Microchip has released to market two new Flash PIC microcontrollers, the PIC18F2450 and PIC18F4450, with full USB 2.0 connectivity for 12 Mbps data-transfer rates, and 12 MIPS (48 MHz) processing performance. Combined with a wide variety of on-chip peripherals, nanoWatt technology power management, and self-programmable Flash memory, the company says that these features provide a complete solution for designers working with USB in industrial, medical and many other embedded applications.

Many USB-capable microcontrollers are optimised for applications in PC peripherals and consumer markets, rather than for embedded designs. Microchip's new USB PIC microcontroller family makes the benefits of full-speed USB available to a broader range of embedded applications that operate in harsh environments and only occasionally connect to personal computers. Some applications that may benefit from the USB PIC microcontrollers include industrial data-logging, timing and analysis tools; battery-powered handheld devices; and fire, security, home-automation and back-up (UPS) systems.

The two microcontrollers feature 16 KB of self-programmable enhanced Flash memory, which allows field upgrades for end applications via the USB port. This Flash technology provides endurance to 100 000 erase/write cycles and data retention of more than 40 years. The PIC18F2450 comes in 28-pin SOIC, SDIP and QFN while the PIC18F4450 comes in 40-pin DIP; 44-pin TQFP and QFN.

One area of concern for many USB-application designers is the quantity and quality of available firmware support. Microchip has a set of libraries for the most common application classes, including the human interface device (HID), communication device class (CDC) and custom drivers. A useful application note 'Migrating Applications to USB from RS-232 UART with Minimal Impact on PC Software' for migrating legacy serial applications is available from the company.