Microchip Brings Enhanced Code Protection and up to 15W of Power Delivery to its USB Microcontroller Portfolio

The well-known advantages of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface for embedded designs include its compatibility with various devices, streamlined communication protocol, in-field updatability and power delivery capabilities. To help easily incorporate this functionality into embedded systems, Microchip Technology has launched the AVR^® DU family of microcontrollers (MCUs). As the next generation of Microchip 8-bit MCUs to integrate USB connectivity, the AVR DU family is designed to provide enhanced security features and higher power delivery than previous iterations.

AVR DU MCUs support power delivery of up to 15W from the USB interface, a capability not commonly found in other USB microcontrollers within its class. This feature enables USB-C^® charging with currents up to 3A at 5V, making these MCUs an excellent choice for devices like portable power banks and rechargeable toys.

To strengthen its defense against malicious attacks, the AVR DU family incorporates Microchip’s Program and Debug Interface Disable (PDID) feature. When enabled, the enhanced code protection is designed to lock out access to the programming/debugging interface and block unauthorized attempts to read, modify or erase firmware (more info).