Microchip has introduced the PIC24F 'KM' family with "a new level of integrated analogue functionality", said the firm, "including a 12bit ADC with threshold detection, 8bit DACs for control loops, precision comparator references, and op-amps."
For motor-control, power-supply and lighting, the microcontrollers have the firm's multiple-output capture compare PWM module (MCCP) and single-output capture compare PWM module (SCCP) peripherals.
These modules have 16/32bit timers, input captures, output compares, operating from a high-speed clock for better resolution, an run automatically during sleep.
Configurable Logic Cell
Also, "this is the first PIC24 family to offer a Configurable Logic Cell for increased on-chip interconnection of peripherals," said Microchip. "The CLC module helps in creating custom real-time logic functions on-chip and is supported by a configuration tool, which helps in coding the circuit graphically instead of in assembly or C."
Up to 16kbyte flash, 2kbyte RAM and 512byte EEPROM is available, and there are 5V (PIC24FV 2-5.5V) and 3V (PIC24F 1.8-3.6V) variants.
Development boards that plug into a USB ports for power and data are available separately for 3V and 5V types, both are for 28pin types and have a socket.
There are also 20, 44 and 48pin packages.
