01-05-2025 | Microchip Technology | Semiconductors
Devices developed for capturing rapidly changing analog signals must respond quickly while consuming minimal power, particularly in battery-operated applications. Microchip Technology has released the PIC16F17576 MCU product family with integrated low-power peripherals and the ability to measure volatile analog signals to manage these demands precisely.
These MCUs feature a new low-power comparator and voltage reference combination that can operate while the MCU core is in sleep mode, permitting for continuous analog measurement while consuming less than 3µA of current. The Analog Peripheral Manager (APM) controls which peripherals are active to minimise total energy consumption and facilitate battery-operated applications to monitor signals effectively without excessive power drain.
Engineered for applications that measure volatile analog signals, the MCUs include op amps with software-controlled gain ladders. This feature enables a single op amp to switch between multiple gain options, helping mitigate noise while maintaining precision and power efficiency. With up to four op amps and a 12-bit differential ADC with automated averaging, the MCUs allow precise signal measurement over a wide range of inputs.
“Sensor systems can quickly become complex, often requiring multiple analog components that add board size, cost and power draw,” said Greg Robinson, corporate vice president of Microchip’s MCU business unit. “With the integrated analog features in our low-power PIC16F17576 MCUs, we’re cutting that complexity. You can eliminate parts and reduce power consumption, cutting costs and simplifying the overall design process.”
PIC16F17576 MCUs are ideal for measuring analog signals in several industries, including environmental and industrial monitoring, smart home and building automation. Key applications include vibration and strain measurement, flow metering, gas detection, cold asset tracking and motion sensing.
