30. September 2009 by admin.

 From http://techtrain.microchip.com/RTCV2/EDF/promotions.aspx

Gain a competitive edge.The Microchip Worldwide Embedded Designer’s Forum is a technical training event developed for hardware and software engineers to demonstrate Microchip’s commitment to developing innovative technologies to help you stay ahead in today’s competitive environment.

• Discover how your next design can benefit from the
  PIC® microcontroller platform
• Simplify your development process with one integrated development environment with compatible software libraries, re-usable development hardware, and pin and peripheral compatibility, which enables software reuse across projects.
• There are 120 events scheduled across North America, Europe, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Asean and India.
• Learn about the latest technologies to enhance your next design through discussions and demonstrations led by Microchip’s expert staff. 
• Sessions are packed with practical information and advice on how to achieve the lowest power consumption
  • Add a more stylish user interface
  • Run more complex software
  • Add USB connectivity
  • Save money on development and system BOM cost

Sessions:

• Lower Your System Power with the World’s Lowest Sleep Power MCU
• Design in C with the New 32 MHz PIC16F1 Family of 8-bit Microcontrollers
• Expand Your Application with 32-bit Performance
• Add LCD and Graphics Displays to Your Products
• Integrate USB Connectivity into Your Embedded Design
• Improve Your User Interfaces Using Touch Sense Technology

Registration includes free C Compilers, software and discounts on selected development tools and starter kits. 

Refreshments and Lunch are included. For a complete list of dates and venues, click here.

Posted in Training & Education, 8-bit, Free Stuff, 16-bit, 32-bit | Print | 1 Comment »

28. September 2009 by admin.

From: http://dev.emcelettronica.com/using-microchips-op-amp-spice-macro-models

The SPICE macro models for Microchip’s operational amplifiers (op amps) aid in the design and analysis of various circuits by allowing for detailed simulation of the circuit being designed. This app note does not explain how to use the circuit simulator but will give the user a better understanding how the model behaves and tips on convergence issues.

Microchip’s op amp SPICE macro models cover a wide aspect of the op amp’s electrical specifications. Not only do the models cover voltage, current, and resistance of the op amp, but it also covers the temperature and noise effects on the behavior of the op amp.

Microchip’s op amp SPICE macro models were written and tested in Orcad’s PSPICE 10.0 which is equivalent to Cadence PSPICE 15.x. The type of modeling technique that was used to model the op amps is called “Macro Modeling”. It is based on treating the op amp as a black box and using mathematical equivalents of the internal functions. As opposed to macro modeling, transistor level modeling is used for modeling of the device under development and fabrication.

Microchip’s op amp SPICE macro models are provided in netlist format. This is useful for simulating the models in a number of different simulators. Please refer to your simulator software reference manual on how to create a schematic symbol and relating a netlist to the symbol. All SPICE simulation schematic tools are different in their creation of a schematic symbol and relating it to the library file.

Posted in Spice Models, Op Amps, analog | Print | 2 Comments »

25. September 2009 by admin.

Make: Halloween Contest 2009, sponsored by Microchip Technology!

Microchip Technology Inc. and MAKE have teamed up to present to you the Make: Halloween Contest 2009! Show us your embedded microcontroller Halloween projects and you could be chosen as a winner. Use a microcontroller to make anything from themed lawn decorations to creative costumes - the possibilities are endless. The Make: Halloween Contest will run for 8 weeks, and the Prizewinners will be announced on Friday, November 6th. Deadline for entries is 11:59 p.m. PDT November 3, 2009. Each entry will be judged based on the following criteria: creativity of idea, use of Halloween theme, technical implementation using a microcontroller, execution and craftsmanship, and quality of documentation. Please see Official Rules for more information on the Winner selection.

To submit a project, you can either submit photos to the Make: Halloween Contest Flickr pool or upload a video and add it to the Make: Halloween Contest YouTube group. Please include a short description when you post images/videos. In addition to this, you must fill out our contest entry form.

Posted in Make Magazine, Contest, Microchip | Print | 1 Comment »

22. September 2009 by admin.

Thanks Todd S for sending these in!

Microchip is at booth 201 at ESC Boston. If you couldn’t make the show, they are offering a few discounts and freebies. You can even win 1 of 4 iPods.  There’s training in their booth too.

Win an iPod Touch by visiting http://www.microchip.com/survey/esc

Get a free class from their Regional Training Centers when you use coupon code ESC#100WNA at http://techtrain.microchip.com/rtcv2/

Save 20% off any dev tool when you use ESCB2009 at checkout on http://www.microchipdirect.com/ 

Posted in Training & Education, Survey, Tradeshows, 8-bit, PIC, 32-bit, 16-bit, Free Stuff, Development Tool | Print | 1 Comment »

20. September 2009 by admin.

Check out http://www.microchip.com/cfc/

Trade in your old development tool clunker for a new one from Microchip!

Announcing the “Cash for Clunkers” development-tool exchange program, offering you a cost-effective way to do your part for the environment and get better mileage with Microchip. After all, Uncle Sam isn’t offering the electronics industry any bailouts; so Microchip thought it would stimulate better designs by giving embedded engineers an attractive incentive to trade up for more sleek and modern development tools.

Microchip’s Cash for Clunkers program allows embedded designers who are tired of looking at the faded paint jobs on their old tools to exchange selected models from Microchip’s competitors for savings up to 30%—up to a $120—on select PIC® Microcontroller, memory and analog development tools (see Web site for details). But you’d better act fast—the program ends on October 30, 2009. Of course, Microchip will dispose of all exchanged competitor tools in an appropriate manner.

Move up to Microchip and send us your Atmel, TI or Freescale development tool** and receive up 30% off the following Microchip development tools:

·         Starter Kit for PIC18F

·         Starter Kit for PIC24F

·         Starter Kit for PIC24H

·         PIC32 Starter Kit

·         Starter Kit for Memory Products

·         PICkit™ 3 Debug Express

·         PIC18 Development Kit (includes PICkit™ 3)

·         MPLAB^® ICD 3 Evaluation Kit (Includes PICDEM™ 2 Plus)

·         MPLAB^® ICD 3 and Explorer 16 Kit

In addition, you will receive a 20% discount off any of Microchip’s analog development tools.

Simply complete the form to register for this promotion. You will receive a confirmation Email with details on how to return your tool back to Microchip and when you will receive your discount coupons. This form needs to be completed for each tool you wish to return as part of this limited-time offer.

Posted in 8-bit, Programmer, Debugger, PIC, 16-bit, Microchip, Limited-time Offer, 32-bit, Development Tool | Print | 1 Comment »

18. September 2009 by admin.

PicStic 5

     The PicStic 5 is a low cost industrial-oriented controller designed around the PIC16F876. The PicStic 5 incorporates digital inputs, digital outputs, analog inputs, analog outputs, extended data memory, and serial communication all in a single 0.8-cubic-inch encapsulated module.

     The PicStic 5 utilizes a pair of communication line drivers to allow several types of serial communication. RS-232A, RS-422, and RS-485 protocols are available with the PicStic 5. With an 8MHz-system clock, the PicStic 5 has the ability to communicate serially at baud rates up to 250Kbps. This becomes beneficial when time is a factor. SPI and I2C communications are also available. These buses are made accessible through pins 23-25. During I2C communication the SCL frequency can be set at 100KHz, 400KHz, or 1MHz. During SPI communications, bits can be clocked out at rates up to 2MHz. In SPI and I2C modes received data is double buffered allowing a second byte of data to be received before the first byte is processed.

     Accompanying the 4-channels of 10-bit analog-to-digital converters supplied by the PIC16F876 processor, the PicStic 5 also offers 2-channels of 12-bit analog-to-digital conversion. The two 12-bit channels can be sampled at approximately 10K samples/sec. The four 10-bit ADC channels can be sampled at approximately 20K samples/sec.  There are 2-channels of 12-bit digital-to-analog conversion included in the PicStic 5. These analog outputs have a range from 0-4.095V. Both channels are loaded simultaneously.

     The PicStic 5 has 16 bi-directional bit-programmable, high-current I/O lines capable of sinking/sourcing 25mA.

Posted in Micromint, 8-bit | Print | 1 Comment »

10. September 2009 by admin.

 PicStic is a low-cost, industrial oriented controller on a 0.85-square-inch SIP (PicStics 1-3) or a DIP (PicStic4). Including options, PicStic incorporates digital inputs and outputs, analog inputs, real-time monitoring, power-input regulation, and serial communication (provided through software) in a single module. PicStics can be used independently or networked together.

     The basic PicStic offers both compatibility and improved performance over the BASIC Stamp I. It comes in four versions: PS1, PS2, PS3, and PS4. The PS1, PS2, and PS3 are all pin-compatible with the Parallax BASIC Stamp I (BS1). The PicStic1 is a straight one-for-one programmable replacement for the BS1.

     The PicStic2 has all the features of the PicStic1 plus a real-time clock/calendar that keeps time in terms of the year, month, day of the month, day of the week, hour, minute, and seconds. The clock always runs while the PicStic2 is powered. An optional 3-V lithium battery maintains the clock when power is off. The battery, which is approximately 0.6 inches in diameter, can be mounted on the front or back of the PicStic2.

     The PicStic3 has all the features of the PicStic1 plus a 2-channel, 12-bit ADC. The compiler contains library routines for reading the ADC and real-time clock.

     PicStic4 consists of a user-programmable controller, similar in most respects to our original PicStic1, enhanced with an intelligent I/O coprocessor. The coprocessor provides extended data memory, automatically reads and sets 12-bit analog I/O, reads or sets the real-time clock, and supports up to 19 bits of parallel I/O. Beyond the physical attributes, the coprocessor also provides numerous processing and data management functions which can be accessed from the controller side.

     Complicated program tasks like scanning keypads, driving an LCD display, recording Vmin, Vpeak, and Vavg analog readings, reading and setting the real-time clock, recording important data in extended nonvolatile memory, totaling events, reading frequency, generating a constant PWM output, or reading Dallas Semiconductor iButton serial numbers, are all provided as simple callable functions from the I/O coprocessor. PicStic4 is designed to provide the user with a cost-effective and easily programmable control device without requiring the user to eat up valuable controller-side programming space with all the low-level code typically necessary to perform useful monitoring and control activities.

     While PicStics 1-3 are BASIC Stamp I pin-compatible, you can program all PicStics in more than BASIC. Unlike the customized hardware of the BASIC Stamp, PicStic uses a generic reprogrammable PIC16F84 processor and customized compiler. Additional features and improvements typically involve recompiling your program, not buying new hardware.

     The single major advantage of the PicStic is that you get additional I/O lines and access to the four PIC16F84 interrupt sources when using assembly language (or an assembly-language call appended to PicBASIC or C). With an ADC, interrupts, and 10 I/O lines, the PS3 provides a powerful little controller for cost-conscious applications.

     Using the PicBASIC compiler, PicStic 1 is 100% Stamp I compatible. As a bonus, it’s also at least 15 times faster for the same crystal speed.     PicStics are now available with double the program space, double the data EEPROM space, and over three times the RAM space. The 2k version is available for the PicStic 1, 2, 3, and 4. Micromint’s part number is PicStic 1-2k, PicStic 2-2k, PicStic 3-2k, PicStic 4P-2k, PicStic 4Q-2k and PicStic 4X-2k.

Posted in Micromint | Print | 1 Comment »

5. September 2009 by admin.

Visit Microchip Technology at ESC Boston 2009Microchip Technology is offering a selection of FREE 40 minute technical training sessions in Booth 201 at ESC Boston 2009. Seating is limited, so sign up today for the sessions that interest you.This registration site is for Microchip’s Technical Training Classes ONLY. In order to attend one of these classes you must ALSO register for ESC Boston 2009 as an attendee or as an exhibitor.
To register for ESC Boston 2009, go to: http://esc-boston.techinsightsevents.com//

To register for one of these classes click here. 

 In-Booth Training Classes - Booth 201 

Ethernet Solutions   (Level: Intermediate) 
Ethernet’s capabilities and ubiquitous deployment make it unrivaled among communications standards. Embedded designers wishing to add this capability to their systems are often faced with challenges not found in the networking world. This class presents Microchip’s solutions to these challenges. Learn about cost-effective and easy-to-use wired Ethernet and WiFi solutions. Products, software and development tools for implementations using our stand-alone Ethernet controller, our family of microcontrollers with on-chip Ethernet controller and WiFi solutions will be discussed. 

Human Interface Solutions (Touch Sense and Graphics)   (Level: Introductory) 
In this session attendees will learn about the hardware and software solutions from Microchip that can help them easily integrate a touch solution into their next design. Whether to reduce cost and improve reliability through the elimination of buttons or provide a reconfigurable interface through the use of a graphical display, touch sensitive user interfaces are showing up everywhere. 

Innovations in 8-bit Microcontrollers   (Level: Introductory) 
Innovation is still taking place in the world of 8-bit microcontrollers. From architectural enhancements to low power designs to enhanced peripherals, 8-bit microcontrollers are being upgraded in many ways that can increase the performance and lower the cost of your designs. This session will highlight some of the recent advances in Microchip’s PIC® families of 8-bit microcontrollers and the benefits and advantages you can reap from them.Innovation is still taking place in the world of 8-bit microcontrollers. From architectural enhancements to low power designs to enhanced peripherals, 8-bit microcontrollers are being upgraded in many ways that can increase the performance and lower the cost of your designs. This session will highlight some of the recent advances in Microchip’s PIC® families of 8-bit microcontrollers and the benefits and advantages you can reap from them. 

nanoWatt XLP eXtreme Low Power Solutions   (Level: Introductory) 
Microchip’s eXtreme Low Power solutions can drive your battery applications for years longer than competing ultra low power MCUs. Learn more about microcontrollers with nanoWatt XLP technology – featuring the world’s lowest power in Sleep mode (down to 20 nA), along with an extreme low power Watchdog Timer and a unique hardware Real-Time Clock & Calendar that operate in the new Deep Sleep mode. This session will feature a live demo and cover: What is nanoWatt XLP Technology? How can applications benefit from nanoWatt XLP technology? Why are Microchip’s eXtreme Low Power offerings are better than competing MCUs? Which 8 & 16-bit MCUs feature nanoWatt XLP technology? How can I get started quickly with XLP technology? 

RF – ZigBee® and MiWi™ Solutions   (Level: Intermediate) 
Embedded engineers are increasingly being asked to add short-range, low cost point to point or networked wireless communication to their systems. This session will present two alternatives from Microchip to solve this problem: the interoperable ZigBee protocol and the proprietary MiWi protocol. Attendees will understand the differences between these two protocols and be shown the products and tools used to implement solutions. 

USB Solutions   (Level: Introductory) 
Serial Communications protocols like RS-232 are fast becoming obsolete for faster and more efficient protocols like USB. Embedded USB connectivity has its own challenges. This session helps embedded designers understand the challenges of using USB in their applications Attendees will learn about Microchip’s USB solutions for end point devices as well as Embedded Host applications. A demo will show the ease and simplicity of using Microchip’s USB solutions.

Posted in Tradeshows, Training & Education | Print | 1 Comment »

4. September 2009 by admin.

To trade in your old MPLAB ICD 2 and recieve a coupon for 25% off a new MPLAB ICD 3, MPLAB REAL ICE or PICkit 3 Debug Express, please complete this form. 

Posted in Uncategorized | Print | 1 Comment »

2. September 2009 by admin.

From http://www.tomchrane.com/Eight_Wk.html 

PIC® Midrange Microcontrollers
(8 weeks) Requires Development Board
The Best Way to Learn at Your Own 
Pace - Avoid Travel Expenses and lost 
Work Days! 
The Best Way to Learn!

Next Course Starts on
Sept 7th 2009

Posted in Uncategorized | Print | 1 Comment »