Robotics Development Kit Announced by Digilent and Microchip Technology
PIC32-based Kit Targets Academia and Hobbyists; Comes With Integrated Programmer/Debugger and Free C Compiler
CHANDLER, Ariz., Sept. 14, 2009 [NASDAQ: MCHP] - Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced the availability of a PIC32 32-bit microcontroller (MCU)-based robotics development kit through Digilent Inc. Available for purchase today at www.digilentinc.com/microchip, the Digilent Cerebot(TM) 32MX4 Robotics Development Kit addresses the growing interest in robotics applications in the academic and hobbyist markets. The board that ships with the kit can control up to eight servos and three DC motors using Digilent PMOD(TM) H-bridge modules. The kit comes with a free version of Microchip's MPLAB C Compiler for PIC32 and an integrated programming/debugging circuit that is compatible with the free MPLAB® IDE.
The Cerebot 32MX4 board has numerous I/O connectors and power-supply options, including USB power, giving users the flexibility to utilize it for a variety of robotics applications. The onboard PIC32 MCU operates at 80 MHz, and features 512 Kbytes of FLASH program memory and 32 Kbytes of RAM memory; as well as numerous peripherals, such as a USB On-The-Go (OTG), host and device controller, timer/counters, serial-interface controllers, Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and more. The board inside the kit features two push buttons, four LEDs, eight connectors for RC servos and nine connectors for the Digilent PMOD peripheral modules, including H-bridges, ADCs, and Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs), speakers, switches, converters for easy connection to RS-232, servo motors and more. The built-in programming and debugging circuit eliminates the need for hobbyists and academia to purchase a separate debugger or programmer.
"The Cerebot 32MX4 is an ideal robot-control platform, and is designed to work with Digilent's Robotic Starter kit," said Clint Cole, president of Digilent Inc. "It's our latest entry in the fast-growing robotics engineering education market."
"Microchip's collaboration with Digilent is instrumental to our growth in the robotics and academic marketplaces," said Mitch Little, Microchip's vice president of worldwide sales. "Given Microchip's commitment to education and the growing trend in robotics, the Cerebot 32MX4 kit is an ideal, cost-effective, high-performance solution for academia around the globe."
Example applications for the Cerebot 32MX4 Robotics Kit include university robotics competitions, senior capstone projects, robotics workshops for educators, and numerous other academic and hobbyist projects.
Microchip Development Tool Support
The free versions of Microchip's MPLAB IDE and C Compiler for PIC32 can be downloaded from http://www.microchip.com/free.
Pricing & Availability
The Cerebot 32MX4 Robotics Development Kit (part # 32MX4) is available for purchase today, at www.digilentinc.com/microchip. Normally $79, the kit is being offered at a special introductory price of $59 for a limited time. For further information, visit Digilent's Web site at www.digilentinc.com/microchip, or contact Joe Harris at joe@digilentinc.com or 509-334-6306. More information is also available on Microchip's Web site, at http://www.microchip.com/get/400564781944444.
About Digilent Inc.
Digilent Inc. is a leader in the design, manufacture, and worldwide distribution of FPGA and microcontroller technologies. For more information, please visit Digilent's Web site www.digilentinc.com.
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, Ariz., Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at http://www.microchip.com/get/400587244907407.
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