Microchip adds data encryption to PIC microcontrollers

Microchip has tuned its eXtreme Low Power (XLP) PIC microcontroller range with increased data protection capabilities.

The MCUs integrate a hardware crypto engine, a Random Number Generator (RNG) and One-Time-Programmable (OTP) key storage or protecting data in embedded applications.

Several security features are integrated into the PIC24F “GB2” family, to protect embedded data. The fully featured hardware crypto engine, supporting the AES, DES and 3DES standards, reduces software overhead, lowers power consumption and enables faster throughput.

The PIC24F “GB2” devices offer up to 128kbyte flash and 8kbyte RAM in small 28- or 44-pin packages, for battery-operated or portable applications.

A Random Number Generator creates random keys for data encryption, decryption and authentication, to provide a higher level of security.
For additional protection, the One-Time-Programmable (OTP) key storage prevents the encryption key from being read or overwritten.

These security features increase the integrity of embedded data without sacrificing power consumption. With XLP technology, the “GB2” family achieves 180 µA/MHz Run currents and 18 nA Sleep currents, for very long battery life in portable applications.

The MCUs also integrate USB for device or host connections, as well as a UART with ISO7816 support, which is intended for smartcard applications.

Product variants are available with USB (PIC24FJXXXGB2XX) and without USB (PIC24FJXXXGA2XX). The PIC24FJ128GB204, PIC24FJ64GB204, PIC24FJ128GA204 and PIC24FJ64GA204 are offered in 44-pin TQFP and QFN packages. The PIC24FJ128GB202, PIC24FJ64GB202, PIC24FJ128GA202 and PIC24FJ64GA202 are available in 28-pin SOIC, SSOP, SPDIP and QFN packages. All of these new MCUs are available today for sampling and volume production.