To defend against current and ever-expanding security threats, Microchip Technology has announced the launch of the PIC18-Q24 family of microcontrollers (MCUs).
In order to counter the threat of maliciously reprogramming a device in an embedded system, the PIC18-Q24 MCUs have introduced the Programming and Debugging Interface Disable (PDID) feature. This feature, when enabled, provides enhanced code protection and is designed to lock out access to the programming/debugging interface and block unauthorised attempts to read, modify or erase firmware.
“System security is only as strong as its weakest link. Any programmable component can be vulnerable, and it is essential to implement enhanced protection features to prevent potential hacks,” explained Greg Robinson, corporate vice president of Microchip’s 8-bit MCU business unit. “The PIC18-Q24 family of MCUs from Microchip are designed with advanced security in the forefront, to help customers combat threats at the system’s foundation.”
Because many secure systems often connect and communicate with a wide variety of sensors, memory chips and processors, the PIC18-Q24 MCUs feature Multi-Voltage I/O (MVIO) which eliminates the need for external level shifters and allows the MCUs to interface with digital inputs or outputs at different operating voltages.
In addition to reducing board complexity and Bill of Material (BOM) cost, MVIO makes PIC18-Q24 MCUs well-suited as system management processors, performing monitoring and telemetry for a larger processor. These seemingly routine tasks are typically most vulnerable to potential hackers as they try to gain access to embedded systems.
The PIC18-Q24 family is also enabled with the option to have an immutable bootloader for applications that want a secure way to upgrade firmware.
PIC18-Q24 MCUs are fully supported by Microchip’s comprehensive development ecosystem and designed to integrate with the MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC). The PIC18F56Q24 Curiosity Nano Evaluation Kit (EV01E86A) offers support for designing with the PIC18-Q24 family.
