Column: MCUs
For operators managing these
sizable systems with near-countless nodes, it is vital to reduce any unnecessary overhead, such as component expenses and power usage, as their combined impact can be significant. The benefits of distributed intelligence are also becoming evident in the realm of agriculture. Farming is an industry that faces inherent instability caused by factors like extreme weather conditions, water, fertiliser and labour shortages and crop diseases – all of which greatly affect productivity. The growing demand for dependable
and sustainable farming practices that can operate with fewer resources is fuelling the use of advanced technology. Traditional farming practices are being revolutionised by the integration of cutting-
edge electronics, like networked monitoring systems that check herd health and allowing animals the freedom to roam, improving their welfare. Equally, with the advent of smart,
battery-powered soil sensors, farmers can now monitor soil health in real time. By leveraging this data, farms can implement precise resource management strategies, including optimised water usage and reduced chemical inputs, resulting in enhanced sustainability of their operations and making a positive impact on the quality of food production.
PIC families Microchip’s 8-bit and AVR MCUs makes them perfect for the requirements of rapidly evolving
applications like smart cities and intelligent agriculture. Adding functionality to 8-bit
MCUs is at the heart of Microchip’s portfolio, and is seen across devices like the PIC16F18126/46 family. Here, Microchip has added the Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) peripherals, which enable designers to choose from various gates and sequential logic options to customise the logic demands for a specific application. The seamless integration of the CLC results in a streamlined design process, lower bill of materials and better power efficiency, for intelligence at low power. When assessing the current digital
landscape, it’s obvious that 8-bit MCUs are the ideal choice in interconnected systems in any sector.
www.electronicsworld.co.uk June 2024 11
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