Code Examples from Microchip

20. April 2010 by admin.

See them all at: http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1408

Posted in Code Examples, 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit | 1 Comment »

Free Battery Life Estimator

18. April 2010 by admin.

From http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=2680&dDocName=en545243

Looking for a tool to estimate the battery life for your embedded application? Download the XLP Battery Life Estimator software utility today!

The XLP Battery Life Estimator is a free software utility to aid you in developing eXtreme Low Power applications with Microchip’s PIC MCUs featuring XLP technology. The tool estimates average current consumption and battery life. The utility allows users to select the target device, battery type, the application’s operating conditions (such as voltage and temperature) and finally model the active and power-down times for their applications. The tool comes pre-loaded with specifications of Microchip’s PIC MCUs featuring nanoWatt XLP technology and commonly used batteries in embedded applications. Users can also create additional profiles for a custom battery of their choice, if necessary.

XLP Battery Life Estimator Beta version Features
● Profile your application RUN & SLEEP time (duty cycle)
● Select operating temperature and operating voltage
● Pre-loaded with electrical specifications of all PIC^® MCUs featuring XLP technology 
● Pre-loaded with most common battery specifications
● Customizable to allow you to add other battery and peripheral device profiles and specifications

Posted in Battery Power, Low Power | 1 Comment »

Free Technical Training Class

16. April 2010 by admin.

Microchip’s Regional Training Centers (RTCs) offer a variety of highly targeted design topics that can help you add functionality to your current applications and take full advantage of new or unfamiliar device peripherals. These classes can help you keep current in the competitive world of embedded control and stay ahead of industry trends and design techniques. The class sizes allow plenty of time for one-on-one interaction with the expert instructors.  Free RTC class coupon details: Coupon Number: NA39rMSDC$

This coupon is good for registration fees for one

Microchip

Regional

Training

Center course held in

North America between March 15th, 2010 and December 31st, 2010.

Instructions for UseGo to www.microchip.com/RTCLocate the course you wish to attend.Logon and add the course to the system “Shopping Cart”.At check-out select the “MODIFY CART” button before placing the order.Enter discount coupon code and select “APPLY COUPON” (this will waive course registration fee).Proceed with checkout.Present this coupon to the instructor at the start of class (No reproductions).RestrictionsNot valid for TLS2101 “Introduction to the C Programming for Embedded Engineers”.Valid only for publicly held RTC courses in North American including courses held at third party partner facilities.Valid only for courses held from March 15th, 2010 to December 31, 2010.One use per person. Original coupon must be surrendered to Training Engineer at start of course. Fee waived for registration only. Standard RTC discounts for tools apply. Not Valid for RTC courses conducted on customer premises.

Posted in Regional Training Centers, Training & Education, Microchip | 1 Comment »

Free Samples from Future Electronics

11. April 2010 by admin.

Found on Twitter:

Follow this link to see if you qualify for free samples from Future. http://bit.ly/c5Ijgn 

Posted in Future Electronics, Samples, Free Stuff | 1 Comment »

Free ZigBee for PIC18, PIC24

10. April 2010 by admin.

Microchip offers a free ZigBee® software protocol stack, enabling lower development and system costs. With its ZigBee compliant platforms, the Microchip stack is written to meet the ZigBee industry standard and ensure interoperability. Embedded system designers can now utilize Microchip’s Free downloadable ZigBee Stack in concert with the Microchip MRF24J40/MRF24J40MA and PIC^® microcontrollers:-       Zero-cost-license and royalty-free ZigBee protocol stack.-       Efficient footprint for entire ZigBee protocol-       Source-code format, allowing designers to customize their products-       Utilize Microchip’s broad portfolio of compatible PIC^® microcontrollers

Posted in Wireless, Software Stack, 8-bit, ZigBee, 16-bit | 1 Comment »

Student Discount for Microchip PIC Workshop from Cytron Technologies

8. April 2010 by admin.

From: http://blog.cytron.com.my/?p=1736

Yes, we decided to lauch student discount for Microchip PIC Microcontroller Workshop. To apply this discount, you will need to email following information to our support department at support@cytron.com.my:

1. Student name:
2. Student contact:
3. Student email address:
4. Student matrix number:
5. Uni/College/Poli:
6. Lecturer name: (to verify student status)
7. Lecturer contact:
8. Lecturer email address:

Once we have verified your student status, we will send a discount voucher for training to your email. You will need to use it through our online purchase system to redeem it.

Posted in Cytron Technologies, Training & Education, Academic Discount | 1 Comment »

Sweet! PIC microcontroller-based Development Platforms for iPod and iPhone!!!!!

5. April 2010 by admin.

I do’t normall repurpose press releases, but between this Apple and the Google PowerMeter announcement, this is pretty cool!

Microchip Enables Easy Development of Accessories for iPod and iPhone With Kits and SoftwareDevelopment Kits Speed Accessory Designs for iPod and iPhone Using 8-, 16- and 32-bit PIC^® Microcontrollers 

Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, announced three development kits that enable the rapid design of accessories for iPod and iPhone using Microchip’s vast portfolio of PIC^® microcontrollers. The kits provide examples of the hardware and software required to implement applications, such as digital-audio sound systems, docking stations and a multitude of new accessories that can leverage the infrastructure for iPod and iPhone. 

High-res Photos Available Through Flickr or Editorial Contact: http://www.microchip.com/get/764K“Microchip’s development kits help designers of accessories for iPod and iPhone bring innovative products to market faster,” said Mitch Obolsky, vice president of Microchip’s Advanced Microcontroller Architecture Division. “With thousands of potential new applications for iPod and iPhone, these kits simplify the entire process for developers.”
Designers who take advantage of these tools will find that they can easily tap into Microchip’s portfolio of more than 650 8-, 16- and 32-bit microcontrollers. The PIC MCU family includes nanoWatt XLP Technology for the world’s lowest power consumption, enabling longer battery life. Additionally, a host of integrated analog and digital peripherals enable the design of differentiated accessories. All PIC microcontrollers are supported with the unified MPLAB^® Integrated Development Environment to ease migration between different devices.
Microchip also provides a no-cost-license software library to support the development of accessories for iPod and iPhone. The library allows designers to easily interface their application with iPod or iPhone, which speeds time to market for their end-products.For more information on Microchip’s development kits, visit: http://www.microchip.com/get/T7DV.
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 theMicrochip website (http://www.microchip.com/get/D7E4).

Posted in Apple, Development Tool | 2 Comments »

Free Graphics Display Designer Software

3. April 2010 by admin.

From http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=2680&dDocName=en544475

The Microchip Graphics Display Designer (GDD) is an MPLAB IDE plug-in and a visual design tool that provides customers with a quick and easy way of creating graphical user interface (GUI) screens for embedded applications on Microchip MCUs. The GDD is a design tool created for use with the Microchip Graphics Library.

For customers who are familiar with MPLAB IE, PIC MCUs, Microchip Graphics Library and MPLAB C Compilers, the GDD simplifies coding for the GUI screens. Customers can draw, move, resize, and delete screen objects, create multiple static screens, assign an LCD controller, select graphics-related configurations, and generate output source files. These source files can be compiled with the Microchip Graphics Library using the Microchip C compilers for PIC24, dsPIC and PIC32 MCUs.

GDD eliminates the need to manually calculate the X/Y coordinates for on-screen object placements. Nearly all the graphical objects (widgets) from the Microchip Graphics Library are supported in GDD.

GDD provides “what you see is what you get” results by using the same rendering code from the Microchip Graphics Library to draw objects on the PC screen. This guarantees that what you see on the PC screen is what you get on the target embedded screen.

Graphical resources can be imported into GDD for application development, including custom fonts and bitmap images. Various Microchip Graphics Library configuration settings can be set in GDD, including display resolution, color depth, LCD driver, etc. Code generation feature generates ANSI C code for PIC24, dsPIC and PIC32 MCUs. The code generated by this plug-in can be compiled with source files from the Microchip Graphics Library developed for Microchip’s PIC24, dsPIC and PIC32 MCUs.

Advanced users still have the option to call APIs from the Microchip Graphics Library directly without using GDD. This provides a finer control over the flow and behavior of the application.

Released version: 2.0.0.9c – Supports Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 (dated 09/17/09)

The GDD v2.0.0.9c works with Graphics Library v1.75b only, and not with the newer Graphics Library v2.00 or later.

To download Graphics Library v1.75b, click here to download.

Posted in Software, Graphics, Free Stuff | 1 Comment »

Win a Microchip PICDEM Touch Sense 1 Development Kit

1. April 2010 by admin.

From: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2010/win_a_picdem_kit.htm

Entries are invited in the 2010 construction competition which this year is a competition with a difference.

The SA Amateur Radio Development Trust is looking for an innovative approach to a construction project that has application in Amateur Radio but based on microchip technology.

Stage one is the paper design stage. Develop a project of your choice using a microchip and submit a short write up of the project including a circuit diagram and description of operation. The closing date for stage one is 9 April 2010.

Three entries, which in the opinion of the judges are the most original coupled with their usefulness in Amateur Radio, will receive R500 to build a proto-type for entry into the second stage of the competition.

The second stage entry is a complete proto-type entry and must be suitably packaged and operating. This entry must be accompanied by all the necessary paperwork as well as an article with circuit diagram and other necessary illustrations for publishing in Radio ZS.

The winning entry in stage two will be awarded the Microchip PICDEM Touch Sense 1 Development Kit plus an ARRL handbook. The two runner-ups will each receive an ARRL Handbook. The closing date for stage 2 is 10 May 2010.

The winner will be presented with the prize at a gala lunch on 17 May 2010 at the Midrand Protea Hotel.

Get all the details on www.amateurradio.org.za.

Posted in Touch Sense, 8-bit, Contest, Development Tool | 1 Comment »