Microcontroller units (MCUs) continue to bring functional flexibility to ever-changing application requirements, and today’s top suppliers within the industrial, automotive and consumer markets consistently leverage the technology’s low-power and high-performance capabilities for a wide variety of applications. As the number one developer of 8-bit MCUs and a top five developer of other MCU products, Microchip Technology Inc. dominates the space — delivering its 25 billionth MCU alongside its 30th anniversary. The company awarded the milestone purchase of its PIC24 MCU to long-time supplier of electro-optical products for the global automotive industry, Gentex Corporation.
Supplying nearly every major automaker with connected-car technologies and advanced electronic features that optimize driver vision and enhance driving safety, Gentex integrates the PIC® MCU into its HomeLink car-to-home automation system, which consists of in-vehicle buttons that can be programmed to operate garage doors, security gates and other home automation devices. Microchip’s PIC24EP128GP202 brings low-power operation, compact architecture and enhanced flexibility to its intuitive design. Together with Microchip development tools, Gentex has accelerated the innovation of automotive design, delivering safe and secure solutions for the market.
“We value our relationship with Microchip and are honored by this recognition,” said Neil Boehm, chief technology officer and vice president of engineering at Gentex Corporation. “We use Microchip’s embedded control solutions in many of our products, including our smart rearview mirrors, which typically come integrated with glare sensors, video displays, forward-facing cameras and other advanced electronic features. It’s fitting that the 25 billionth Microchip MCU was integrated into a HomeLink module, as there are nearly 80 million HomeLink units in use on the roads today.”
Microchip’s 25 billionth MCU shipment comes at the heels of rapid market growth, answering the industry’s demand for dynamic design requirements. It is the only semiconductor supplier innovating across 8-, 16- and 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs), digital signal controllers (DSCs) and microprocessors (MPUs), providing the ultimate selection in scalable performance. Serving more than 125,000 companies worldwide, Microchip enables its customers to create optimal designs, reducing risk and lowering total system cost and time to market.
“It is with great pride that we deliver our 25 billionth MCU to our longstanding customer, Gentex,” said Steve Sanghi, CEO at Microchip. “This purchase reflects our shared commitment to drive tomorrow’s technology innovations, helping enable ease of design and flexible functionalities for its HomeLink interface. We thank Gentex, and all our outstanding customers, for their ongoing support in today’s highly competitive marketplace.”
Microchip presented Gentex with its milestone award on May 15, 2019, in Zeeland, Michigan. For additional information, visit Microchip’s website at www.microchip.com. To purchase products mentioned, visit our purchasing portal or contact a Microchip authorized distributor
