Due to the fragmented nature of the Internet of Things (IoT) market, increasing project complexity and cost, today’s developers face unprecedented challenges in making design decisions, resulting in extended development cycles, increased security threats, and ineffective solutions. Continuing to execute on its core strategy of smart, connected and secure systems, Microchip Technology Inc. today announced the launch of a cloud-based, turnkey, full-stack embedded development solution. From the smallest PIC and AVR microcontrollers (MCUs) for sensor and actuator devices, to the most complex 32-bit microcontroller (MCU) and microprocessor (MPU) gateway solutions for edge computing, Microchip’s new solutions It allows developers to leverage Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or narrowband 5G technologies to connect to any major core network and major cloud platforms, while providing a solid security foundation powered by Microchip’s Trust platform for the CryptoAuthentication family.

Six new members have been added to Microchip’s growing lineup of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. Its easier access to core, connectivity, security, development environment and debugging capabilities will help reduce project costs and development complexity:

PIC-IoT WA and AVR-IoT WA Development Boards: Two new PIC and AVR microcontroller development boards and a companion custom rapid prototyping tool, developed in partnership with AWS (Amazon Web Services), connect via Wi-Fi to AWS IoT Core (AWS IoT Core Platform) IoT sensor node.

AWS IoT Greengrass gateway solution: Based on the latest wireless system-on-Module (SOM), the ATSAMA5D27-WLSOM1 integrates the SAMA5D2 MPU, WILC3000 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combo module, which is fully powered by the MCP16502 high-performance power management IC (PMIC).

SAM-IoT WG: Connects Google Cloud IoT Core with Microchip’s 32-bit SAM-D21 ARM Cortex M0+ series microcontrollers, which are popular with customers.

IoT development platform based on Azure IoT SAM MCU: integrates the Azure IoT device SDK, Azure IoT services and Microchip’s MPLAB X development tool ecosystem.

PIC-BLE and AVR-BLE Development Boards: Two new PIC and AVR microcontroller development boards for sensor node devices that connect to the cloud and industrial, consumer and security applications via a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)-enabled gateway mobile device.

LTE-M/NB-IoT development kit: Adopt Sequans’ Monarch chip-based module, and utilize the latest low-power 5G cellular technology to achieve IoT node coverage.

Greg Robinson, assistant vice president of marketing for Microchip’s 8-bit Microcontroller Group, said: “Building on a broad range of tools and solutions, Microchip is helping the entire embedded control device and architecture industry quickly and easily develop secure IoT applications. Our latest partnership with Sequans leverages its 5G technology. At the same time, our partnership with Microsoft Azure strengthens our ability to develop innovative solutions.”

“We are delighted that Microchip is adding the Azure IoT SAM MCU-based IoT development platform to its lineup of IoT solutions,” said Sam George, corporate vice president of Azure IoT at Microsoft. “With Azure IoT Services and Microchip’s MPLAB X development tool ecosystem, Customers can easily build secure IoT devices and solutions that connect seamlessly to the Microsoft Azure cloud platform.”

Each solution focuses on ease of use and rapid development for smart industrial, medical, consumer, agricultural and retail applications while maintaining embedded system security. A wide variety of connectivity technologies, combined with the broad performance and peripheral capabilities of microcontrollers and microprocessors, make these solutions suitable for a variety of markets.

development tools

Microchip’s new IoT solutions build on the company’s vast ecosystem of development tools centered on the MPLAB X integrated development environment (IDE). Code generators such as MPLAB X Code Configurator (MCC) can quickly and automatically create and customize application code for the smallest PIC and AVR microcontrollers, and the Harmony software library supports all 32-bit microcontroller and microprocessor solutions.

PKOB Nano provides on-board and in-circuit programming and debugging capabilities, requiring only one USB cable to power, debug and communicate. Larger solutions are supported by general purpose programmers and debuggers such as MPLAB PICkit4 and MPLAB ICD 4. ATSAMA5D27-WLSOM1 comes with a set of free Linux distributions. By inserting Microchip patches into the Linux kernel, customers can get full support from the open source community, which is conducive to the development of high-quality solutions.

Availability and Pricing

Microchip’s new line of small sensor node development kits, IoT tools and solutions start at $29 each. Ordering part numbers include:

PIC-IoT WA development board for Wi-Fi connection to AWS IoT Core (AWS IoT Core Platform): EV54Y39A

AVR-IoT WA development board for Wi-Fi connection to AWS IoT Core (AWS IoT Core Platform): EV15R70A

· Wireless SOM based on SAMA5D27 and WILC3000, supporting AWS IoT Greengrass: ATSAMA5D27-WLSOM1

SAM-IoT WG: Available in Q2 2020

Azure IoT SAM Microcontroller (MCU): Available in Q2 2020

PIC-BLE development board for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity: DT100112

AVR-BLE development board for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection: DT100111

LTE-M/NB-IoT development kit: will be available in the third quarter of 2020