Microchip introduces the industry's first low-pin MCU family to support I3C

     As the amount of data collected and transmitted from cloud connected edge nodes increases, improved integrated circuits (I3C?) Is rapidly becoming a more sustainable solution for connecting high data rate sensors and will help expand the capabilities of next-generation devices. Microchip Technology Inc. pioneered the PIC18-Q20 series of microcontrollers (MCUS), the industry's first low-pin MCUS with up to two I3C peripherals and multi-voltage I/O (MVIO). Available in 14-pin and 20-pin packages as small as 3 x 3 mm, the PIC18-Q20 MCU is a compact solution for real-time control, touch sensing and connectivity applications. This MCU offers configurable peripherals, advanced communication interfaces and easy connectivity across multiple voltage domains without the need for external components.

     The PIC18-Q20 MCU features I3C functionality, flexible peripherals, and the ability to operate over three separate voltage domains, making it ideal for use with the main MCU in larger overall systems. This family of MCUS can perform tasks that the main MCU cannot perform efficiently, such as processing sensor data, handling low-latency interrupts, and system status reporting. The central processing unit (CPU) operates in different voltage domains, while the I3C peripherals operate from 1.0 to 3.6V. The low power consumption and small size of the MCUS enable a wide range of space-sensitive applications and markets, including automotive, industrial control, computing, consumer, Internet of Things and medical.

     Greg Robinson, Microchip's corporate vice president for the 8-member MCU group, said, "One of the major barriers to large-scale iot adoption is the cost of implementing edge nodes. With the introduction of the PIC18-Q20 family of MCUS, Microchip is helping to break down this barrier. This is the industry's first low-pin MCU with I3C and uses a new standard communication interface to enable flexible and cost-effective expansion of iot applications."

     As the market shifts to solutions requiring higher performance, lower power consumption and smaller dimensions, I3C helps designers and software developers meet these potentially challenging requirements. Compared to I2C, I3C has higher communication rates and lower power consumption, while maintaining backward compatibility with legacy systems. I3C and MVIO capabilities, combined with Microchip's configurable kern-independent peripherals (CIPs), reduce system costs, design complexity, and board space by replacing external level converters with on-chip multiple voltage domains.