Microchip Technology, a provider of microcontroller (MCU), mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, has released a new generation of 8-bit tinyAVR MCUs. The four devices range from 14 to 24 pins and 4 KB to 8 KB of Flash and are the first tinyAVR microcontrollers to feature Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs). The devices will be supported by START, an online tool for graphical configuration of embedded software projects.

The ATtiny817/816/814/417 devices provide features to help drive product innovation including low pin count and packaging in 4 KB or 8 KB of Flash memory. Other integrated features include: a CIP called Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC); Event System for peripheral co-operation; programmable logic blocks; self-programming for firmware upgrades; non-volatile data storage; 20 MHz internal oscillator; serial communication with USART; operating voltages ranging from 1.8 V to 5.5 V; 10-bit ADC with internal voltage references; and sleep currents at less than 100 nA in power down mode with SRAM retention.

CIPs allow the peripherals to operate independently of the core; including serial communication and analog peripherals. Together with the Event System, that allows peripherals to communicate without using the CPU, applications can be optimised at a system level. This lowers power consumption and increases throughput and system reliability.

Accompanying the release of the four new devices, Microchip is adding support for the new AVR family in START, the online tool to configure software components and tailor embedded applications. This tool is free of charge and offers an optimised framework that allows the user to focus on adding differentiating features to their application.