The PIC32MX1/2 family of microcontrollers from Microchip Technology has been expanded with new versions offering larger memory capacity. The 32-bit MCU family is now available with 256KByte Flash and 16KByte RAM in a 6 x 6 mm package. Like many of its competitors the processor family offers a good selection of built-in sophisticated peripheral controllers. The new MCUs are coupled with comprehensive software and tools from Microchip to support applications including digital audio with Bluetooth, USB audio, graphics, touch-sensing and general-purpose embedded control.

The PIC32MX1/2 family supports I2S for digital audio, large memory configuration and 83 DMIPS performance for executing Bluetooth Audio and advanced control applications, CTMU for capacitive touch sensing, 8-bit PMP for graphics or external memory, a 10-bit 1Msps 13-channel ADC and serial communications peripherals with the PIC32MX2 series providing USB-device/host/OTG functionality.

According to the press release the PIC32MX1/2 family is targeted at low-cost applications in the consumer markets, such as Bluetooth speakers, consumer music-player docks, noise-cancelling headsets, infotainment systems, clock radios, and entertainment-system sound bars, as well as touch screens with buttons and sliders, and USB device/host/OTG applications. In the medical and industrial markets, applications include industrial-grade noise-cancelling headsets and medical/industrial displays with touch-sensing capabilities. Rod Drake, director of Microchip’s MCU32 Division said that “The expansion of PIC32MX1/2 with larger Flash and RAM will enable designers to integrate more functionality into applications that need large complex code, in addition they offer flexibility for the devices to be designed into consumer, industrial, medical and other markets that require a combination of Bluetooth audio, digital audio, touch-sensing, general-purpose embedded control and as well as USB communication.”

The PIC32MX1/MX2 series is supported by Microchip’s free MPLAB® X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and MPLAB XC32 Compiler for PIC32. Application specific development tools that support the PIC32MX1/MX2 series include the PIC32MX270F256D Plug-in-Module for Explorer 16 Development Board (part # MA320014, $35) and PIC32MX270F256D Plug-in-Module for Bluetooth Audio Development Kit (part # MA320013, $25).