Microchip Technology chipKIT development platform

Microchip Technology and Digilent have launched what they claim is the first 32-bit-microcontroller-based, open-source development platform that is compatible with Arduino hardware and software.

Designed and manufactured by Digilent, a Microchip design partner, the chipKIT platform is the first and only 32-bit Arduino solution to enable hobbyists and academics to integrate electronics into their projects, even if they do not have an electronic-engineering background.

The platform consists of two PIC32-based development boards and open-source software that is compatible with the Arduino programming language and development environment.

The chipKIT is compatible with existing 3.3 V Arduino shields and applications, and can be developed using a modified version of the IDE and existing resources, such as code examples, libraries, references and tutorials.

The boards enable 80 MHz performance and provide up to 512 KB of flash, with up to 128 KB RAM. The boards feature connectivity peripherals, including ethernet, CAN, and USB (full-speed host, device and OTG); plus peripherals such as multiple timers, a 16-channel 1 MSPS analog-to-digital converter, two comparators and multiple I2°C, SPI, and UART interfaces.