Microchip Unveils 64-bit MPUs for Embedded Design

The latest MPUs from Microchip are specifically tailored to meet the demands of real-time, compute-intensive applications like smart embedded vision and machine learning. These cutting-edge technologies are driving the need for enhanced power-efficiency, hardware-level security, and high reliability at the edge.

By expanding its product offerings, Microchip aims to become a comprehensive single-vendor solution for MPUs. The new PIC64 family is designed to cater to a wide array of markets that require both real-time and application-class processing capabilities. The initial release, the PIC64GX MPUs, is set to revolutionize intelligent edge designs across various sectors including industrial, automotive, communications, IoT, aerospace, and defense.

According to Ganesh Moorthy, the CEO and President of Microchip Technology, "Microchip has long been a leader in 8-, 16-, and 32-bit embedded solutions. With the introduction of our 64-bit MPU portfolio, we are able to offer a comprehensive range of compute processing products to meet the evolving market demands. The PIC64GX is just the beginning of our 64-bit MPU lineup, aimed at supporting intelligent edge applications and addressing diverse performance requirements in all market segments."

The intelligent edge landscape often necessitates 64-bit heterogeneous compute solutions with asymmetric processing capabilities to handle Linux®, real-time operating systems, and bare metal applications within a single processor cluster. The PIC64GX family fulfills these requirements by incorporating a 64-bit RISC-V® quad-core processor with Asymmetric Multiprocessing (AMP) and deterministic latencies. This MPU is the first of its kind to offer AMP capability for mixed-criticality systems, featuring a quad-core CPU cluster, microcontroller class monitor, and 2 MB flexible L2 Cache running at 625 MHz.

Moreover, the PIC64GX family offers pin-compatibility with Microchip’s PolarFire® SoC FPGA devices, providing developers with a high degree of flexibility in creating embedded systems. The 64-bit portfolio will leverage Microchip’s user-friendly ecosystem of tools and software, empowering designers with a range of powerful processes for configuring, developing, debugging, and validating embedded designs.