A MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC. PUBLICATION NOV/

DEC

2015

9 13 21Less Power, More Memory

Beyond the Meter

Visualize Your RTOS Trace

A MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC. PUBLICATION

The Microchip name and logo, the Microchip logo, dsPIC, FlashFlex, KEELOQ, KEELOQ logo, MOST, MPLAB, mTouch, PIC, PICmicro, PICSTART, PIC32 logo, Quiet-WIRE, rfPIC, SST, SST Logo, SuperFlash and UNI/O are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. FilterLab, Hampshire, HI-TECH C, Linear Active Thermistor, MTP, SEEVAL and The Embedded Control Solutions Company are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. Silicon Storage Technology is a registered trademark of Microchip Technology Inc. in other countries.

Analog-for-the-Digital Age, Application Maestro, BodyCom, chipKIT, chipKIT logo, CodeGuard, dsPICDEM, dsPICDEM.net, dsPICworks, dsSPEAK, ECAN, ECONOMONITOR, FanSense, HI-TIDE, In Circuit Serial Programming, ICSP, Mindi, MiWi, MPASM, MPF, MPLAB Certified logo, MPLIB, MPLINK, Omniscient Code Generation, PICC, PICC-18, PICDEM, PICDEM.net, PICkit, PICtail, REAL ICE, rfLAB, Select Mode, SQI, Serial Quad I/O, Total Endurance, TSHARC, UniWinDriver, WiperLock, ZENA and Z-Scale are trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries.

SQTP is a service mark of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. GestIC and ULPP are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Germany II GmbH & Co. & KG, a subsidiary of Microchip Technology Inc., in other countries. The LoRa name and associated logo are registered trademarks of Semtech Corporation or its subsidiaries. USB-C is a trademark of the USB Implementers Forum. All other trademarks mentioned herein are property of their respective companies. © 2015, Microchip Technology Incorporated, All Rights Reserved.

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ents

COVER STORY 4 Long Range Meets Low Power

Wireless LoRa® Technology: Ideal for Battery-Operated Sensor and Low-Power Internet of Things and Machine-to-Machine Applications

NEW PRODUCTS 7 Across the Miles

Stack-on-Board RN2483 and RN2903 LoRa Technology Wireless Modems Enable Internet of Things

9 Less Power, More MemoryCost-Effective, Low-Power PIC® MCUs Extend Battery Life and Eliminate External Memory via 1 MB of Dual-Partition Flash

10 A Touch of InnovationNew mTouch® Sensing Controllers Make It Easy to Replace Mechanical Buttons with Capacitive Touch in Cost-Sensitive, Low-Power Applications

11 Certified, Fast and SecureThe Next Generation in Bluetooth® Low Energy Solutions is Here

12 High ImmunityKSZ8061 Family of 10/100Base-TX Ethernet PHY Transceivers Features Quiet-WIRE® Technology

13 Beyond the MeterNew Applications for Power Measurement Call for Highly Accurate Solutions

14 Charging AheadDual-Channel USB Port Power Controller Maximizes System Reliability and Uptime Using Dynamic Thermal Management

TECHNOLOGY 15 MOST® Technology in the News

EVENTS 16 CES 2016: Are You Ready?

DEV TOOL DEALS 17 Celebrate the Savings

DESIGN CORNER 19 Weather Wise

20 Get Connected

21 Visualize Your RTOS Trace

22 Working Together Seamlessly

A MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC. PUBLICATION NOV/

DEC

2015

9 13 21Less Power, More Memory

Beyond the Meter

Visualize Your RTOS Trace

Microchip Technology Inc.2355 W. Chandler Blvd. | Chandler, AZ 85224 | www.microchip.com

Don’t Miss the Next Issue ofMicroSolutionsPublished six times a year, MicroSolutions is a valuable resource for product and technology news about Microchip’s innovative solutions. Subscribe today to receive email notifications when each new issue of MicroSolutions is ready. Use the link below:

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EDITOR’S NOTE

3

Synergy and Innovation

As you probably have already learned, Microchip recently acquired Micrel, adding its strong portfolio of timing and communications products, linear and power management products and LAN solutions to our already extensive list

of embedded control devices. We are now able to provide solutions for even more markets and applications with this exciting expansion to our business.

The timing and communications products are new additions to our portfolio, giving us another opportunity to meet our customers’ design requirements. The linear and power management products enhance and complement our existing Analog product offerings. Expanding our portfolio of LAN and connectivity solutions by integrating the Micrel devices will allow us to provide a richer product selection sup-porting additional applications. In fact, in this issue of MicroSolutions, you’ll read about a new, single-chip 10Base-T/100Base-TX Ethernet physical-layer transceiver that comes to us via Micrel that provides uniquely low emissions and high immunity over low-cost Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cables for automotive and industrial network connectivity.

We believe that the synergy generated by the combined product lines of Microchip and Micrel will offer you an even broader range of innovative solutions to serve your specific design needs. We are pleased to announce that the Micrel products have all been incorporated into the Microchip website. Our global sales and support team is available to assist you with integrating the Micrel products into your projects. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your local Microchip office. The Micrel products are also now available for purchase on microchipDIRECT.

Another exciting update from microchipDIRECT is that you can now contact the regional sales and support offices using new toll-free telephone numbers that will work in many of the countries that microchipDIRECT serves. Please visit the microchipDIRECT Regional Sales and Support page to find the toll-free number for your country.

As always, we would be happy to get your feedback on MicroSolutions. Feel free to email us at MSFeedback@microchip.com.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

COVER STORY

Wireless LoRa® Technology: Ideal for Battery-Operated Sensor and Low-Power Internet of Things and Machine-to-Machine ApplicationsEnables Long-Range Connectivity, Longer Battery Life and Lower Costs

With analysts predicting that there will be 25 billion connected things in use by 2020, the explosive growth of the Internet of Things

(IoT) market is challenging developers to establish a simple, robust infrastructure with limited resources. They are seeking a solution that requires a minimum total cost of ownership and is easy to design. It should also offer a short time to market, great interoperability and flexible deployment options.

To meet these demands, Microchip is pleased to partner with other members of the LoRa Alliance to help standardize the Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs) being deployed around the world to enable IoT, Machine-to-Machine (M2M), smart city and indus-trial applications. These low-power applications have requirements—including long-range connectivity combined with long battery lifetimes and low cost

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LONG RANGE MEETS LOW POWER

(continued on page 5)

COVER STORY

5

COVER STORYfor volume deployment—that cannot be fully served by other existing wireless technologies. Microchip has also launched the fully certified RN2483 LoRa Sub-GHz, 433/868 MHz European R&TTE Directive Assessed Radio Modem and the RN2903 LoRa Sub-GHz, 915 MHz North American modems. You can read about these two modems in the “Across the Miles” article on page 7.

LoRa Technology Overview LoRa technology, originally developed by Semtech Corporation, utilizes a spread spectrum modulation in the Sub-GHz band to support a range of up to 15 km (rural). Its low power consump-tion enables a battery life of greater than 10 years. Offering a high network capacity, it allows developers to connect millions of wireless sensor nodes to LoRa technology gateways. LoRa technology is capable of demodulating 20 dB below noise level, significantly improving immunity to the interference when combined with integrated forward error correction. Its highest sensitivity of −148 dBm also enables extremely long-range connectivity. In comparison to 3G and 4G cellular networks, LoRa technology is far more scalable and cost effective for embedded applications.

LoRaWAN™ ProtocolThe LoRaWAN protocol is a LPWAN specification intended for wireless battery-operated devices in regional, national or global networks. In comparison to mesh networks, its star topology eliminates synchronization overhead and hops, which reduces power consumption and enables multiple concurrent applications to run on the network. The LoRaWAN protocol

LoRa® Gateway

Network Server

End NodesLoRa Technology Infrastructure Diagram

LoRa technology is far more scalable and cost effective for embedded applications.

targets key requirements of the IoT such as secure bidirectional communication, mobility and localization services to provide seamless interoperability among smart “things” without the need for complex local installations.

The LoRaWAN protocol addresses a variety of applications by providing different protocol classes:• Class A: Bidirectional End Devices – These devices allow

for bidirectional communications whereby each end device’s uplink transmission is followed by two receive windows for acknowledgements and optional downlink transmission.

• Class B: Bidirectional End Devices with Scheduled Receive Slots – In addition to the Class A receive windows, Class B devices open extra receive windows at scheduled times. (Available in future release)

• Class C: Bidirectional End Devices with Maximal Receive Slots – these devices have nearly continuously open receive windows that are only closed when transmitting. (Available in future release)

LoRaWAN Protocol SecurityThe LoRaWAN protocol implements several layers of encryption to ensure the highest security for the whole infrastructure:• Unique Network session key ensures security on Network

Server/Network level• Unique Application session key ensures security on the

Application Server/Application level• Application key specific for the end device • Network operator cannot decrypt Application Data

The LoRaWAN™ network protocol helps to enable Internet of Things (IoT), Machine-to-Machine (M2M), smart city and industrial applications

(continued on page 6)

COVER STORY

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LoRa Technology InfrastructureThe architecture of the LoRa technology network is a star topology. End devices transfer data to gateways which pass data to the network server. There are currently two LoRa technology network options available:

Private NetworkComprised of individually managed networks and local area networks, the LoRa technology private network consists of three basic parts:• Microchip end nodes• LoRa technology gateway• LoRa technology network server

Our complete, fully certified, LoRa technology end-device modems make it easy to establish an IoT infrastructure. The modems have an embedded LoRaWAN protocol stack on board to easily connect to any LoRa Alliance-certified gateway and network services.

Public NetworkIncorporating telecom/operator managed networks and nationwide deployment, the LoRa technology public network consists of four basic parts:• Microchip end nodes• LoRa technology gateway• LoRa technology public network operator (telecom)• LoRa technology network server

Telecom companies integrate gateways on towers and provide network service. Microchip end devices are embedded with the LoRaWAN protocol to easily connect to the telecom service provider.

The benefits of the LoRa technology infrastructure include:• Star topology with two-way communication• Minimizes synchronization overhead• Not constrained to a single application• Easily connect millions of nodes to LoRa technology

gateways• Adaptive data rate feature on network server optimizes the

network capacity and battery lifetime, and creates a fully scalable system

• Strong ecosystem established with partners• Supports local area network and nationwide deployment

Visit the Low Power Wide Area Network page on Microchip’s website for more information on our LoRa technology solutions. You’ll find additional information, including a complete list of LoRaWAN partners, on the LoRa Alliance website.

NEW PRODUCTS

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Across the MilesStack-on-Board RN2483 and RN2903 LoRa® Technology Wireless Modems Enable Internet of Things

while taking up very little space. Because LoRa technology has a much longer range than other wireless protocols, the RN2483 and RN2903 are able to operate without repeaters, reducing the total cost of ownership. Additionally, the RN2483 and RN2903 address the need to secure network communication by supporting AES-128 encryption.

As a founding member of the LoRa Alliance, Microchip is working to ensure its modems are compatible with all partner gateways and backend network service providers. The RN2483 and RN2903 come with the LoRaWAN™ Class A protocol stack, so they can easily connect with the estab-lished and rapidly expanding LoRa Alliance infrastructure—including both privately managed local area networks (LANs) and telecom-operated public networks—to create Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs) with nationwide coverage. This stack integration also enables the modem to be used with any microcontroller that has a UART interface, including hundreds of Microchip’s PIC® MCUs. The RN2483 and RN2903 also

The RN2483 and RN2903 are well suited for a

broad range of low-data-rate wireless monitoring

and control designs.

Designers of wireless applications have long struggled with the dilemma of providing longer range while offering lower power consumption in their products. By employ-

ing LoRa technology, designers can now maximize both while reducing the need for additional repeaters. The RN2483 and RN2903 are revolutionary end-node solutions that enable extremely long-range, bidirectional communication with signifi-cant battery life for Internet of Things (IoT), Machine-to-Machine (M2M), smart city and industrial applications.

The RN2483 is a fully certified LoRa Sub-GHz, 433/868 MHz European R&TTE Directive Assessed Radio Modem, and the RN2903 is a fully-certified LoRa Sub-GHz, 915 MHz North American modem. Both modems are complete solutions that help you accelerate your development time while reducing your development costs. They combine a small modem form factor of 17.8 × 26.7 × 3 mm with 14 GPIOs, providing the flexibility to connect and control a large number of sensors and actuators

Make it Easy to Tap the 15-km Range and 10-Year Battery Life of LoRa Technology Wireless Networks

The RN2483 (433/868 MHz EU modem) and RN2903 (925 MHz NA modem) are revolutionary end-node solutions that enable extremely long-range bidirectional communication

(continued on page 8)

NEW PRODUCTS

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feature Microchip’s simple ASCII command interface for easy configuration and control.

With their scalability, robust communication, mobility and the ability to operate in harsh outdoor environments, the RN2483 and RN2903 are well suited for a broad range of low-data-rate wireless monitoring and control designs. For smart city applications, the modems can be used in street lights, parking meters and traffic sensors. They can also be used in energy measurement applications such as electricity, water and gas smart meters. The RN2483 and RN2903 also can be designed into industrial, commercial and home automation applications such as HVAC controls, smart appliances, security systems and lighting.

Development SupportTo help speed your product development time, we offer the RN2483 PICtail™/PICtail Plus Development Board (RN-2483-PICTAIL) and the RN2903 PICtail/PICtail Plus Development Board (RN-2903-PICTAIL). Both boards allow you to utilize Microchip’s proven and free MPLAB® X Integrated Development Environment to develop your code. The RN2483

LoRa Technology Mote (DM164138) is a stand-alone, battery-powered node that provides a convenient platform for demonstrating the capabilities of the LoRa modem. It is also available now on microchipDIRECT.

Both the RN2483 and RN2903 are available now for $10.90 each in 1,000-unit quantities and can be purchased from microchipDIRECT or from Microchip’s worldwide distribution network.

NEW PRODUCTS

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Less Power, More MemoryCost-Effective, Low-Power PIC® MCUs Extend Battery Life and Eliminate External Memory via 1 MB of Dual-Partition Flash

them the first in our portfolio of 16-bit MCUs to offer such a large memory size. They allow you to eliminate external memory from your design to lower your system cost. Also featuring dual-partition Flash with Live Update capability, these devices can hold two independent software applications, permitting the simultaneous programming of one partition while executing application code from the other. They offer Active current con-sumption as low as 190 µA/MHz, and 3.2 µA in Sleep mode. This ability to perform over-the-air firmware updates allows you to provide a cost-effective, reliable and secure method for updating your applications.

The robust peripheral set for these devices includes a 200 ksps, 24-channel, 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC); up to 12 timers; six UARTs and USB-OTG to act as a USB device or host. Microchip Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs)—that run without any intervention from the CPU—are also integrat-ed, including a Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) for real-time logic control and Direct Memory Access (DMA) that enables faster throughput and lowers power consumption.

Development SupportThe PIC24F “GB6” family is supported by our standard suite of world-class development tools. The PIC24FJ1024GB610 Plug-In Module (MA240023) is also available for the Explorer 16 Development Board (DM240001).

These latest PIC24F MCUs are available in 64-pin, 100-pin and 121-pin packages, with Flash memory ranging from 128 KB to 1 MB. They can be ordered from microchipDIRECT or from Microchip’s worldwide distribution network.

Does your design need a step up from an 8-bit microcontroller solution in performance, memory and peripherals, while still meeting your cost target? If so, our

cost-effective 16-bit PIC24F family of microcontrollers features eXtreme Low Power (XLP) technology, 16 MIPS performance, high-endurance Flash memory and rich analog integration to suit a wide range of applications. The latest addition to the PIC24F portfolio, the new “GB6” family, is especially well-suited to meet your challenging design requirements. It includes a pow-erful combination of features that make it ideal for industrial, computer, medical/fitness and portable applications that require a long battery life along with data transfer and storage capabil-ity without the addition of external memory, such as electricity metering, HVAC control, fingerprint scanners and gaming.

The PIC24F “GB6” devices include up to 1 MB of Flash memory with Error Correction Code (ECC) and 32 KB of RAM, making

PIC24 “GB6” Family Also Features Live Update Capability for Always-On Industrial, Computer, Medical/Fitness and Portable Applications

The PIC24F “GB6” devices include up to 1 MB of Flash memory with Error Correction Code (ECC) and 32 KB of RAM

NEW PRODUCTS

10

A Touch of InnovationNew mTouch® Sensing Controllers Make It Easy to Replace Mechanical Buttons with Capacitive Touch in Cost-Sensitive, Low-Power Applications

performance, including operation through a glove. Water-resistant touch is provided as well. The MTCH102/5/8 controllers support a wide range of touch-sensor shapes and sizes, feature automatic compensation for environmental conditions and provide reliable operation in the presence of water. Moreover, active guarding improves the proximity-sensing performance and makes the electronic design robust, even with long board traces to the touch sensors.

With no software to write and a very simple interface, these additions to our MTCH10X mTouch sensing portfolio offer a quick and robust solution for developing touch appli-cations in your low-cost embedded applications without sacrificing performance.

Development SupportTo enable the easy evaluation and configuration of capacitive-touch interfaces, the MTCH102-5-8 devices are supported by the compact MTCH108 Evaluation Board (DM160229).

The MTCH102, MTCH105 and MTCH108 are available now for sampling and volume production from microchipDIRECT or from Microchip’s worldwide distribution network.

These controllers come with advanced multi-stage noise filtering algorithms.

Adding appeal to your product—while also improving its usability—can be as simple as updating the design from mechanical buttons to a capacitive touch interface.

Capacitive human interfaces are rapidly being integrated into a number of applications, ranging from lighting controls and light switches, to office equipment, to white goods and appliances, to the latest electronic toys, and more. If you are ready to innovate, our turnkey MTCH102/5/8 capacitive touch controllers make it easy to add proximity and touch detection to any application that is constrained by size, power or cost.

In a hardware-only configuration, these 2-, 5- and 8-channel controllers replace mechanical buttons with a simple digital output. Only touch sensitivity and power modes have to be configured using a resistor or PWM. Internally, the MTCH102/5/8 controllers come with advanced multi-stage noise filtering algo-rithms to achieve high reliability and more sensitive touch

Quickly Integrate Proximity and Touch Sensing Technology Without Writing Any Software

Microchip’s turnkey capacitive touch controllers make it easy to add proximity and touch detection to any application

NEW PRODUCTS

11

Certified, Fast and SecureThe Next Generation in Bluetooth® Low Energy Solutions is Here

government-grade (FIPS-based) secure connection support. Data is sent and received over the Bluetooth link using Trans-parent UART mode, making it easy to integrate with any pro-cessor or the hundreds of Microchip’s PIC® microcontrollers that have a UART interface. The BM70 module also supports standalone “hostless” operation for beacon applications.

These new devices feature an optimized power profile to minimize current consumption and extend battery life. They are offered in compact form factors as small as 4 × 4 mm for the RF ICs and 15 × 12 mm for the module. The module options include RF regulatory certifications, or non-certified (unshielded/antenna-less) for smaller and more remote antenna designs that will undergo end-product emission certifications.

Our Bluetooth LE modules include all of the hardware, software and certifications that you need to get your product to market more quickly. You can leverage our Bluetooth Qualified Design ID (QDID) to easily list your products with the Bluetooth SIG. Embed-ded Bluetooth stack profiles include GAP, GATT, ATT, SMP and L2CAP, as well as proprietary services for Transparent UART. All modules are configurable using our Windows® OS-based tools.

Development SupportThe BM70 Bluetooth Low Energy PICtail™/PICtail Plus Daughter Board (BM-70-PICTAIL) enables code development via USB interface to a PC, or by connecting to Microchip’s existing microcontroller development boards, such as the Explorer 16, PIC18 Explorer and PIC32 I/O Expansion Board. To purchase these new Bluetooth LE products, please visit microchipDIRECT or contact your local Microchip sales office.

In a world where mobile connectivity is ubiquitous, exciting new applications for the Internet of Things (IoT) and proximity aware-ness using beacons are just now starting to emerge. Designers

of a new wave of innovative products for the Android™ and Apple® iOS markets can rely on Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) to enable the extremely power-efficient and simple connectivity that will help bring their ideas to life. If you are ready to get started with a Bluetooth LE-enabled IoT or Bluetooth Beacon application, our next-generation Bluetooth LE solutions offer you proven interop-erability as well as the convenience of a single point of contact for design support from our global staff of wireless specialists.

Qualified to the latest Bluetooth 4.2 standard, the IS1870 and IS1871 Bluetooth LE RF ICs, along with the BM70 module, carry both worldwide regulatory and Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) certifications. They include an integrated, certified Bluetooth 4.2 firmware stack, so you can expect up to 2.5 times faster data transfer speeds and greater connection security, with

Complete Bluetooth 4.2-Compliant Silicon, Modules and Software Provide Ultimate Design Flexibility for Cost Savings

The IS1870, IS1871 ICs and BM70 module include an integrated, certified Bluetooth 4.2 firmware stack

NEW PRODUCTS

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High ImmunityKSZ8061 Family of 10/100Base-TX Ethernet PHY Transceivers Features Quiet-WIRE® Technology

Microchip’s proven LinkMD® advanced cable diagnostics, along with an embedded signal-quality indicator for the dynamic monitoring of link error margins. For energy-efficient applications, our integrated EtherGREEN™ technology includes a unique Ultra Deep Sleep mode with signal-detect wakeup, which lowers standby power consumption to the sub-microampere range.

With fast boot and linkup in less than 20 mS, the KSZ8061 is ideal for applications where startup time is critical, such as automotive rearview cameras. The KSZ8061 family is available with an extended temperature range of −40 to +105 degrees Celsius for harsh-environment applications, including industrial sensor networks, robotics, building automation and avionics. This Ethernet PHY transceiver family supports both the MII and RMII processor interfaces for easy integration with numerous processors, microcontrollers and SoCs.

Development SupportTo assist you with your product development, the KSZ8061MNX Evaluation Board (KSZ8061MNX-EVAL) enables functional and performance testing of the KSZ8061. It is available now for pre-orders, with delivery in January.

The KSZ8061 is offered in compact 32-pin, 5 × 5 mm and 48-pin, 6 × 6 mm QFN packages. Samples can be ordered now, with volume production availability expected next quarter. For more information, contact your local Microchip sales office.

A key consideration for developers of today’s automotive and industrial applications is the goal of reducing costs while still meeting stringent EMC specifications. Shield-

ed Twisted Pair (STP) cables provide effective protection for data transmission in these types of noisy environments, but they are expensive. Offering another alternative, the KSZ8061 single-chip 10Base-T/100Base-TX Ethernet physical-layer (PHY) transceiver provides uniquely low emissions and high immunity over low-cost Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cables for automotive and industrial network connectivity. Additionally, the established Ethernet ecosystem provides a low total cost of ownership and other multifaceted benefits.

The KSZ8061 is the first of a new family based on the patented and programmable Quiet-WIRE® enhanced EMC technology, providing reduced line emissions and superior receiver immu-nity performance. System reliability is also enhanced with

Enables Unshielded Twisted Pair Cables While Meeting Automotive and Industrial EMC Requirements

The KSZ8061 is the first of a new family based on the patented and programmable Quiet-WIRE® enhanced EMC technology

NEW PRODUCTS

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Beyond the MeterNew Applications for Power Measurement Call for Highly Accurate Solutions

apparent power, import and export of active energy accumulation, four-quadrant reactive energy accumulation, zero-crossing detection and event notification—while adding an I2C interface. The I2C interface allows up to four devices on a bus, making it an ideal choice where multiple loads need to be monitored.

Critical to higher-performance designs, the MCP39F521 is capable of just 0.1% error across a wide 4000:1 dynamic range. This accuracy is enabled by the 24-bit Delta-Sigma ADCs with 94.5 dB of SINAD performance and low drift voltage reference. The on-board 512 bytes of EEPROM can be used to store data, such as operating conditions. This combination of features and performance allows you to add highly accurate power-monitoring functionality to your design without extensive firmware development or expertise in metrology.

Development SupportThe MCP39F521 is supported by the MCP39F521 Power Monitor Demonstration Board (ADM00686).

Visit microchipDIRECT or contact your local Microchip sales office to order samples or production quantities of the MCP39F521.

The MCP39F521 is capable of 0.1% error across a wide

4000:1 dynamic range.

Power measurement is most commonly thought of as an application for electric utility meters or industrial power meters. However, companies in a broad range of

industries are starting to recognize the value of adding power monitoring options to their industrial, infrastructure and con-sumer products. Real-time power monitoring can be used within a system to improve robustness, adjusting performance over varying power conditions and/or monitoring system effi-ciency and sending an alert if it deteriorates below a certain level. Power monitoring also allows products to display power usage to the consumer as a tool for reducing energy use and utility bills.

The MCP39F521 single-phase power-monitoring IC is an addition to the MCP39F5XX family, designed for real-time mea-surement of AC power. The MCP39F521 maintains the most popular power calculations—such as active, reactive and

MCP39F521 Power Monitoring IC Helps Consumers Reduce Energy Usage

The MCP39F521 single-phase power-monitoring IC is designed for real-time measurement of AC power

NEW PRODUCTS

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Charging AheadDual-Channel USB Port Power Controller Maximizes System Reliability and Uptime Using Dynamic Thermal Management

limit, preventing shutdown and allowing for charging where other devices have stopped completely. The UCS2112’s inte-grated current monitor eliminates the need for an external sense resistor and enables an “attach detect” signal that does not rely on the main power to be active for hosts that are off or sleeping. Current monitoring and rationing can also help manage multiple charging devices and can balance a dynamic load current for systems with smaller power supplies.

The UCS2112 can be used in a wide breadth of host devices, such as the laptops, tablets, monitors, docking stations and printers found in automotive, computing, education and avi-ation applications, as well as multi-port charging accessories and storage. It can work individually or in concert with USB hubs to create a complete charging and/or USB-communication system. The UCS2112 also aligns with the USB Power Deliv-ery initiatives from the USB Industry Forum, and is in com-pliance with various charging specifications, including the USB-IF BC1.2.

Development SupportTo help you get started with your UCS2112 port power controller design, the UCS2112 Evaluation Board (ADM00639) demonstrates the features of two USB ports that are capable of data transfer and charging up to 6A. A graphical user interface allows you to configure, exercise and observe charging limits, accumulated current, alerts and attachment status.

The UCS2112 and the UCS2112 Evaluation Board can be ordered today from microchipDIRECT or from Microchip’s worldwide distribution network.

Primarily driven by the higher-capacity batteries used in today’s larger cellphones and tablets, a trend is emerging for USB charging applications to support faster charging

times at higher currents. Not only do designers of the latest products need a USB charging solution that will supply the requisite safety features, they need a device that incorporates current monitoring and a thermal-management scheme to maximize system uptime and reliability.

Microchip’s new UCS2112 port power controller supports two ports, with eight programmable continuous current limits for each port ranging from 0.53 to 3.0 Amps. Features for protect-ing and increasing overall system uptime include integrated current monitoring, precision current limiting, charge rationing and dynamic thermal management. For a better end-user expe-rience, the UCS2112’s dynamic thermal-management feature throttles back the current limit as it approaches the thermal

Faster Charging at Higher Currents Enabled by Up to 3 Amps of Continuous Current Per Port

The USC2112 can be used in a wide breadth of host devices, such as laptops, tablets, monitors, docking stations and printers

15

TECHNOLOGY

MOST Linux® Driver Added to Open-Source Linux Mainline Kernel 4.3The increasing demand for reliable and simple solutions to support audio, video and data communications in cars is driving the trend toward using Linux and open-source software in combination with MOST technology, the de-facto stan-dard for high-bandwidth automotive multimedia networking. The MOST Linux Driver has recently been added to the Linux Mainline Kernel 4.3, making it easier for designers to combine MOST technology with Linux while shortening time to market and reducing development costs. More Information.

Cost-Efficient CI+ Based Pay TV Now Enabled in Automotive Infotainment NetworksSystem designers using MOST technology in their automotive infotainment networks can now leverage Microchip’s broad portfolio of MOST networking products to quickly bring cost-efficient CI+ based Pay TV to their cars. The MOST Cooperation recently released its latest MOST Stream Transmission Specification, which includes support for the MOST CI+ Interim License Agreement issued by CI Plus LLP. CI+ is a technical specification that provides additional security and features to the proven DVB Common Interface Standard, and now allows a MOST network to transport CI+ protected content using Digital Transmission Content Protection (DTCP). More Information.

MOST® Technology in the News

16

EVENTSAre You Ready?Our Latest Innovations Will Be Waiting for You at CES 2016Experience Microchip’s Technology and Solutions Firsthand

• Health & Fitness Zone: Let Microchip help you design the next generation of health and fitness devices using our flexible solutions.

• Internet of Things (IoT) Zone: Take advantage of our wireless solutions, sensors and secured microcontrollers that enable end-to-end solutions to help you successfully connect your embedded systems to the cloud.

• Touch & 3D Gesture Zone: Experience our award-winning user interface (UI) solutions supporting buttons, sliders, touchpads, touch screens and 3D control.

You can also visit Microchip’s Wireless Zone in Meeting Room Bassano 2704 at the Venetian Hotel to see our broad portfolio of cost-effective, easy-to-implement wireless solutions. We have a wide selection of fully-certified Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, Bluetooth Low Energy and Sub-GHz modules as well as a new modem supporting the long-distance, low-power LoRa® technology.

If you’d like more in-depth information while you’re at the show, you can use our Online Demo Request System to schedule an appointment to meet with representatives from Microchip and to view specific demos from our technology zones. We’re excited to have this opportunity to meet you and demonstrate how our broad product portfolio can help you succeed in 2016 and beyond. See you in Las Vegas!

CES is where thousands of people who thrive on innovation gather annually to learn about the latest technologies and products. Microchip will be in Las Vegas for CES 2016,

with more than 30 demos on display that span a wide range of product markets. Visit our main exhibit in Booth MP25655, South Hall 2 Meeting Place at the Las Vegas Convention Center to see our broad portfolio of innovative solutions in the automo-tive, computing, connectivity, Internet of Things, health/fitness, power, and touch and 3D control markets:• Automotive Zone: Learn how our safety, connectivity

and human-machine interface solutions contribute to the advancement of intelligence throughout the vehicle.

• Computing Zone: Find out why Microchip is at the forefront of computing and embedded computing applications by supporting the Intel® Corporation’s new Enhanced Serial Peripheral Interface (eSPI), enabling you to transmit data securely and confidentially, making it easy to add motion sensors to your applications and more.

• Connectivity & Power Zone: Are you looking to connect or to power your electronic devices? Microchip has the USB solutions you need, including devices that support the new USB-C™ technology, USB 3.1 hub controllers and a new port power controller that enables higher-current USB charging systems.

DEV TOOL DEALS

17

Celebrate the Savings

Curiosity Development Board (DM164137)Save $5.00Bring your Internet of Things or other design idea to life with the new Curiosity Development Board. As the perfect platform to harness the power of modern 8-bit PIC® microcontrollers, it includes an integrated programmer/debugger and requires no additional hardware to get started.

Multimedia Expansion Board II (DM320005-2)Almost $75.00 in SavingsThe highly integrated, compact and flexible Multimedia Expansion Board II (MEB-II) works with the PIC32MZ Starter Kit to help you develop a wide range of multime-dia applications. It features a 4.3" WQVGA PCAP touch display daughter board, an onboard 24-bit stereo audio codec, a VGA camera, an 802.11 b/g wireless module, a Bluetooth® HCI transceiver, a temperature sensor, a microSD™ slot and an analog accelerometer.

MM7150 Motion Module Evaluation Board (AC243007)Save Over $12.00Want to add motion capability to your next design? The MM7150 Motion Module Evaluation Board plugs directly into the Explor-er 16 Development Board (DM240001) to make it easy for virtually anyone to add motion capability to an endless variety of embedded and Internet of Things applications.

It’s time again to get some great deals on a variety of Microchip development tools. During our 2015 Dev Tools End of Year Sale, you can save 25% on some exciting

new boards like our 8-bit Curiosity Development Board and the MM7150 Motion Module Evaluation Board. You’ll also find great prices on tools to assist you in programming and debug-ging your design, including our PICkit™ 3 In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer. Below are just some featured products; you’ll find the full list on the 2015 Dev Tools End of Year Sale page on our website. Add your selected items to your microchipDIRECT cart and use coupon code EOY2015DT during checkout. But act quickly—the savings end on January 4, 2016.

(continued on page 18)

DEV TOOL DEALS

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PICkit™ 3 In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer (PG164130)Save Almost $12.00An integral part of the development engineer’s tool suite, the PICkit 3 In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer is a simple, low-cost device for the debugging and program-ming of PIC® MCUs and dsPIC® DSCs with Flash memory.

MPLAB® REAL ICE™ Power Monitor (AC244008)Save $95.00Optimize your code for low-power applications. The MPLAB REAL ICE Power Monitor helps you identify and eliminate code—in real time—that consumes high current. When used in conjunction with the MPLAB REAL ICE In-Circuit Emulator and MPLAB X IDE, it allows you to measure, graphically profile and optimize code power consumption for all of our 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit PIC MCUs.

Don’t forget to also head on over to our December Dev Tools Deals page where you’ll find even more of our tools on sale at up to 50% off their regular prices. Enjoy the savings and the holidays!

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Weather Wise

This demonstration uses the Multimedia Expansion Board II (DM320005-2) and the PIC32MZ EF Starter Kit (DM320007).

Creating a TCP/IP Project from Scratch: This in-depth, step-by-step tutorial shows you how to create a simple HTTPS client application which communicates with the Yahoo Weather Service in order to retrieve and display the temperature of a specific location on earth. The retrieved weather data (tempera-ture) is sent to the PC via a USB CDC-class connection (emulat-ing RS-232) and is displayed in a terminal application (CoolTerm). The demonstration uses the PIC32 Ethernet Starter Kit (DM320004).

Visit the MPLAB Harmony page on the Microchip website to learn more about the TCP/IP stack and other fea-tures that you can use to develop your PIC32 MCU-based embedded application.

The MPLAB® Harmony software framework incorporates a free TCP/IP stack that provides a foundation for developing PIC32 MCU-based embedded network applications. It is

capable of handling most of the interaction required between the physical network port and your application. Modules for several commonly used protocols and application layers—such as HTTP for serving web pages, SMTP for sending e-mails, SNMP for providing status and control, Telnet, TFTP, Serial-to-Ethernet and others—are included. Two videos available now on the Microchip YouTube channel give you a closer look at the MPLAB Harmony TCP/IP stack and the many benefits it offers to help you get started with your next networking project.

MPLAB Harmony TCP/IP Stack Introduction: This short video discusses the key features and benefits of the MPLAB Harmony TCP/IP stack optimized for PIC32 MCUs. It showcases a quick demonstration of a PIC32 MCU running a web server by executing the TCP/IP Stack.

Create Your Own PIC32 MCU-Based Weather Station Using New Training Videos on MPLAB® Harmony TCP/IP Stack

DESIGN CORNER

20

Get Connected

needs. Multiple on-board communication peripherals can be used with external modules to enable Ethernet, Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth® and long-range communications such as LoRa® wireless technology.

Demonstrating this concept, our IoT Sensor Badge uses a 20-pin PIC16F18345 to interface with multiple sensors, a sound buzzer, a communication module and RGB Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to perform various application functions, including communication with a smartphone application via Bluetooth. It also incorporates an MCP16252 synchronous boost DC/DC reg-ulator for single-cell operation, an MCP9701 analog temperature sensor and an RN4020 Bluetooth Low Energy Module.

The IoT Sensor Badge offers four modes of operation. In Mode 1, the PIC16F18345 reads the badge tilt angle via data from a 3-axis accelerometer and then lights the RGB LEDs on the axis with the most measure force. The center LEDs turn off when the badge is tilted beyond 45 degrees. Mode 2 demonstrates the MCU man-aging LED color mixing and dimming. In Mode 3, the buzzer and LEDs are driven based on the magnitude of the force sensed by the accelerometer. Mode 4 demonstrates how a double tap on the badge can cause the buzzer to sound and the LEDs to light up in a pattern. A smartphone/tablet application allows you to change the modes and also view the tilt angle of the badge, the status of each LED, temperature data and battery voltage in real time.

You’ll find all the details—including links to the product pages and downloads for the BOM, source code, schematic, gerber files and the Android™ app—on the PIC16F18345 IoT Sensor Demo page on our website.

With the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT), designers of connected applications find they need to develop systems that can manage multiple functions while con-

serving power. These applications range from reading remote sensors and sending the data to the cloud, to enabling remote bootloader capability for functionality and software updates. The IoT also uses many communication protocols such as wired, wireless, low-energy and long-range connectivity, so an ideal solution would be flexible enough to support a variety of options.

Offering an array of Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs), our newest 8-bit PIC MCUs provide the capabilities to handle mul-tiple functions without intervention from the core, saving system power. The integrated analog, digital and communication periph-erals perform functions autonomously, with the ability to alter system performance based on feedback or other application

Internet of Things Sensor Badge With 8-bit PIC® MCU Demonstrates Multiple Functions for Low-Power Applications

DESIGN CORNER

The IoT Sensor Badge uses a 20-pin PIC16F18345 device

21

Visualize Your RTOS Trace

conclusions from large, complex data. In its unique, vertical timeline you can monitor task scheduling, preemptions, inter-rupts, RTOS API calls, blocking, resumes, timeouts, RTOS ticks and user events, all at a glance.

Over 20 different views are available at your fingertips, all connected, so that clicking an event on the main view will take you to the same event on any of the other views you have open. Percepio’s FreeRTOS+Trace for PIC32 can help you visualize solutions for real-world problems like why the watchdog is timing out or where the jitter is originating in the periodic tasks, and why.

FreeRTOS+Trace for PIC32 consists of three parts, all included in the installation package:• A trace recorder library that integrates with FreeRTOS,

provided in C source code• The Trace Export Plug-in for MPLAB X IDE, which reads the

recorder RAM buffer and outputs a trace file• The standalone application for visualizing the trace files (for

Microsoft Windows® and Linux® operating systems)

FreeRTOS+Trace for PIC32 is a sophisticated complement to any PIC32 design using FreeRTOS, and it is now available for purchase from microchipDIRECT.

Visit the FreeRTOS+Trace for PIC32 product page to get a detailed look at the many features and views available and to download a free 15-day evaluation license.

In the RTOS world, timing is everything. If you are designing the latest Internet of Things or standalone device using an RTOS, you know that every millisecond counts. You want to

be certain that you can build software that is efficient enough to squeeze out every last drop of performance. Even if you look at your code all day long, you still won’t understand the complex interactions between your timers, watchdog, and peripheral inputs and outputs. Humans are visual creatures who need to see to understand.

That’s where FreeRTOS+Trace for PIC32 comes in. This version of Percepio’s Tracealyzer targets users of PIC32 MCUs, FreeRTOS and MPLAB® X IDE, providing a high-level visual-ization of the system in question and making it easier to draw

Squeezing Out Every Last Drop of PerformanceContributed by Percepio

DESIGN CORNER

22

Working Together Seamlessly

This collaboration of edge device, communication, business systems and software, and solution providers is focused on advancing innovation in the digital enterprise and accelerating the overall adoption of IoT. Members can team together to help their customers figure out complex solutions, reach their goals, and efficiently go to market, often much faster than by working on their own.

Microchip has joined this alliance as a founding member, falling within the edge device partner category. This will help drive new opportunities for its customers and to enable them to more easily create IoT edge designs with a broad range of wired and wireless solutions, sensors and eXtreme Low Power PIC® micro-controllers. Solutions built with these embedded devices collect the data that is sent to the Exosite IoT cloud. Other members of the Exosite IoT Alliance can then provide the right connectivity solution to efficiently and securely transmit data to and from the cloud and help customers convert that collected data into business value.

To learn more about how Exosite’s customized resources and support can enable your IoT project, visit www.exosite.com.

A rapidly evolving market like the Internet of Things (IoT) needs an agile ecosystem of technology providers, resources and experts to reduce the complexity of devel-

oping solutions and to get them to market quickly. Recognizing this, Exosite, a Microchip Embedded Cloud Design Partner with a proven IoT platform, has recently launched the Exosite IoT Alliance.

Solution and Technology Providers Seek to Leverage Enterprise Innovation for the Internet of ThingsContributed by Exosite

DESIGN CORNER

The Microchip name and logo and the Microchip logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their registered owners. © 2015 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. 10/15DS20005452A

www.microchip.com/powermonitoring

Adding high-accuracy power monitoring to your application has become easier with the MCP39F521/511 power monitoring ICs. The combination of a high-performance analog front end and calculation engine provides a range of power quantities including active, reactive and apparent power, active and reactive energy, power factor, frequency and zero-crossing, with accuracies capable of just 0.1% error across a 4000:1 dynamic range.

• High accuracy power monitoring solution• Provides power calculations and event monitoring

High-Accuracy Power Monitoring

for Your Application