Microchip's Bluetooth(R) Kit Provides Easy and Cost-Effective Method for Evaluating and Adding Bluetooth Connectivity to Embedded Designs

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In Combination with CandleDragon's Bluetooth Stack, Kit Enables Flexible Development with a Wide Range of 16/32-bit PIC(R) MCUs and dsPIC(R) DSCs

CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, today announced the Microchip Bluetooth(R) Evaluation Kit, which includes CandleDragon, Inc.'s dotstack(TM) demonstration Bluetooth Stack. The kit provides an easy, cost-effective and flexible add-on for embedded evaluation and development using many 16/32-bit PIC(R) microcontrollers or dsPIC(R) digital signal controllers (DSCs). To speed development and further reduce costs, the Microchip Bluetooth Kit works with the Company's existing tools.

While Bluetooth wireless technology is a common short-range protocol for PCs and consumer electronics, it is rapidly gaining popularity among a broader set of embedded applications. However, the current Bluetooth wireless technology modules are costly and inflexible because they force developers to use their predetermined baseband radio and microcontroller. Microchip and CandleDragon's Bluetooth solution enables designers to pair a wide range of radio ICs for Bluetooth connectivity with many of Microchip's 16/32-bit PIC microcontrollers or dsPIC DSCs. Additionally, CandleDragon's dotstack Bluetooth stack is Bluetooth SIG compliant and supports multiple profiles in a single microcontroller--including SPP, HFP and HID--with more profiles planned for Microchip's MCUs in the near future.

"Microchip makes it easy for our customers to cost-effectively evaluate and add Bluetooth wireless technology to their designs, with minimal development time and low risk," said Mitch Obolsky, vice president of Microchip's Advanced Microcontroller Architecture Division. "Our new Microchip Bluetooth Evaluation Kit, combined with CandleDragon's Bluetooth Stack, goes one step further in enabling embedded Bluetooth connectivity."

Pricing and Availability

CandleDragon's dotstack Bluetooth Stack is available today for free--for evaluation and development--via download from Microchip's Web site at: http://www.microchip.com/get/A0NT. Once the design goes into production, the stack licensing fee starts at $4,250 for 5,000 units.

Microchip's Bluetooth Evaluation Kit (part # DM183036) is also available today, for $109.99. It comes with the Microchip Bluetooth PICtail(TM) Plus Daughter Board, along with the 16-bit USB PIC24FJ256GB110 and 32-bit CAN/USB PIC32MX795F512L Microcontroller Plug-in Modules, both of which come pre-programmed with CandleDragon's dotstack Bluetooth demonstration stack and SPP profile. This kit is designed for use with Microchip's existing Explorer 16 Development Board (part # DM240001), available separately for $129.99.

For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site at http://www.microchip.com/get/TBXK.

About Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, 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/15BK.

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

High-res Photo Available Through Flickr or Editorial Contact (feel free to publish): http://www.microchip.com/get/BAK2

Tags / Keywords: Bluetooth, Embedded Bluetooth, Bluetooth Kit, Bluetooth Stack, PIC, Microcontroller, MCHP, Microchip

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    Source: Microchip Technology Inc.

Released January 31, 2011