Microchip’s Peripheral-Rich PIC32CX-BZ2 Wireless Microcontrollers (MCUs)

Microchip’s Peripheral-Rich PIC32CX-BZ2 Wireless Microcontrollers (MCUs)

Microchip Technology launched its New Arm®-Based PIC® Microcontrollers to create an easier way to add Bluetooth low energy connectivity.

(Credit: Microchip)

The peripheral-rich PIC32CX-BZ2 wireless microcontrollers (MCUs) are Bluetooth Low Energy 5.2 and Zigbee® 3.0 certified. The PIC32CX-BZ2’s Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) and Zigbee software stacks have been built on the robust MPLAB® Harmony v3 framework to ensure seamless multi-protocol implementation so that you can focus on your end product. From AEC-Q100 Grade 1 (125°C) SoCs to global regulatory-certified, RF-ready modules, there is a PIC32CX-BZ2 device that fits your needs.

The PIC32CX-BZ2 family, which features Bluetooth LE, Zigbee and strong security, is an excellent solution for smart home and industrial automation applications:

· Home appliances 

· HVAC sensors and controls 

· Smart doors and locks 

· Motor control 

· Intelligent lighting

Block Diagram

(Credit: Microchip)

“Our PIC32CX-BZ2 MCU family removes barriers that have made it difficult to bring wireless applications to market, from availability problems and complexity challenges to regulatory certification hurdles and long-term support concerns,” said Steve Caldwell, vice president of Microchip’s wireless solutions business unit. “Our family tightly integrates wireless connectivity with an MCU that is built on our decades of specialized experience and backed by a vertical manufacturing approach that encompasses ICs, Microchip’s highly integrated software stacks, in-house module manufacturing and a customer-driven obsolescence practice.”

Microchip’s PIC32CX-BZ2 family includes System-on-Chip (SoC) devices as well as global regulatory-certified, RF-ready modules. In addition to Bluetooth Low Energy functionality, the family includes Zigbee® stacks and Over the Air (OTA) update capabilities. Hardware features include a 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), multiple timer/counters for control (TCC) channels, an on-board encryption engine, and a broad set of interfaces to touch, CAN, sensor, display and other peripherals. The family’s 1 MB of Flash memory supports large application codes, multiprotocol wireless stacks, and OTA updates. AEC-Q100 Grade 1 (125 °C) qualified packages further simplify wireless connectivity integration where highly robust solutions are required.

(Credit: Microchip)

The PIC32CX-BZ2 MCU family simplifies development through Microchip’s MPLAB® Harmony 32-bit embedded software development framework. MPLAB Code Configurator integration enables developers to quickly begin prototyping with the PIC32CX-BZ2 family using drag-and-drop auto code generation. Numerous application code examples are hosted on GitHub and linked through MPLAB Code Configurator and MPLAB Discover. 

RF design with PIC32CX-BZ2 SoCs is simplified with the ecosystem’s chip-down reference design packages and wireless design check services. Customers with little to no RF expertise can benefit from Microchip’s WBZ451 modules that are pre-certified to multiple regulations around the world and feature an optimized on-board RF design.

In addition to the MPLAB Code Configurator, the MPLAB Harmony v3 framework includes numerous other tools and an ecosystem of debuggers, programmers, virtual sniffer, and compilers. Other support includes GitHub demo applications and documentation, wireless design check services, and building blocks that walk developers through all the steps involved in the application development process. 

Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of smart, connected and secure embedded control solutions. Its easy-to-use development tools and comprehensive product portfolio enable customers to create optimal designs which reduce risk while lowering total system cost and time to market. The company solutions serve more than 120,000 customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defense, communications and computing markets. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality.