Microprocessors and DSPs More on new 32bit PICs from Microchip

Microprocessors and DSPs More on new 32bit PICs from Microchip

2013/11/19

Microchip doubled the throughput and quadrupled the memory of its 32bit PIC family, and release a tool which brings third-party firmware into the firm’s integrated development environment (IDE), as well as adding new peripherals.

Most of the up-grade has come from replacing the original MIPS M4K CPU, as used in the most recently announced PIC32MX family, with a MIPS microAptiv core, creating what will be known as the PIC32MZ family. http://www.microchip.com/get/ESJG

Performance is 330Dmips (at 200MHz) and 3.28CoreMarks/MHz – the former giving 1.65Dmips/MHz, which is the same Dmips/MHz and CoreMarks/MHz as the M4K.

The difference is that the older MX family did not have cache and could only run at 100MHz, while Microchip has selected the with-cache flavour of microAptive.

“We have chosen the cache option, and a pretty large size cache. You can lose some predictability, but the overall performance is greatly improved. It’s definitely worth it,” company product marketing manager Bill Hutchings told Electronics Weekly. “The M4K and the microAptiv core offer the same performance efficiency in 32bit mode of operation, termed MIPS32 mode, so that is why the Dmips/MHz numbers are the same. The microAptiv core offers additional capability such as the cache which enables the higher clocking frequency by providing instructions and data that can be accessed at full rate.“

As well as running in MIPS32 mode for legacy code, the microAptive core can also execute the 16/32bit microMIPS instruction set – originally introduced by MIPS to improve code density in the MK14, a later core than the MK4.

The older MK4 also offered a 16bit mode, called MIPS16e ASE (application specific extension).

“MicroAptiv offers the microMIPS instruction set which has a code density similar to MIPS16, but at near full rate execution: 1.57Dmips/MHz,“ said Hutchings. “PIC32MX devices [M4K] can have similar code density when operating in MIPS16 mode, but performance efficiency is impacted.”

Producing microMIPS code takes the same effort as producing MIPS32 code.

“Most people will use microMIPS mode. It’s completely transparent to the user, just flick a switch in compiler and it will start generating microMIPS,” said Hutchings.

DSP

All MZ parts get microAptive’s DSP engine, with four 64bit accumulators, single-cycle MAC, and saturating and fractional maths.

“Streaming and digital audio applications can take advantage of this family’s 159 DSP instructions, large memory, peripherals such as I2S, and available software,” said Microchip.

Memory is now up to 2Mbyte flash and 512kbyte RAM, and live up-date is available where the chips will run from one 1Mbyte flash panel at full speed while the other 1Mbyte us being up-dated.

Peripherals will include a 28Msample/s ADC (up to 48 channel, up to 12bit), crypto-engine, 480Mbit/s USB, 10/100 Ethernet, CANbus and SQI for flash chips.

This is the first PIC with 480Mbit/s USB. Previously they have all implemented 12MHz USB, said Hutchings, and it is the first PIC with SQI.

Cryptography

Hardware crypto is also new for Microchip. Previously it offered software routines for cryptography.

“We have a lot of customers using encryption. End-to-end security is becoming a big deal,” said Hutchings. “With the Internet-of-things, you want a secure socket layer. For example, with remote meter reading, our microcontroller would typically be used in a data concentrator, and you would want a secure link between the concentrator and the meter.”

A random number generator is included and the engine can handle encryption, decryption and authentication for standards including AES, 3DES, SHA, MD5, and HMAC.

Display driving has been enhanced. “The PIC32MZ is quite adept on graphics. Some of them can drive a WQVGA without an external graphics controller, and have all memory on-board including the frame buffer, as well as EBI PMP [parallel] bus to drive the display directly,” said Hutchings.

To modify pin-out, there is a cross-bar witch to reconfigure I/O.

This said, there is no pin-for-pin upgrade path from PIC32MX processors to make use of the extra speed, and larger memory of MZ. “You would need a new circuit board to go from MX to MZ,” said Hutchings.

Harmony software tool

To increase the productivity of software teams, particularly when integrating functional code blocks, the firm has introduced a firmware tool called Harmony, which sits under MPLAB IDE, and can be downloaded from the firm’s website.

Within it, to minimise the chance of incompatibility, blocks are designed to communicate with the RTOS through a controlled abstraction layer and, according Hutchings, many combinations of blocks are pre-tested. “Anything you can do to simplify and speed software development is greatly appreciated,” he said.

Dedicated to its 32bit parts, “this framework is the first to integrate the licensing, resale and support of Microchip and third-party middleware, drivers, libraries and real-time operating systems”, said Microchip. “Currently, Harmony includes third-party offerings from Interniche, freeRTOS, wolfSSL and OpenRTOS, with more on the way.  The result is that developers can simplify their PIC32 MCU code development process by reducing common integration bugs.”

Most modules and the base framework are free, said Hutchings, then there are premium modules.

Some premium modules are purchased through Microchip and get support from Microchip. Others are bought from the original supplier. “There are different license models depending on what the customer wants to do,” said Hutchings.

Development boards

For those wanting to get their hands on some hardware today, there are some development boards:

PIC32MZ EC Starter Kit comes in two versions to support family members with the integrated crypto engine (DM320006C) and those without (DM320006).

Multimedia Expansion Board II (DM320005-2) can be used with either starter kit to develop graphics, human-machine interface, connectivity and audio applications.

The 168pin to132pin Starter Kit Adapter (AC320006) enables development with the firm’s portfolio of application-specific daughter boards.

PIC32MZ2048EC Plug-in Module (MA320012) is available for existing users of the Explorer 16 Modular Development Board.

Sampling and production of the first 12 MZ PICs are expected in December. The remaining 12, and additional package options, are expected up to May 2014.

Packages include: 64pin QFN and TQFP; 100pin TQFP; 124pin VTLA; 144pin TQFP 144pin LQFP.

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