Today, Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, and Digilent, Inc., announced the jointly developed chipKIT uC32 open-source development platform, which is based on Microchip's 32-bit PIC32 microcontroller and chipKIT Wi-Fi Shield. Digilent's chipKIT uC32 development board has the same form factor as its chipKIT Uno32 board, with the addition of a larger memory (512 KB Flash and up to 32 KB RAM). The uC32 board provides the user with a single, general-purpose development platform to create a wide range of 32-bit MCU-based applications using the free, Arduino compatible chipKIT IDE (called the Multi-Platform IDE, or "MPIDE"). Digilent's chipKIT Wi-Fi shield enables the user to implement wireless projects into the chipKIT line of microcontroller boards, such as the new uC32 or existing Uno32 and Max32 boards.
Introduced in May 2011, the PIC32 MCU-based chipKIT platforms have enabled hobbyists as well as academics without an engineering background to add electronics to their projects easily and inexpensively. The chipKIT uC32 board includes Microchip's PIC32MX340F512H microcontroller, featuring 105 DMIPS performance, 512 KB flash, 32 KB SRAM and 42 I/O pins that support a number of peripheral functions, such as UART, SPI and I2C ports and pulse-width-modulated outputs. Twelve of the PIC32's I/O pins can be used as analog inputs or digital inputs and outputs.
Digilent's chipKIT Wi-Fi Shield makes use of Microchip's agency-certified MRF24WB0MA Wi-Fi module, and provides chipKIT microcontroller boards with the ability to communicate via IEEE 802.11 compatible wireless networks. The Wi-Fi shield is equipped with a microSD card connector in order to use microSD flash memory cards. The chipKIT MPIDE SD library can be used to read/write files stored on the microSD card.
"We're very impressed with the quality and utility of the latest chipKIT development boards from Digilent and the robust application libraries the company provides for the user community," said Derek Carlson, Microchip's vice president of Development Tools.
"The growing popularity of our chipKIT line drives us to create more state-of-the-art products for people with or without electronic-engineering backgrounds, to easily integrate electronics into their projects," said Clint Cole, president of Digilent, Inc. "Through the addition of our chipKIT uC32 and Wi-Fi shield, the user has the ability to build a wide range of embedded-system projects with Wi-Fi functionality."
The MPIDE also makes it easy for new developers to introduce their own compatible chipKIT boards. The MPIDE includes libraries, such as the SoftPWMServo library developed by Brian Schmalz, which enables the user to generate an analogWrite-style output, as well as an RC Servo output on all pins simultaneously.
About Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at http://www.microchip.com/
About Digilent
Digilent is an industry leader in providing academic and research solutions in high-end electronics. Over 1,000 universities, training centers, and research laboratories in more than 70 countries use Digilent products and services. Digilent also provides design and manufacturing services for many leading technology companies including Xilinx, Cypress Semiconductor, and National Instruments.
Corporate headquarters are in Pullman, Washington with satellite offices in China, Romania, and Taiwan.
Introduced in May 2011, the PIC32 MCU-based chipKIT platforms have enabled hobbyists as well as academics without an engineering background to add electronics to their projects easily and inexpensively. The chipKIT uC32 board includes Microchip's PIC32MX340F512H microcontroller, featuring 105 DMIPS performance, 512 KB flash, 32 KB SRAM and 42 I/O pins that support a number of peripheral functions, such as UART, SPI and I2C ports and pulse-width-modulated outputs. Twelve of the PIC32's I/O pins can be used as analog inputs or digital inputs and outputs.
Digilent's chipKIT Wi-Fi Shield makes use of Microchip's agency-certified MRF24WB0MA Wi-Fi module, and provides chipKIT microcontroller boards with the ability to communicate via IEEE 802.11 compatible wireless networks. The Wi-Fi shield is equipped with a microSD card connector in order to use microSD flash memory cards. The chipKIT MPIDE SD library can be used to read/write files stored on the microSD card.
"We're very impressed with the quality and utility of the latest chipKIT development boards from Digilent and the robust application libraries the company provides for the user community," said Derek Carlson, Microchip's vice president of Development Tools.
"The growing popularity of our chipKIT line drives us to create more state-of-the-art products for people with or without electronic-engineering backgrounds, to easily integrate electronics into their projects," said Clint Cole, president of Digilent, Inc. "Through the addition of our chipKIT uC32 and Wi-Fi shield, the user has the ability to build a wide range of embedded-system projects with Wi-Fi functionality."
The MPIDE also makes it easy for new developers to introduce their own compatible chipKIT boards. The MPIDE includes libraries, such as the SoftPWMServo library developed by Brian Schmalz, which enables the user to generate an analogWrite-style output, as well as an RC Servo output on all pins simultaneously.
About Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at http://www.microchip.com/
About Digilent
Digilent is an industry leader in providing academic and research solutions in high-end electronics. Over 1,000 universities, training centers, and research laboratories in more than 70 countries use Digilent products and services. Digilent also provides design and manufacturing services for many leading technology companies including Xilinx, Cypress Semiconductor, and National Instruments.
Corporate headquarters are in Pullman, Washington with satellite offices in China, Romania, and Taiwan.
