Looking to effectively take microcontrollers to address new markets, Microchip Technology Inc. this week introduced what it says is the smallest and least expensive microcontroller on the market today.

The tiny device is in a 6-pin package, SOT-23 and offers the high performance of the company's PIC microcontroller architecture.  The PIC10F 8-bit flash microcontroller is supported by the company's Mplab development tool suite and the PICkit Flash Starter Kit.

"Microchip continues to push the limits of the 8-bit microcontroller, creating a new breed of ultra-small flash devices that are opening the door to non-traditional uses for the PIC microcontroller," said Steve Drehobl, vice president of the Chandler, Ariz.-based company's microcontroller division, in a statement. "The 6-pin devices provide a cost-effective replacement for many discrete logic or mechanical functions, substantially reducing component count and board space while giving engineers additional design flexibility

Microchip believes the very small low cost devices can serve markets previously not open to microcontrollers such as "electronic glue" to fix ASIC bugs and printed circuit board designs, and to replace standard logic and timing components.

"This will enable new users to enable new uses," said Gregory Brown, a product marketing manager at the company. "These devices are 5 to 10 percent smaller than any other devices out there on the market, and they are also the lowest cost."

In addition, the chips can be used as traditional general-purpose microcontrollers, Brown said, for designers looking to reduce board space.

Microchip is sampling the device now, and will go to volume production in July.

By: DocMemory
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