Date: 06/03/2009

8-bit direct LCD-drive microcontrollers with up to 128 KB Flash and 4 KB RAM

Microchip has released new PIC18F87J90 8-bit direct LCD-drive microcontrollers (MCUs). PIC18F87J90 feature 64 - 128 KB Flash and 4 KB RAM, and are the industry's first 8-bit MCUs to include a Real-Time Clock and Calendar (RTCC), and Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU) peripheral for capacitive touch sensing or precise time measurement. The PIC18F87J90 devices are pin compatible with Microchip's PIC18F85J90 devices.

The onboard LCD module contains a software-programmable contrast controller, which provides display boost or dimming and compensates for environmental elements such as temperature and lighting. The on-chip hardware RTCC is also active in sleep mode to enable real-time tracking and lower power consumption.

"Microchip's PIC18F87J90 MCUs expand our portfolio of cost-effective LCD products. For example, in electrical power meters, the extended memory, RTCC and multiple serial channels deliver a highly cost-effective feature set," said Mitch Obolsky, vice president of Microchip's Advanced Microcontroller Architecture Division. "These new MCUs offer a drop-in upgrade in features and memory to our popular low-cost PIC18F85J90 LCD family, serving a wide spectrum of applications."

The PIC18F87J90 MCUs are designed for cost-sensitive embedded display applications in the consumer (white goods, game controllers, exercise equipment, thermostat and counter top appliances); industrial (home-alarm/security-system keypads, power meters, data logging and central AC communication controllers); medical (flow meters, patient monitors, laboratory instruments and home-diagnostic devices); and automotive markets (dashboard and control panels).

Availability: Now in sample and volumes
Price: Starts at a price of each $2.58 in 10K pieces