Microchip Technology introduces PIC18F87J90 family: memory extension for 8-bit LCD PIC microcontrollers

Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, has announced the PIC18F87J90 8-bit direct LCD-drive microcontrollers (MCUs) with nanoWatt Technology. The 64- and 80-pin devices extend the memory reach and peripheral set of Microchip's LCD MCU portfolio. They feature 64 - 128 KB Flash and 4 KB RAM, and are the industry's first 8-bit MCUs to include a Real-Time Clock and Calendar (RTCC), and Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU) peripheral for capacitive touch sensing or precise time measurement. The PIC18F87J90 devices are pin compatible with Microchip's PIC18F85J90 devices, providing an easy migration path across Microchip's entire LCD-drive MCU family and simplified application upgrades.

Many designers want to enhance and add features to their display applications, such as capacitive or inductive touch user interfaces. The PIC18F87J90 products meet this need head-on, with their extended memory range and integrated peripheral set including the CTMU. With Microchip's unique nanoWatt Technology, the MCUs help maintain the system's low-power ratings, and can even drive the display in sleep mode to conserve power. Additionally, the onboard LCD module contains a software-programmable contrast controller, which provides display boost or dimming and compensates for environmental elements such as temperature and lighting. The on-chip hardware RTCC works even in sleep mode to enable real-time tracking and lower power consumption.

"Microchip's PIC18F87J90 MCUs expand our portfolio of cost-effective LCD products. For example, in electrical power meters, the extended memory, RTCC and multiple serial channels deliver a highly cost-effective feature set," said Mitch Obolsky, vice president of Microchip's Advanced Microcontroller Architecture Division.

Obolsky continued, "These new MCUs offer a drop-in upgrade in features and memory to our popular low-cost PIC18F85J90 LCD family, serving a wide spectrum of applications."

The PIC18F87J90 MCUs are designed for cost-sensitive embedded display applications in the consumer (white goods, game controllers, exercise equipment, thermostat and counter top appliances); industrial (home-alarm/security-system keypads, power meters, data logging and central AC communication controllers); medical (flow meters, patient monitors, laboratory instruments and home-diagnostic devices); and automotive markets (dashboard and control panels).

Development tool support

To get started with the PIC18F87J90 family, customers can use the PICDEM LCD 2 Demo Board (part DM163030) in combination with the PIC18F87J90 Plug-In Module (part MA180025), which includes capacitive-touch buttons. Both are available today at http://www.microchipdirect.com.

Additionally, the PIC18F87J90 family is supported by Microchip's standard development tool suite, including the free MPLAB Integrated Development Environment [IDE (http://www.microchip.com/MPLAB)], the MPLAB C Compiler for PIC18 and the MPLAB ICD 3 In-Circuit Debugger (part DV164035). The MPLAB IDE now comes with the free Segmented Display GUI, which makes it easy to generate the code needed to drive LCD displays.

Device packaging & availability
The PIC18F87J90 family ranges from 64 KB to 128 KB Flash program memory in 64- and 80-pin packages. Samples are available at http://sample.microchip.com. Volume production quantities of each device can be ordered at http://www.microchipdirect.com. For further information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site at http://www.microchip.com/LCD

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About Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Ariz., Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at http://www.microchip.com.