Microchip Announces ZigBee(R) RF4CE Protocol and XLP Compliant Platform for RF Remote Controls and Consumer Electronics

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Platform for Next-Generation RF Control of Consumer Electronics Consists of eXtreme Low Power Microcontrollers, Compliant Transceiver and Industry's Smallest Stack

CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced that it has achieved certification for its ZigBee(R) RF4CE Compliant Platform, which enables the next generation of RF remote controls and consumer electronics. The platform consists of Microchip's nanoWatt XLP eXtreme Low Power PIC(R) microcontrollers, the MRF24J40 IEEE 802.15.4 transceivers and FCC-certified modules, and the industry's smallest memory footprint ZigBee RF4CE certified protocol stack.

The consumer electronics industry is rapidly transitioning from infrared remote controls, which require line-of-sight operation and have limited range, to the more robust and versatile RF wireless technology. The ZigBee RF4CE protocol provides an industry standard for this transition, ensuring interoperability between OEM or aftermarket remote controls and consumer electronics, and facilitating interoperable communication among audio/visual entertainment equipment for an improved user experience.

"Microchip's RF4CE compliant platform provides the consumer electronics industry with a leading-edge implementation of the ZigBee Alliance's RF4CE protocol stack," said Steve Caldwell, director of Microchip's RF Products Division. "The RF4CE protocol running on Microchip's XLP families of PIC microcontrollers provides equipment designers with the world's lowest sleep currents, to maximize their product's battery life."

In addition to low power consumption, the compliant PIC XLP microcontrollers offer a wide range of integrated peripherals for capacitive touch sensing, USB and a host of analog functions. Free software is also provided to enable these peripherals, including Microchip's USB stacks and libraries, and mTouch(TM) sensing software. Together with its IEEE 802.15.4 compliant 2.4 GHz MRF24J40 transceiver and agency certified transceiver modules, Microchip provides a highly efficient, cost-effective platform for implementing the new RF4CE protocol in RF-enabled remote controls and equipment.

Microchip offers a wide range of tools for development with the PIC XLP microcontrollers, including the free MPLAB(R) IDE, the MPLAB REAL ICE(TM) emulation system, the MPLAB ICD 3 in-circuit debugger, the PICkit(TM) 3 low-cost debugger/programmer and Microchip's free C compilers. All of these tools are available today at http://www.microchip.com/get/V6RM.

Availability

Microchip's certified RF4CE protocol stack is currently available to Beta program participants, with general availability planned for March. The MRF24J40 transceiver and FCC certified modules are available today, as are the compliant families of PIC XLP microcontrollers. For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or visit Microchip's Web site at http://www.microchip.com/get/JGA5.

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 http://www.microchip.com/get/RXE7.

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

High-res Block Diagrams Available Through Flickr or Editorial Contact (feel free to publish): http://www.microchip.com/get/GQF0

Tags / Keywords: Wireless, ZigBee, RF4CE, RF, Radio Frequency, Remote Control, Consumer Electronics, Module, Microcontroller, Stack, Protocol, MCU

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    Source: Microchip Technology Inc.

Released December 14, 2009