On July ninth, 2024, Microchip Expertise introduced a brand new PIC64 portfolio, making them the primary single supplier of 8-, 16-, 32-, and 64-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) and microprocessors (MPUs). The PIC64 addresses the calls for of compute-intensive functions like embedded imaginative and prescient in industrial, automotive, communications, IoT, aerospace, and protection markets. The PIC64GX is the primary processor within the portfolio. It helps 64-bit Linux Working techniques and incorporates 5 RISC-V cores.
“The addition of our 64-bit MPU portfolio permits us to supply low-, mid- and high-range compute processing options.” — Ganesh Moorthy, CEO and President of Microchip Expertise
The PIC64GX1000 is the primary member of the PIC64 household. It boasts 4 U54 64-bit RISC-V CPU cores working as much as 625 MHz with L1 and L2 caches. The MPU helps as much as 32 GB of DDR4-1333 or LPDDR4-1333. Moreover, a fifth 64-bit E51 RISC-V CPU core acts as an built-in monitor processor.
Microchip says the PIC64GX MPU is the primary RISC-V multi-core answer that helps Deterministic Symmetric Multiprocessing (AMP) Linux Functions. This functionality allows a flexible mixture of Linux-based high-performance and real-time techniques.
PIC64GX block diagram (📷: Microchip)
The video subsystem has MIPI CSI-2 and HDMI 1.4 interfaces. Two MIPI CSI-2 lanes working at 1 Gbps present connections to cameras and sensors. The HDMI interface outputs at 720p decision. A video pipeline supplies a {hardware} Debayer filter and automated white stability.
The PIC64GX1000 incorporates typical microcontroller low-speed serial interfaces and high-speed interfaces like two Gigabit Ethernet ports and PCIe Gen 2. The PIC64GX household is pin-compatible with Microchip’s PolarFire SoC FPGA units, offering flexibility throughout a product’s growth lifecycle.
Microchip additionally introduced a PIC64 Excessive-Efficiency Spaceflight Computing (PIC64-HPSC) household that focuses on autonomous aerospace functions. These processors provide considerably increased computing functionality than present units whereas offering the radiation hardening and fault tolerance anticipated in a space-grade microprocessor.
You can begin with the brand new PIC64 processors utilizing Microchip’s PIC64GX Curiosity Analysis Package. Microchip says the kits can be found now, and Octopart exhibits the CURIOSITY-PICGX1000-KIT-ES worth as 150 USD.
Curiosity PICGX1000 Package (📷: Microchip)
These kits and PIC64 processors have growth assist in Microchip’s MPLAB® Extensions for VS Code. A number of embedded Linux distributions and Buildroot are additionally supported. Alternatively, Microchip additionally helps Zephyr RTOS (Actual-Time Working System)
Microchip says the primary buyer availability for the PIC64GX1000 might be in July 2024. Go to Microchip’s 64-bit MPU internet web page to study extra in regards to the PIC64 processors.