Microchip Technology’s 24-bit audio MCU-based development boards

The DM320013/4 from Microchip Technology are digital audio mixer boards based on low pin count 32-bit PIC32 microcontrollers (MCUs). The DM320014, a USB digital audio accessory board, utilises standard USB 2.0 Mini-B connectivity. The DM320413, a digital audio mixer board, offers Apple portable device connectivity and is offered exclusively to Apple MFi licensees. These two development boards, each powered by Microchip Technology’s PIC32MX250F128 32-bit MCU, enable audio and voice device development for a broad range of applications.

Both boards are designed for easy integration of digital and analog audio into the target application. Key features include interfaces for digital audio via USB Mini-B or the Apple iOS interface, line-in and microphone-in for convenient connectivity to analog audio sources such as microphones or instrument pickups, and line-out and headphone out, for line-level output and headphone connectivity. Each provides a good starting point for a portable music player dock design. Additionally, these features allow the mixing of digital and analog audio, utilising the power of the PIC32’s advanced processing capabilities. The development boards are suitable for applications in the consumer and automotive markets, such as consumer audio docks (including those in stereo systems), noise-cancelling headsets, clock radios or A/V entertainment system sounds bars, as well as in automobiles that offer portable music player docking capabilities.

These two boards feature 66 DMIPS of performance, up to 128 KB Flash, 32 KB of RAM, USB, I2S interfaces and an advanced clocking scheme that provides the signals needed for the external CODEC while eliminating the need for a CODEC with a built-in PLL. In addition, this series of MCUs offers an 8-bit Parallel Master Port (perfect for interface to an LCD), Microchip’s mTouch capacitive touch technology support and numerous other general-purpose features.