PIC32CX-BZ2 MCU family includes built-in Bluetooth Low Energy and other wireless functionality with premium analog performance and comprehensive design support.
Wireless connectivity has become a mandatory feature for many products but often increases the cost and complexity of system design since it generally must be added as part of the larger application. Microchip Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MCHP) is introducing its first Arm Cortex ® -M4F-based PIC microcontroller (MCU) family today that solves this wireless connectivity design challenge by integrating Bluetooth Low Energy functionality directly into one of a system’s most basic components, supported by one of the industry’s most comprehensive developer ecosystems.
“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.
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.
Development Tools
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.
New Arm-Based PIC MCUs Create an Easier Way to Add Bluetooth Low Energy Connectivity
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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. The PIC32CX-BZ2 family is supported by the PIC32CX-BZ2 and WBZ451
Curiosity Development Board (Part number: EV96B94A).
Availability
The PIC32CX-ZB2 family is in-stock and available now. PIC32CX1012BZ25048-I and PIC32CX1012BZ25048-E SoCs ship in 7 x 7 mm 48 Quad-Flat No-leads (QFN) packages. The WBZ451PE-I and the WBZ451UE-I modules come with an on-board Printed Circuit Board (PCB) antenna and a U.FL connector for external antenna respectively.
For additional information or to purchase, contact a Microchip sales representative, authorized
worldwide distributor or visit Microchip’s Purchasing and Client Services website.