Microcontroller includes precision 16-bit ADC and 10 Msps 12-bit ADC

Sept. 16, 2013

An analog system-on-chip integrates an on-chip precision 16-bit ADC and 10 Msps 12-bit ADC, plus a DAC and dual operational amplifiers, along with eXtreme Low Power (XLP) technology for extended battery life in portable medical and industrial applications.

Leland Teschler

A new family of microcontrollers (MCUs) —the PIC24FJ128GC010 -- is an analog system on chip that integrates an on-chip precision 16-bit ADC and 10 Msps 12-bit ADC, plus a DAC and dual operational amplifiers (op amps), along with eXtreme Low Power (XLP) technology for extended battery life in portable applications.

Typical applications for the new chips include portable medical monitoring devices, (e.g., blood-glucose meters and blood-pressure monitor), as well as industrial applications such as portable monitoring devices (e.g., voltage and current monitors, gas sensors and high-speed sensor arrays), among others. Developed by Microchip Technology Inc., the PIC24FJ128GC010 family includes an integrated LCD display driver that provides the ability to drive up to 472 segments for handling displays that include scrolling alphanumeric banners. Integrated USB supports the uploading of clinical data for medical equipment, and can act as a service/data port for industrial equipment. Capacitive touch sensing is supported with an on-chip peripheral.

The PIC24FJ128GC010 family is said to represent a significant cost reduction over a multi-chip implementation, enabling lower noise, faster throughput, smaller PCB size and faster time to market.

The PIC24FJ128GC010 family is supported by Microchip’s MPLAB Starter Kit for PIC24F Intelligent.Integrated.Analog. It is said to provide 95% of what designers need to develop a handheld analog prototype.

The new PIC24FJ128GC010 MCU family is available for sampling and volume production, starting at $2.59 each in volume. The PIC24FJ128GC010 (128 KB Flash) and PIC24FJ64GC010 (64 KB Flash) are available in 100-pin TQFP and 121-pin BGA packages. The PIC24FJ128GC006 (128 KB Flash) and PIC24FJ64GC006 (64 KB Flash) are available in 64-pin TQFP and QFN packages.

Microchip Technology Inc., http://www.microchip.com/get/6T4J

About the Author

Leland Teschler

Lee Teschler served as Editor-in-Chief of Machine Design until 2014. He holds a B.S. Engineering from the University of Michigan; a B.S. Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan; and an MBA from Cleveland State University. Prior to joining Penton, Lee worked as a Communications design engineer for the U.S. Government.