Microchip Technology Introduces Small Microcontroller Solutions for Intelligent Motor Control
Microchip Technology Inc. announced the PIC18F1330 and PIC18F1230 8-bit microcontrollers for basic, open-loop and low-end closed-loop motor control that is not algorithmically intensive. Additionally, these new microcontrollers address motor control applications where cost and space are primary design concerns, via the combination of a specialized PWM peripheral with up to six channels and 10 MIPS performance at 40 MHz in packages as small as 18 pins.
The PIC18F1330 family of microcontrollers provides engineers with a complete, cost-effective system solution for simple motor control designs that have limited available space and strict budgetary requirements. At the same time, these new microcontrollers provide an upward migration path from the general-purpose PIC16F microcontroller families and migration to the PIC18F4431 family for more sophisticated motor control applications.
The PIC18F1330 family provides electronic motor control of 3-phase ACIM VF motors, brushed dc motors, 3-phase BLDC motors and stepper motors. Specific motor control application examples include: Appliance (washers, dryers, refrigerators, vacuums); Commercial (low-end UPS, switch-mode power supplies, arena lighting, fiber-optic routing, power-bridge drivers, fuel pumps, dc-dc converters, smart fan controllers); Automotive (door and window lifts, mirrors, sunroofs, anti-pinch windows, garage-door openers, throttle control, smart fan controllers, windshield wipers, power seats).
The PIC18F1330 microcontrollers are supported by Microchip's development tools, including the no-cost MPLAB® IDE Integrated Development Environment, the MPLAB ICD 2 in-circuit debugger/programmer, the MPLAB C18 C compiler, the MPLAB VDI visual device initializer, and the Application Maestro™ software. Development board support is provided via the PIC18F1330 Daughter Card (part# AC162078) that plugs into both the PICDEM™ MC Motor Control Development Board (part# DM183011), available now for $299, and the PICDEM MC LV Motor Control Development Board (part# DM183021), available now for $129.99. Both feature a graphical user interface and were created specifically to support development of motor control applications with Microchip's PIC18 motor control families.
The PIC18F1330 and PIC18F1230 microcontrollers are available now for general sampling and volume-production orders in 18-pin PDIP and SOIC, 20-pin SSOP, and 28-pin 6x6 mm QFN packages, all of which are Pb-free and RoHS-compliant. Pricing starts at $2.00 each in 10,000 unit quantities.
