Microchip Technology Sets New Industry Standard for Integration and Migration with Compatible MPLAB® Toolchain for New PIC32 MCUs


32-bit MCU Family Launches With Complete MPLAB® IDE, Compiler and Emulation Support; Easy Migration Among 8-, 16- and 32-bit PIC® Microcontrollers

CHANDLER, Ariz., Nov. 5, 2007 [NASDAQ: MCHP] - Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced full MPLAB® development tool availability to support today's launch of the new PIC32 32-bit microcontroller family. The immediate availability of a broad and compatible suite of tools means that Microchip's current customers can easily make the transition from 8- and 16-bit microcontroller development to 32-bit development. At the same time, designers new to Microchip will find a highly integrated 32-bit toolchain that sets a new industry standard for integration and ease of use. PIC32 tool support is available today from the free MPLAB IDE version 8.0, the MPLAB C32 C compiler (including a free evaluation version), the MPLAB REAL ICE(TM) emulation system and the MPLAB ICD 2 in-circuit debugger.

"Since its founding, Microchip has provided embedded designers with one-stop shopping and technical support for development tools, software and microcontrollers," said Derek Carlson, Microchip's vice president of Development Tools. "As we near the 600,000th development system shipment, Microchip is extending the MPLAB toolsuite beyond our 8- and 16-bit portfolio into the high-performance 32-bit microcontroller market."

With 16 years of experience in the marketplace and full support for all PIC® microcontroller families, the MPLAB IDE is the tool of choice for the majority of Microchip's customers. The free MPLAB IDE supports the PIC32 family's advanced debugging features, such as hardware-based complex break points, trace debugging, as well as full project-management features for developing complex projects.

The MPLAB C32 C compiler (part # SW006015) is available now with a free Student Edition that supports 64 KB of compiled code, and a full edition that supports unlimited compiled code for $1,195. The MPLAB C32 is fully integrated with the MPLAB IDE and select third-party IDEs. The compiler package includes an ANSI C compiler, assembler, linker and peripheral libraries for the PIC32 family. The peripheral libraries are API compatible with the MPLAB C30 C compiler that is used with Microchip's 16-bit MCU and DSC families. The end result is highly optimized code for smaller, faster-running applications that are portable across Microchip's 16- and 32-bit portfolios.

The MPLAB REAL ICE emulation system (part # DV244005), available now for $ 499.98, supports the PIC32 family with full-speed real-time emulation, a stopwatch and logic I/O connections. Adding the MPLAB REAL ICE Trace Kit (part # AC244006), available now for $79.99, enables the MPLAB REAL ICE emulation system to capture trace data from the instruction trace port on the PIC32. This provides 32-bit designers with an affordable emulation and tracing solution for rapid application development and debugging.

With a full suite of compatible 32-bit development systems at launch, Microchip is providing embedded designers with everything needed to get started developing 32-bit microcontroller applications. For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative, or visit Microchip's Web site at www.microchip.com/PIC32.

Microchip Customer Support
Microchip is committed to supporting its customers by helping design engineers develop products faster and more efficiently. Customers can access four main service areas at www.microchip.com. The Support area provides a fast way to get questions answered; the Sample area offers free evaluation samples of any Microchip device; microchipDIRECT provides 24-hour pricing, ordering, inventory and credit for convenient purchasing of all Microchip devices and development tools; finally, the Training area educates customers through webinars, sign-ups for local seminar and workshop courses, and information about the annual MASTERs events held throughout the world.

About Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com.

Note: The Microchip name and logo, PIC, and MPLAB are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the USA and other countries. REAL ICE is a trademark of Microchip Technology Inc. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

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