Microchip Technology Enables Digital Signal Processing on the 32-bit PIC32 MCU Family Via Free High-Performanc

Microchip Technology Enables Digital Signal Processing on the 32-bit PIC32 MCU Family Via Free High-Performance DSP Library

Optimized DSP Library Added to MPLAB® C Compiler for PIC32 MCUs; Enables 22% Increase in Fast Fourier Transform Speeds

CHANDLER, Ariz., April 6, 2009 [NASDAQ: MCHP] — Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced that embedded designers can now combine digital signal processing and MCU control code with the 32-bit PIC32 microcontroller family, using its no-cost, royalty-free High Performance DSP Library. This new library, which was added to the MPLAB® C Compiler for PIC32 MCUs at no additional cost, can execute a 256-point, 16-bit RADIX-2 Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) in 283 microseconds, which is approximately 22% faster than Microchip’s previous PIC32 DSP Library. A free evaluation version of this C Compiler, with included DSP Library, can be downloaded today at http://www.microchip.com/c32.

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Many embedded designers want to add base DSP capabilities—such as speech processing—to their 32-bit MCU applications, without incurring the cost of a DSP component. Microchip’s new DSP Library enables these capabilities by taking advantage of the highly optimized hardware features inside the PIC32 MCU, including its multiply-accumulate, math unit with parallel execution, and two full sets of CPU registers. Additionally, this DSP Library’s use of a RADIX-2 based FFT provides more options for sample size than the RADIX-4 designs used by competitors; the PIC32 DSP Library allows users to select from the common 64-, 128-, 256-, 512- and 1024-point FFTs, as well as other sizes. Microchip’s DSP Library also includes support for 32-bit FFTs, a feature not well supported by other MCU vendors.

“The free DSP Library in the Microchip C Compiler, combined with the industry’s highest-performing 32-bit MCU core, gives designers a single, low-cost and highly efficient platform for both control and signal-processing code,” said Derek Carlson, Microchip’s vice president of Development Tools.

The PIC32 DSP Library’s functions are C callable, so no Assembly coding is required. Users of Microchip’s dsPIC® digital signal controller families can easily migrate code to any PIC32 MCU, using a set of APIs that are compatible with the MPLAB C Compiler for dsPIC DSCs. Other key functions of the new PIC32 DSP Library include:

• 16- and 32-bit Vector Math

• Finite Impulse Response (FIR), Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) and Least Mean Squares (LMS) Filters

• 16- and 32-bit Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs)

Pricing and Availability

The free evaluation version of the MPLAB C Compiler for PIC32 MCUs, with the new PIC32 DSP Library, can be downloaded today at http://www.microchip.com/c32. To purchase the $895, Full version of this C Complier, which retains all optimization levels after the 60-day evaluation period, please visit http://www.microchipdirect.com and search for part number SW006015.

For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip’s Web site at http://www.microchip.com/pic32.

Microchip Customer Support

Microchip is committed to supporting its customers by helping design engineers develop products faster and more efficiently. Customers can access four main service areas at http://www.microchip.com. The Support area provides a fast way to get questions answered; the Sample area offers evaluation samples of any Microchip device; microchipDIRECT provides 24-hour pricing, ordering, inventory and credit for convenient purchasing of all Microchip devices and development tools; finally, the Training area educates customers through webinars, sign-ups for local seminar and workshop courses, and information about the annual MASTERs events held throughout the world.

About Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, 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.

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Note: The Microchip name and logo, PIC, dsPIC, and MPLAB are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the USA and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

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