Microchip Technology Inc. announced a series of technical training seminars in China-beginning in February - that will show designers how to easily adapt to changing product requirements by migrating a real-world application from 8, to 16, to 32-bit PIC microcontrollers (MCUs). The seminars will run from February to March 2012 in 12 locations - Beijing, Chongqing, Dongguan, Guiyang, Hangzhou, Hefei, Jinan, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Xian, Zhengzhou, and Zhuhai. These one-day classes will teach engineers how to migrate the application using one set of tools and with minimal code changes; demonstrating how they can save both time and money through reuse. The seminars will utilize Microchips free software tools and the "One PIC MCU Platform Demo Board," which is bundled with the PICkit  3 in-circuit debugger and programmer, and is exclusively offered to attendees at a discounted price.

Many designers need to quickly expand product feature sets, or create a broad range of products at the outset, and they would prefer to save time and money by maintaining a common code base. However, feature-set expansions often force designers to move to a new microcontroller that requires different tools. Microchips free MPLAB X integrated development environment (IDE) enables designers to easily migrate code among all of the more than 800 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit PIC MCUs. This seminar series walks designers through the migration of a real-world application using a single IDE, while illustrating how to select the best MCU for each designs unique requirements. The example application will also feature the latest technologies for low power consumption, human interface and connectivity in embedded designs, as it progresses from an entry-level to a top-of-the-line end product.

"Controlling embedded design costs while differentiating products are always the challenges faced by electronic engineers," said E.H. Chen, Microchips Greater China sales director. "We will address this challenge in the seminars, and help engineers re-use design resources, simplify feature creep and reduce engineering costs. I am sure this is the seminar on which engineers cannot miss out."

Admission and Attendee Tool Discounts

Entry to the technical training seminars is RMB 100 each. However, the entry fee will be waived for those who purchase the exclusive "One PIC MCU Platform Demo Board." Attendees will also enjoy significant discounts on a board range of Microchip Development Tools. To find a seminar in a city near you, visit: http://www.microchip.com/get/377H. For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized distributor.