Microchip announces its enhanced mid-range 8-bit PIC microcontroller core (MCU) architecture supporting PIC12 and PIC16 MCUs, with feature and peripheral improvements including more program and data memory; a deeper/enhanced hardware stack; additional reset methods; 14 additional programming instructions, including "C" efficiency optimisations resulting in code size reductions; increased peripheral support; and reduced interrupt latency. The enhancements provide users with a performance boost of up to 50% and code-size reductions of up to 40% sated Microchip. Peripheral support includes Microchip’s mTouch module for touch-sensing user interfaces; LCD displays; multiple analogue-to-digital converters (ADCs) and pulse width modulation (PWM) modules; additional timers and analogue comparators.

Additional feature enhancements include increased memory support with program flash addressability up to 56 KB and data RAM up to 4 KB. With 14 additional instructions giving a total of 49 now, the enhanced core optimises program code and data handling, which reduces code space and increases efficiency with fewer clock cycles. It also provides the ability to migrate with minimal effort among existing mid-range PIC MCUs; as well as up or down with PIC12, PIC16 and PIC18 MCUs.

The first devices based upon the enhanced 8-bit Mid-range PIC MCU core are expected to roll out Calendar Q1 2009. Third-party compiler support for devices utilising the enhanced core will be provided by HI-TECH Software, CCS, microEngineering Labs and Byte Craft Limited.