Microchip Introduces 16-bit MCU PIC24F "GA3" with Low-power Sleep Mode

     Microchip Technology announced the introduction of the PIC24F "GA3" 16-bit flash MCU family with a variety of flexible new low-power sleep modes and the industry's lowest operating currents, expanding its ultra-low power (XLP) MCU product line. The PIC24F "GA3" device has a 150 μA/MHz operating current and six DMA channels, allowing programs to be executed with lower power consumption and greater throughput.

     The series reflects the continuous advancement of Microchip's XLP technology and adds a new low-power sleep mode that supports RAM storage at a minimum of 330 nA. In addition, these devices are the first PIC® MCUS to utilize VBAT for battery backup of on-chip real-time clock calendars. With these features, along with integrated LCD drivers and many other peripherals, PIC24F's "GA3" devices enable more efficient and cost-effective designs for consumer (such as thermostats, door locks, and home automation), industrial (such as security, wired and wireless sensors, and industrial controls), medical (such as portable medical devices and diagnostic equipment), and more. As well as metering markets (such as electronic meters, energy monitoring, gas/water/heat meters and automatic meter reading).

     Designers often need to develop applications where the battery life is close to the end product's useful life. With its 150 μA/MHz operating current, numerous low-power modes, and low-power sleep modes that support RAM retention at a minimum of 330 nA, the PIC24F "GA3" MCU can maximize battery life by reducing the total power consumed by the application. To keep the application's real-time clock running when the main power is cut off, the VBAT pin can be backed up at only 400 nA. In addition, the conversion from VDD to VBAT power supply pins occurs automatically with the power failure of VDD.

     The integrated LCD display driver has eight co-drive capabilities and can directly drive up to 480 segments for a more flexible display of information such as descriptive ICONS and scrolling. The MCU also includes a Charge time Measurement Unit (CTMU) with a constant current source for mTouch™ capacitive touch sensing, ultrasonic flow measurement, and many other sensors. The on-chip 12-bit ADC has threshold detection and can perform proximity sensing during sleep in conjunction with the CTMU to further reduce power consumption.

     "The PIC24F 'GA3' family demonstrates our continued investment in low-power technology," said Mitch Obolsky, Microchip's vice president of Advanced MCU Architecture. "These new MCUS enable customers to reduce operating and sleep currents and maximize battery life with a variety of flexible new low power modes for battery backup and RAM preservation, helping customers develop lower power and higher performance end products."