Microchip Technology (Nasdaq: MCHP) has unveiled the PIC32-BZ6 microcontroller unit (MCU), a highly integrated single-chip platform designed to simplify multi-protocol wireless development while supporting advanced connectivity, touch, and motor control applications. The move comes as the semiconductor industry faces increasing complexity in RF design and a growing demand for devices that can easily adapt to evolving connectivity standards.
The PIC32-BZ6 MCU combines Bluetooth® Low Energy, Thread®, Matter, and proprietary wireless protocols in a single platform, allowing developers to create scalable, connected products without the need for multiple chips. The device also integrates analog peripherals for motor control, touch and graphics capabilities for advanced user interfaces, and memory to support complex workloads and Over-the-Air (OTA) firmware updates.
“The PIC32-BZ6 MCU stands out for its powerful blend of connectivity, integration, and flexibility in a single-chip solution,” said Rishi Vasuki, Vice President of Microchip’s Wireless Solutions Business Unit. “Customers are already leveraging its multi-protocol wireless capabilities, advanced analog features, and high I/O to develop smarter, more connected products efficiently.”
By consolidating multiple functions into a single MCU, Microchip aims to reduce the development burden and cost associated with traditional multi-chip solutions, which often require redesigns to keep pace with evolving standards. The platform is particularly suited for smart home, automotive connectivity, industrial automation, and wireless motor control applications.
Key features of the PIC32-BZ6 MCU include high memory and scalable packages, with 2 MB Flash memory, 512 KB RAM, and 132-pin ICs, with additional variants planned to support demanding applications and OTA updates. The device supports multi-protocol wireless networking, including Bluetooth 6.0, 802.15.4-based protocols such as Thread and Matter, and proprietary smart-home mesh networking protocols.
The platform also provides wired connectivity through two CAN-FD ports, 10/100 Mbps Ethernet MAC, and USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver, alongside advanced touch and graphics capabilities, including Capacitive Voltage Divider-based touch with up to 18 channels. For motor control, it includes 12-bit ADCs, 7-bit DAC, analog comparators, PWM, and quadrature encoder interface (QEI) for precise control.
Security is built into the PIC32-BZ6 MCU, featuring immutable secure boot in ROM and a hardware-based engine supporting AES, SHA, ECC, and TRNG encryption. The device is also qualified to AEC-Q100 Grade 1 (125 °C) specifications, ensuring reliability for automotive and industrial applications.
Microchip supports developers with reference designs, wireless design check services, and pre-certified modules to ease regulatory compliance. The PIC32-BZ6 MCU family is compatible with the PIC32-BZ6 Curiosity Board, MPLAB® IDE, and the Zephyr® Real Time Operating System, enabling efficient testing of I/Os, connectivity, and peripheral features.
The platform currently includes the PIC32CX2051BZ62132 SoC for multi-protocol wireless applications and the PIC32WM-BZ6204UE RF-certified module for rapid integration. Pricing starts at $3.73 for the SoC and $5.84 for the module per unit in 10,000-unit quantities, with additional package and module options planned to further expand design flexibility.
