ther is a doctxt

Form: S-8

Initial registration statement for securities to be offered to employees pursuant to employee benefit plans

December 6, 2002

CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Published on December 6, 2002

Exhibit 23.1


CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on
Form S-8 pertaining to the Microchip Technology Incorporated Supplemental
Retirement Plan of our report dated April 24, 2002, except for Note 21 as to
which the date is May 22, 2002, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Microchip Technology Incorporated included in its Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2002, filed with the Securities Exchange
Commission.


/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Phoenix, Arizona
December 5, 2002