Microchip Technology Inc.: New MCUs for economical motor control

Microchip’s PIC18F4331/4431 microcontrollers are available in 40-pin DIP and 44-pin TQFP or QFN packages. PIC18F2331/2431 devices come in 28-pin SDIP, SOIC and QFN packages.

Microchip Technology Inc . recently announced a family of 8-bit Flash microcontrollers (MCUs) incorporating advanced motor control peripherals. The new PICmicro family targets automotive, industrial, appliance, and consumer markets.

Three new modules are at the core of the PIC18Fxx31 family’s performance and flexibility. Power control module provides a three-phase PWM structure; motion feedback module includes a quadrature encoder interface; and the third module consists of a high-speed, analog-to-digital converter (ADC), operating at 200 kSps. The converter is synchronizable with the PWM. These modules eliminate the need for external motor-control components to reduce cost and save board space.

Other features of PIC18Fxx31 devices include: up to eight PWM channels with 14-bit resolution, center alignment, programmable deadtime and two external fault-protection inputs; four general-purpose timers; clock monitor for fail-safe operation; 256 Bytes of EEPROM; up to 10 MIPS performance at 40 MHz; and a 16-level Programmable Low Voltage Detection module. The device’s nanoWatt Technology provides enhanced power-management capabilities.

Microchip’s hardware and software tool suite (device programmer, in-circuit debugger, emulator, development board, etc.) support PIC18Fxx31 devices. All four MCUs are available now, consult Microchip for pricing.

—Frank J. Bartos, executive editor, fbartos@reedbusiness.com

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