chandler, ariz., aug. 31, 2015 — microchip technology inc. (nasdaq: mchp), a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and flash-ip solutions, today announced themcp9600—the world’s first thermocouple-conditioning integrated circuit to combine precision instrumentation, a precision temperature sensor and a precision, high-resolution analog-to-digital converter (adc), in addition to a math engine preprogrammed with the firmware to support a broad range of standard thermocouple types (k, j, t, n, s, e, b and r). thermocouples are one of the most ubiquitous temperature-measurement devices, due to their robustness and accuracy in harsh, high-temperature environments, and their ability to measure temperature over an extremely wide range. the mcp9600 simplifies thermocouple designs by integrating a number of discrete devices into one chip, which also lowers board area, cost and power consumption.

to learn more about microchip’s mcp9600, visit http://www.microchip.com/mcp9600-page-063015a. and, view a brief presentation, here: http://www.microchip.com/mcp9600-press-presentation-063015a

thermocouples are widely used to measure temperature by the designers of industrial, consumer, automotive/aerospace and petrochemical applications, among others. the mcp9600 provides them with the world’s first plug-and-play solution for creating thermocouple-based designs, because it eliminates the design expertise required for a discrete implementation, such as firmware development using an mcu’s math engine. designers no longer have to create precision instrumentation circuitry to accurately measure a thermocouple’s microvolt-level signals, nor do they have to design adc circuitry for precise temperature calculations. with the mcp9600’s integrated cold-junction compensation, calculating the “hot” junction temperature of a thermocouple doesn’t necessitate thermal design expertise to precisely measure the reference temperature of the thermocouple’s “cold” junction.

“the mcp9600 is the only system-on-a-chip thermocouple-conditioning ic on the market,” said bryan j. liddiard, marketing vice president of microchip’s analog and interface products division. “it offers customers a fully integrated, plug-and-play solution for a non-trivial application, saving development time and resources.”

other features of the mcp9600 include a temperature-data digital filter, which minimizes the effects of temperature fluctuations, system noise and electromagnetic interference. its shutdown modes reduce overall system power consumption, while its four user-programmable temperature-alert outputs reduce the system microcontroller’s overhead and code space, while further simplifying designs. finally, the mcp9600 comes in a 5x5 mm, 20-lead mqfn package, which further reduces board area and manufacturing cost.

the mcp9600 thermocouple ic evaluation board (part # adm00665) was also announced today, to enable development. it is available now for $65.00.

the mcp9600 is available today for sampling and volume production, in a 5x5 mm, 20-lead mqfn package. prices start at $3.54 each in 5,000-unit quantities. for additional information, contact any microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit microchip’s web site at http://www.microchip.com/mcp9600-page-063015a. to purchase products mentioned in this press release, go to microchipdirect or contact one of microchip’s authorized distribution partners.