RS launches global DesignSpark chipKIT Challenge

Entrants must use the company's free-of-charge DesignSpark PCB software tool and Microchip's Digilent chipKIT Max32^TM development platform featuring the 32-bit PIC32 microcontroller to realise their designs. Competition winners will share a total cash prize of US$10,000, so hurry and register now at www.chipkitchallenge.com RS Components launched its DesignSpark chipKIT^TM Challenge competition. Registration and further information can be found at: www.chipkitchallenge.com The chipKIT Challenge is an online competition that challenges electronics design engineers, students and hobbyists to produce an energy efficient, eco-friendly design. Entrants will use the award-winning, free-of-charge DesignSpark PCB software tool from RS and the Digilent chipKIT Max32^TM development platform featuring the 32-bit PIC32 microcontroller from Microchip Technology, a leading provider of microcontroller, analogue and Flash-IP solutions, to realise their designs. Registration for the chipKIT Challenge is now open at www.chipkitchallenge.com, with participants invited to submit design projects showcasing the functionality of the chipKIT Max32 development kit and DesignSpark PCB in an environmentally friendly application. The first 1,000 qualified entrants to register will be eligible to receive a complimentary chipKIT Max32 development board. A panel of judges, comprising design engineers and experts, will evaluate the projects based on a range of criteria including energy efficiency, originality, usefulness, and design optimisation. The competition winners will share a total cash prize of US$10,000. During the competition entrants will also be encouraged to share ideas and post updates to the RS online DesignSpark community and automatically qualify for a bonus Community Choice Award as well as entry into prize draws. "Today's embedded applications are demanding ever-decreasing energy consumption to mitigate the environmental impact of the global electronics market," said Mark Cundle, Technical Marketing Manager, Electrocomponents. "In conjunction with Microchip, RS has launched this competition through Elektor and Circuit Cellar to highlight its commitment to eco-friendly electronics design and to offer engineers at all levels the opportunity to gain recognition for developing unique, innovative energy efficient products." Mike McGlade, Sales Channel Manager - Catalogue & Retail, Microchip, commented, "Microchip is delighted to be a partner in the DesignSpark chipKIT Challenge. The PIC32 based chipKIT board provides a great platform for entrants of all abilities to develop application solutions in a familiar engineering environment. Microchip wishes all entrants the best of luck." The closing date for entries to the competition is 27 March 2012. Winners will be announced in April 2012.