000-unit quantities. The PIC16F753 is also available in a High Voltage (HV) variant for all packages. Volume production is expected in July.

Microchip Technology Inc. announced an expansion of its 8-bit PIC16F178X enhanced Mid-Range core microcontroller (MCU) family with increased Flash memory densities, intelligent analog and digital peripherals, such as on-chip 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs), 16-bit PWMs, 8-bit and 5-bit Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs), operational amplifiers, and high-speed comparators with 50 ns response time, along with EUSART (including LIN), I(2) C(TM) and SPI interface peripherals. The PIC16F178X are the first PIC(R) MCUs to implement the new Programmable Switch Mode Controller (PSMC), which is an advanced 16-bit Pulse-Width Modulator (PWM) with 64 MHz operation and high-performance capabilities. This combination of features enables higher efficiency and performance, along with cost and space reductions. The new MCUs also feature eXtreme Low Power (XLP) Technology for active and sleep currents of just 32 uA/MHz and 50 nA, respectively, helping to extend battery life and reduce standby current consumption. Low power consumption in combination with advanced analog and digital integration make the PIC16F178X MCUs ideal for LED and other lighting applications, battery management, digital power supplies, motor control and general-purpose applications. Available in 28- and 40-pin packages, the MCUs' intelligent analog integration paired with Core Independent Peripherals, inclusive of the PSMC, DACs, Op Amps, high-speed comparators and 12-bit ADC, enable self-sustaining smart control loops with minimal CPU intervention. This allows for optimal application control while freeing the CPU to provide incremental application value, such as system health monitoring, communications, or human-interface control. Additionally, the MCUs feature a 32 MHz internal oscillator, 2 - 16K Words (3.5 - 28K Bytes) of Flash, 256 - 2K Bytes of RAM and 256 Bytes of data EEPROM. Initial evaluation and development of the PIC16F178X family can quickly begin with the F1 PSMC 28-pin Evaluation Board Platform (part # 164130-10, $19.99). Additionally, the PIC16F178X family is supported by Microchip's standard suite of world-class development tools, including the PICkit(TM) 3 (part # PG164130, $44.95), MPLAB(R) REAL ICE(TM) (part # DV244005), $499.98), MPLAB ICD 3 (part # DV164035, $189.99) debuggers/programmers, and MPLAB XC8 Compiler. The PIC16(L)F1782/3/4/6/7/8/9 MCUs are available now for sampling and volume production in 28-pin SOIC, SPDIP, 6 x 6 mm QFN, and 4 x 4 mm UQFN; as well as 40-pin PDIP, TQFP, 8 x 8 mm QFN, and 5 x 5 mm UQFN packages. Pricing starts at $1.18 each, in 10,000-unit quantities.