Microchip Technology has announced the release of an entirely new generation of tinyAVR microcontrollers (MCUs), representing a landmark moment for the popular 8-bit AVR architecture and the broader embedded landscape. By introducing groundbreaking technologies like Core Independent Peripherals and enhancing tinyAVR capabilities through integrated analog/touch features, self-programming, and more, Microchip establishes a foundation for sustained innovation within its 8-bit portfolio going forward. With strong support through Atmel START and competitive pricing models, the new tinyAVRs inherit a robust ecosystem that promises to fuel vibrant growth across mainstream embedded applications for years to come.
Microchip’s timing for this launch also strategically coincides with the company fully integrating Atmel’s 8-bit assets, a critical step toward aligning roadmaps and expanding synergies between its PIC and AVR franchises. In re-energizing tinyAVR development post-merger, Microchip reaffirms a long-term commitment to AVR that existing and new customers can trust. By continuing to strengthen its industry-leading position within 8-bit MCUs, Microchip ensures PIC and AVR remain highly competitive for both mainstream and specialist 32-bit designs. Overall, the announcement propels Microchip to the forefront of the ongoing 8-bit resurgence as low-cost yet sophisticated embedded solutions increasingly fill key roles within modern IoT and industrial markets.
Core Independent Peripherals: Architectural Breakthrough for Optimization and Flexibility
Perhaps the most significant innovation introduced with the new tinyAVRs is the inclusion of Core Independent Peripherals – CIPs. By unlinking critical functions like analog, timers, and communication peripherals from the main processor core, CIPs empower a true system-level approach to embedded design. No longer are peripherals solely dependent on finite CPU resources; they can directly and concurrently interact with each other and external components without using precious MCU clock cycles.
This architectural breakthrough unlocks tremendous new potential for optimization. Developers gain flexible control over system bottlenecks without sacrificing speed or capability. Key benefits include vastly improved power profiles, as peripherals no longer consume power idling while awaiting CPU attention. Workloads can also now fully leverage parallelism between peripherals and core to maximize throughput. Overall system reliability increases as well since well-optimized peripherals reduce failure points reliant on a single CPU.
Taken together, CIPs represent a seminal advancement that fundamentally elevates the tinyAVR value proposition. Designers obtain degrees of customization, efficiency and real-time performance previously restricted to high-end platforms. Simple tasks offload seamlessly, freeing up the core for more complex processing. The integration sets a new standard for architecture that smaller companies will struggle to match – solidifying Microchip’s industry primacy.
Integration of Valuable Analog/Touch Peripherals
Beyond CIPs, Microchip imbues the tinyAVRs with a range of useful peripherals adapted from PIC MCU heritage. Chief among these is an onboard Peripheral Touch Controller capable of interfacing capacitive touchscreens and buttons with minimal CPU overhead. As touch technology proliferates rapidly across sectors like automotive, medical, and industrial HMI, its inclusion opens many new tiny AVR use cases.
The tinyAVRs also gain Event System support to synchronize peripheral activity without CPU intervention. Programmable logic blocks lend further customization for protocol translation, data formatting, and supplementary logic gates. 10-bit ADCs with integrated references excel for sensor interfacing, while 20MHz oscillator speed boosts processing muscle.
Perhaps most impactful though is an array of ultra-low power modes. TinyAVRs can sleep at infinitesimal currents under 100nA with SRAM retention – a critical metric as battery lifetime dictates practically all portable/wearable products. Combined with self-programming, sophisticated new classes of energy harvesting systems become feasible. The diverse peripheral integration empowers tinyAVR as a complete system-on-chip for broad embedded applications.
Comprehensive and Intuitive Development Ecosystem
To expedite design cycles, Microchip fortifies its ecosystem around the new tinyAVRs. Foremost is Atmel START – an innovative online IDE offering pre-configured software building blocks, drivers, and middleware. Its graphical interface abstracts complex configuration details, letting engineers focus on product differentiation. Atmel START dramatically shortens code development phases.
Complementing Atmel START, low-cost Xplained Mini evaluation kits provide a plug-and-play hardware sandbox. Compatibility with Arduino opens educational pathways. Extensive documentation and online resources further bolster the tinyAVR user experience. Microchip rightly recognizes strong software tooling as crucial to capturing mindshare – and its integrated approach eases customer burdens across disciplines.
The development infrastructure accentuates tinyAVRs’ disruptive value. Thanks to intuitive graphical tools, even non-embedded experts can harness advanced architectural features within days instead of months. Simplified prototyping gets innovative products to market significantly faster. Engineers also enjoy ongoing productivity boosts from consistent, centralized SDK maintenance by Microchip. Companies large and small benefit equally from lowered barriers to entry and simplified maintenance over product lifecycles.
Pricing and Packaging Advantages to Spur Mass Adoption
To maximize appeal across markets, Microchip structures tinyAVR pricing aggressively. Units sell in volume for a mere $0.43 – several times cheaper than competing offerings with comparable capabilities. Such affordability raises the tinyAVR addressable market well beyond cost-sensitive applications into mainstream embedded spaces.
Combining price leadership with diminutive footprints as small as 14 pins, Microchip furthers tinyAVR customizability. Designers gain flexibility in placing peripherals exactly where needed without sacrificing peripherals or performance. QFN and SOIC packages suit tiny AVR for even the most space-constrained wearables, IoT nodes, medical sensors, and more. The form factors epitomize tiny AVR ubiquity moving forward across embedded categories.
Microchip thus empowers disruptive business models through tiny AVR attributes. Low costs let startups viably target premium markets with differentiated features. Established brands can add intelligent interfaces throughout product lines economically. As 32-bit adoption grows, tinyAVR ensures 8-bit solutions thrive in high-volume niches where sophisticated yet affordable control remains optimal. Pricing and packaging collaboratively expand tinyAVR total addressable market to unprecedented scales.
Conclusion – A New Golden Age for 8-Bit Embedded Innovation
With the launch of this groundbreaking new generation, Microchip establishes tinyAVR as the flagship platform for 8-bit embedded innovation into the foreseeable future. By baking optimization directly into the architecture via CIPs and equipping the line with powerful analog/touch peripherals, tinyAVRs set a new bar. Complementing excellent engineering with comprehensive and intuitive development support as well as aggressive pricing transforms tinyAVRs into singular enablers of design possibilities across a limitless scope of applications.
Under Microchip stewardship, both AVR and PIC families enter a renaissance period as vibrant 8-bit ecosystems. Boasting industry-leading roadmaps and technical support, they remain premier choices even against swelling 32-bit adoption. Most importantly, tinyAVR’s introduction signifies Microchip’s unshakeable dedication to driving 8-bit technology forward through sustained investment – empowering countless innovators globally with accessible, customizable solutions for generations to come. With this release, a new golden age dawns for embedded differentiation at the intersection of sophistication and affordability.
In conclusion, Microchip’s launch of the new tinyAVR generation establishes the platform as a disruptive force propelling 8-bit expertise into new frontiers. By delivering architectural breakthroughs, compelling analog/touch features, robust tools, and extreme affordability, tinyAVRs inherit the right attributes to surge into mainstream industry adoption. Under Microchip shepherding, both PIC and AVR ecosystems enter a rejuvenated phase serving as springboards for differentiated innovation across diverse embedded verticals. The announcement sets the foundations for tinyAVRs and 8-bit solutions at large to flourish for many years to come.
FAQ
Q: What are the key features of the new tinyAVR MCUs?
A: The new tinyAVRs feature Core Independent Peripherals which allow peripherals like analog and communication components to operate independently of the CPU. They also integrate a touch controller, event system, programmable logic, self-programming ability, low power modes under 100nA, 10-bit ADCs, and more.
Q: How do Core Independent Peripherals improve the MCU design?
A: CIPs optimize power consumption and performance by offloading tasks from the CPU. Peripherals can run concurrently without CPU clock cycles, lowering power usage and boosting throughput. This increases system reliability by distributing workload across the chip.
Q: What software tools are provided?
A: Microchip offers Atmel START, a free online IDE with preconfigured software blocks, drivers, and middleware to simplify development. It provides a graphical interface for intuitive configuration. Evaluation kits and documentation also support the development process.
Q: What price and package options are available?
A: The tinyAVRs start from just $0.43 each in volume for 10k units. They come in compact 14-24 pin QFN and SOIC packages as small as 2x2mm, allowing flexible placement.
Q: What are some potential application areas for the tinyAVRs?
A: Their low power, small size, integrated features, and affordable pricing make the tinyAVRs well-suited for IoT nodes, industrial controls, medical sensors, portable electronics, wearables, automotive and more. Their touched capabilities also expand use cases.
Q: How long will Microchip support the tiny AVR line?
A: As the #1 8-bit MCU provider, Microchip is committed to ongoing tinyAVR development and has recently re-energized its AVR roadmap post-merger. Customers can rely on strong support for years to come as 32-bit progressively enters new markets.
Q: What development board is recommended for evaluation?
A: Microchip offers the low-cost $8.88 Xplained Mini kit with everything needed to start exploring the new devices’ features, including debug support and example code. It is a great cost-effective way to get started.
