With increased scaling in data collected and transmitted from cloud-connected edge nodes, Improved Interintegrated Circuit (I3C) is quickly becoming a more sustainable solution for interfacing sensors with a high data rate and will help expand features on next-generation devices.
Leading the way in I3C integration, Microchip Technology has released its PIC18-Q20 family of microcontrollers (MCUs), the industry's first low-pin-count MCUs with up to two I3C peripherals and multi-voltage I/O (MVIO).
Available in 14-pin and 20-pin packages as small as 3x3mm, PIC18-Q20 MCUs are a compact solution for real-time control, touch sensing and connectivity applications. MCUs offer configurable peripherals, advanced communications interfaces, and easy connection across multiple voltage domains without external components.
With I3C functionality, flexible peripherals, and the ability to operate in three independent voltage domains, PIC18-Q20 MCUs are suitable for use in conjunction with a primary MCU in a larger overall system. This family of MCUs can perform tasks such as sensor data processing, low-latency interrupt handling, and system status reporting that the main MCU cannot perform as efficiently.
While the central processing unit (CPU) operates in a different voltage domain, the I3C peripheral operates from 1.0 to 3.6V. These small form factor, low power MCUs can be used in a wide range of space-sensitive applications and markets, including automotive, industrial control, computing, consumer, IoT and medical.
“One of the main barriers to large-scale IoT adoption is the cost of implementing an edge node. With the PIC18-Q20 family of MCUs, Microchip is helping to break that barrier,” said Greg Robinson, corporate vice president of Microchip’s 8-bit MCU business unit. “By introducing the industry’s first low pin count MCU with I3C, we are enabling flexible and cost-effective scaling of IoT applications and adopting the new standard communications interface.”
