Microchip Technology has reported results for the three months and fiscal year ended 31st March 2015 as summarised in the following table:

Microchip Technology and Micrel have announced that Microchip has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Micrel for $14.00 per share. Micrel shareholders may elect to receive the purchase price in either cash or shares of Microchip common stock. The acquisition price represents a total equity value of about $839m, and a total enterprise value of about $744m, after excluding Micrel’s cash and investments on its balance sheet of approximate...

A look at the design and PCB layout techniques that can optimise system performance for capacitive touch sensor devices. By Microchip Technology.

  Microchip Technology has reclaimed the number-one position in worldwide 8-bit MCU revenue, according to industry analyst firm Gartner’s recently published 2014 rankings. This validates Microchip’s commitment and innovation efforts for its 8-bit PIC MCU portfolio.

A highly integrated and accurate single-phase power-monitoring IC has been released by Microchip. Designed for the real-time measurement of AC power, the MCP39F511 combines the most popular power calculations with unique advanced features, making it suitable for use in high-performance commercial and industrial products such as lighting and heating systems, smart plugs, power meters and AC/DC power supplies.

Microchip Technology has announced that AUDI is networking the Audi virtual cockpit system in its TT Models using MOST technology. Specifically, it is deploying Microchip’s OS81118 MOST150 INIC (Intelligent Network Interface Controller), which provides 150Mb/s performance, supports all MOST network data types and includes a High Speed USB 2.0 interface (PHY/HSIC) to seamlessly connect with the virtual cockpit’s SoC processor.

The LAN9252 is a stand-alone EtherCAT slave controller from Microchip Technology which integrates two 10/100 PHYs. The LAN9252 supports traditional Host Bus and SPI/SQI communication, along with standalone digital I/O interfaces, providing system designers with the flexibility to select from a wide range of MCUs when implementing the real-time EtherCAT communications standard.

The BMW Group is continuing to broaden the proliferation of MOST technology in its vehicle infotainment networks, using Microchip’s Intelligent Network Interface Controllers (INICs). The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is BMW’s latest volume car model to implement MOST technology, following the company’s wide deployment among its premium models, which began in 2001.

A multizone audio technology and a mobile app for use in whole-home-audio and multi-room applications based on the JukeBlox 4 platform have been introduced by Microchip Technology. The JB Multizone 2.0 enables synchronised and highly robust audio streaming to multiple speakers in conjunction with the JB App, a turnkey mobile app that enables easy setup and operation of the wireless speaker.

Microchip has announced that MOST has released its MOST150 Technology Coaxial Physical Layer specification. This industry-standard specification enables Microchip to support smart antenna module connectivity to in-vehicle MOST150 ADAS and infotainment networks, via its OS81118AF Intelligent Network Interface Controller with integrated coax transceiver. 

Microchip announces a family of CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-rate) transceivers which serve both the CAN and CAN FD protocols. As an interface between a CAN protocol controller and the physical two-wire CAN bus, the MCP2561FD and MCP2562FD transceivers help automotive and industrial manufacturers with today’s CAN communication needs and provide a path for the newer CAN FD networks that are increasingly in demand.

Designed for the IEEE 802.11ac ultra-high data-rate WiFi standard, Microchip has announced a 5GHz Power Amplifier Module (PAM). The SST11CP22 delivers 19dBm linear output power at 1.8% dynamic Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) with MCS9 80MHz bandwidth modulation.It can also deliver 20dBm linear power at 3% EVM for 802.11a/n applications.

  A family of SQI (Serial Quad I/O) interface SuperFlash memory devices has been introduced by Microchip. The SST26VF family is comprised of a 16Mb model, a 32Mb model and a 64Mb model, all of which have been manufactured using Microchip’s CMOS SuperFlash technology.

Microchip Technology has announced the first in a series of modules for the LoRa technology low-data-rate wireless networking standard. LoRa technology enables IoT and M2M wireless communications with a range of more than 10 miles, a battery life of greater than 10 years, and the ability to connect millions of wireless sensor nodes to gateways.

Expanding its non-volatile DAC portfolio, Microchip has introduced the MCP47FEBXX low-power, single- and dual-channel DACs with 8-, 10- and 12-bit resolution. Integrating EEPROM and an I2C interface, the devices are suited for wireless microphones, MP3 player accessories, blood glucose test devices and applications such as motor control, instrumentation, sensor calibration and set point/offset trimming.

The first PIC MCU family to offer up to two independent closed-loop channels, Microchip Technology has introduced the 8-bit PIC16(L)F1769 family. The multiple channels are enabled by a Programmable Ramp Generator (PRG), which automates slope and ramp compensation and increases stability and efficiencies in hybrid power conversion applications.

Microchip's MM7150 motion module combines an SSC7150 motion co-processor with 9-axis sensors, including accelerometer, magnetometer and gyroscope in a small, easy-to-use form factor. Embedded/IoT applications can easily tap into the module’s advanced motion and position data thanks to a simple I2C connection to most MCUs/MPUs.

Optimised for the robust MOST high-speed automotive infotainment and ADAS network technology, Microchip has announced two H.264 video I/O companion ICs. The OS85621 and OS85623 devices expand Microchip’s existing family of MOST I/O companions with a cost-effective video codec solution.

The first in a new product family, Microchip Technology has introduced two power MOSFET drivers in SOT-23 and 2x2mm DFN packages. The MCP14A005X and MCP14A015X are designed for applications including embedded power conversion, brushed DC motor, unipolar stepper motor and solenoid/relay/valve control in power supply, lighting, automotive and consumer electronics markets.

Microchip has extended its MPLAB Code Configurator Plug-In to support 16-bit PIC MCUs. In addition to the 8-bit devices already supported, Microchip has added support for more than 50 16-bit devices into the latest release of the MPLAB Code Configurator, a code development tool aiming to enable developers to enhance the design experience with faster application development.