Microchip Integrates and Simplifies Graphics on PIC24F Microcontrollers, Provides up to 96 KB RAM

This integration reduces system costs and makes it practical to add advanced graphics displays for a wide range of embedded applications, by eliminating the need for external RAM and a display controller. Additional savings are achieved through the integrated peripherals for USB and capacitive touch sensing. Microchip's PIC24FJ256DA family makes it feasible for designers to migrate beyond fixed-function, segmented LCDs to STN, TFT and OLED displays with up to VGA resolution. This family also features 24 channels of on-chip mTouch™ capacitive touch sensing, which enable a large number of buttons, sliders and keys. Additionally, the integrated Full-Speed USB Embedded Host, Device and On-the-Go module allows end users to easily upgrade software, log data and customise settings. Example applications for the PIC24FJ256DA family include: consumer (thermostats, cordless phones, remote controls, gaming accessories); home appliance (coffee makers, ovens, refrigerators, washing machines); industrial (points of sale, remote terminals); and portable medical (glucometers, blood-pressure monitors, portable ECGs). To enable quick time to market, Microchip's Graphics Display Design Centre provides a host of resources for application designers. This platform comprises Microchip's free and performance-optimized Graphics Library, which comes with the full source code, supports multiple fonts and languages, and includes a host of pre-made graphics objects. Complementing this Library is the free Graphics Display Designer software, which enables first-time users with a visual wizard for designing user interfaces. The Graphics Library also comes with pre-configured interfaces for capacitive-touch pads and sliders, and resistive touch screens. Rounding out this platform, Microchip created the PIC24FJ256DA210 Development Kit to enable out-of-the-box graphics development. This kit is available today for $399.99 (part No DV164039). For more information visit. www.microchip.com/Graphics