CHANDLER, Ariz., Oct. 21, 2013 [NASDAQ:  MCHP] — Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, today announced  the new  PIC32 Bluetooth® Audio Development Kit.  The full-featured kit enables custom application development on the   PIC32 microcontrollers (MCUs) for Bluetooth and USB digital audio solutions.

The creation of the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has enabled convenient wireless stereo audio for applications such as smartphone home and automotive audio docks, wireless speakers, A/V receivers and all-in-one compact audio systems among others.  Bluetooth audio support is now a regularly seen requirement for smartphone docking solutions.  Consumers are able to use their phone as a music source, as well as, a remote control to select the song of their choice and play it from across the room.  With the challenges in RF design, software development, and certifications, developers need a proven, easy to use, complete development kit that will enable them to start right out of the box.  Since market requirements vary, developers also need the flexibility to customize their development platform to suit their target market.

The PIC32 Bluetooth Audio Development Kit that ships with audio streaming demo code delivers up to 24-bit, 192 kHz audio and has been tested with over 100 different Bluetooth audio enabled devices, spanning 18 different manufacturers.  The Bluetooth Hardware module and the Bluetooth A2DP audio software have been Bluetooth.org certified, saving the developer significant certification costs.  The modular design allows developers to swap out the included daughter boards (one for Audio and one for Bluetooth), to create their own custom versions with their preferred audio and wireless solution.  The kit also supports USB Host and Device connectivity, Apple® device authentication module interface, a 2-inch color LCD, five general-purpose button switches, 5 LEDs and a Plug-In-Module interface for PIC32 microcontroller upgrades.  The PIC32MX450F256 MCU is included which runs at 80 MHz with 256 KB Flash and 64 KB RAM.  With such a broad feature-set and flexibility, the kit makes an excellent general purpose development tool.          

Microchip’s new Bluetooth Audio Development Kit is an ideal solution for developers who want to add high-quality wireless audio to their design” said Sumit Mitra, vice president of Microchip’s MCU32 Division.  “The development kit includes an interface for use for iPod® and iPhone® products, enabling expansion to support these popular devices.”

Microchip is also releasing the necessary Bluetooth Libraries for the kit that enable multiple audio and data profiles as well as USB digital audio.  These include the Bluetooth Serial Port Protocol (SPP)—available for download now at  http://www.microchip.com/get/UN9B, the Bluetooth Audio Suite 1 (A2DP with the standard SBC CODEC support) and Bluetooth Audio Suite 2 (A2DP with SBC + AAC CODEC support).

The PIC32 Bluetooth Audio Development Kit (part # DV320032, $199.99),  Bluetooth Audio Suite 1 (part# SW320014-1, $299.00),  Bluetooth Audio Suite 2 (part# SW320014-2, $499.00) are available for purchase today.  For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip’s Web site at  http://www.microchip.com/get/1FL9.  To purchase products mentioned in this press release, go to  microchipDIRECT or contact one of Microchip’s authorized distribution partners.

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