Upgrade Wireless Connectivity With Microchip’s PIC32MZ-W1 Wi-Fi SoC and Module Family for Design Engineers

PIC32MZ-W1 Wi-Fi SoC and Module Family for Design Engineers

While the world has turned into a landscape of connected devices, wireless connectivity has become a core part of modern engineering designs. However, design engineers require vigorous and versatile solutions in order to enable seamless wireless connectivity.

Microchip Technology, a leading semiconductor solutions company, launched the PIC23MZW-W1 from Wi-Fi SoCs and modules Family. The 200-MHz microcontroller (MCU) integrates low-power Wi-Fi connectivity and a rich set of peripherals. Hence, it provides immense features and functionalities to add to your application effortlessly. 

This article takes a deeper dive into the details of the Microchip PIC32MZ-W1 from the Wi-Fi SoCs and Module family. In addition, it’ll cover details on how the microcontroller can streamline wireless connectivity in engineering designs.

Seamless Connectivity with Powerful SoC

System-on-Chips (SoCs) are designed specifically for wireless applications. Therefore, one of the high-performace SoCs lies at the core of the Microchip PIC32MZ-W1. However, the PIC32MZ-W1 SoC combines a powerful 32-bit microcontroller with a high-speed Wi-Fi transceiver that offers a broad platform for wireless connectivity.

Moreover, the rich feature set and advance peripherals integrated within the SoC enable design engineers to incorporate Wi-Fi connectivity seamlessly in their applications.

Various Module Options

The Microchip PIC32MZ-W1 offers range of modules that provide various types of interfaces to cater to diverse design requirements. In addition to that, the modules help with a flexible integration that allows design engineers to choose suitable options for their application. 

The Microchip Wi-Fi and Module Family has a solution for all the design needs, including compact footprint, through-hole, and specific inferfaces like USB.

Extensive Software Ecosystem

The PIC32MZ-W1 Wi-Fi SoC and Module Family is supported by the Microchip’s Harmony framework that offers a complete suite of software libraries, drivers and middleware. In simple words, the Harmony framework simplifies the development process. Hence, increasing the design engineers’ efficiency with a unified and intuitive environment. 

In addition, the Microchip’s MPLAB® X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) further enhances the experience with a broad toolset for coding, debugging, and testing.

Security and Connectivity

Security is an important aspect when it comes to wireless connectivity. Therefore, the PIC32MZ-W1 Wi-Fi solution addresses this aspect with a comprehensive set of security features.

The SoC integrated advanced security protocols such as WPA2 personal and enterprise encryption, secure boot, and SSL/TLS support. Hence, it ensures data integrity and security. 

In addition to that, the solution supports various connectivity options such as Wi-Fi Direct, WPS, and Soft-AP mode, creating a flexible and seamless connection between devices.

Industry-Leading Performance

Lastly, the Microchip PIC32MZ-W1 offers and industry-leading performance that makes it ideal for demanding applications. It’s because the SoC boasts a high-speed MIPS® microAptiv™ CPU core, RAM resources, and ample of peripheral options. Thus, providing immense power needed for complex wireless applications. 

When this performance is combined with the efficient Wi-Fi transceiver, it delivered reliable and high-speed data transfers. 

Features

Microchip’s PIC32MZ-W1 has numerous features to count such as:

• It has a compact surface mount module with dimensions: 24.5 mm × 20.5 mm × 2.5 mm, 54 pads, 1.27 mm pad pitch.

• The operating frequency is up to 200 MHz, that is, faster than similar products available in the market.

• In addition, the operating temperature ranges from -40°C to 85°C.

• The microcontroller has the largest number of available GPIOs.

• A rich set of peripherals that includes Ethernet, CAN/CAN-FD, USB and Capacitive touch (CVD).

•  The ADC performance is fast, accurate, and reliable with minimum effects from temperature changes.

• It has an EEMC CodeMark® score of 710.

• Lastly, it requires only 3.3V single-supply voltage.

Applications Examples

Wi-Fi Bridging

Wi-Fi bridge in the fastest and easiest way to enable a Wi-Fi connection on an existing host machine without any need of additional software or drivers. It can continue to work with existing communicating protocols such as Ethernet, CAN, or USB.

WFI32 Wi-Fi MCU module offers multiple communication module enabling Wi-Fi bridging, which is used widely used in automotive, industrial, and medical appliances including:

• Host machine maintenance
• Dual interface products
• Cable replacement

Class B Safety Software

PIC32MZ-W1 microcontrollers have been specifically designed to work efficiently with the available resources to work with class B safety software.

It’s because each function has been thoroughly tested based on the architecture and available resources. Some of the key features covered by Class B Safety are: 

• CPU register test
• Program counter test
• Variable memory test
• Flash memory test
• Clock test

Easy IoT Cloud Connectivity

Connectivity is critical when it comes to developing IoT systems. IoT engineers focus a lot on security aspects, performance, and the reliability factors for designing connectivity components for IoT. Microchip’s PIC32MZ-W1 offers a fast and reliable solution, to use in various industrial and home IoT systems.

Additially Microchip Technology makes various development tools available such as MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE), MPLAB Harmony, and PIC32 WFI32E curiosity board, and support from the prototype stage to industiural production of IoT models.

Conclusion

The Microchip’s PIC32MZ-W1 Wi-Fi SoC and Module Family is immensely helpful for design engineers with its powerful and versatile wireless connectivity solutions. Moreover, the robust features, comprehensive software ecosystem, and industry-leading performance simplify the integration with engineering designs. 

Hence, the PIC32MZ-W1 is the one solution whether you are developing smart home devices or IoT applications. 

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