Microchip Technology Inc has expanded its enhanced core 16-bit dsPIC33 and PIC24 "E" Digital Signal Controller (DSC) and microcontroller (MCU) families to include on-chip op amps and Microchip's Charge Time Measurement Unit peripheral (CTMU), enabling advanced features in user interface, intelligent-sensing, general purpose and motor control applications at a low cost. The new devices are pin-compatible with existing 16-bit dsPIC33 and PIC24 products for easy migration, and are available in multiple package options, including the new, ultra small 5 mm x 5 mm 36-pin VTLA package.

With 70 MIPS of DSP performance and a 6-channel Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) peripheral, the dsPIC33 and PIC24 "E" devices provide advanced motor control and high-speed application execution. This results in more efficient, smaller and lower-cost designs, as a single DSC or MCU can be used to control the entire system. The on-chip op amps can be used in a variety of sensing applications where signal conditioning is needed, and reduce the need for external components, helping to reduce overall design cost and size. The CTMU peripheral, used in mTouch™ capacitive touch-sensing, simplifies the addition of innovative and reliable user interfaces, including keypads, buttons and sliders.