Dev board connects 16bit PIC applications to Google Cloud, with security

To show how its 16bit microcontrollers can be connected securely to the cloud, Microchip has introduced a development board that combines a PIC microcontroller, a secure element IC and certified Wi-Fi network controller.

“The solution provides a simple way to connect and secure PIC MCU-based applications, removing the security vulnerabilities that come with large software frameworks and real-time operating systems,” claimed the firm. “Once connected, Google Cloud IoT Core provides data and analytics to help designers make better, smarter products.”

Called the PIC-IoT WG development board (AC164164), it is intended to connect through an on-line portal called www.PIC-IoT.com – which Microchip described as “free”.

“Google Cloud IoT Core provides a managed service that enables designers to securely connect, manage and ingest data from devices at a global scale,” it said. “The platform collects, processes and analyses data in real time to enable designers to improve operational efficiency in embedded designs.”

Once connected, the MPLAB Code Configurator (‘MCC’) tool can be used to develop and debug the intended app.

Intended for battery-powered control and sensing, the microcontroller is a PIC24FJ128GA705 – which has the firm’s ‘core independent peripherals’ that an operate while the main processor sleeps to save power.

The secure element, intended to protect the root-of-trust in hardware with a protected identity for each device that can be securely authenticated, is the ATECC608A – these come pre-registered on Google Cloud IoT Core and are ready for use.

For Wi-Fi connectivity to Google Cloud, the IEEE 802.11 b/g/n IoT network controller is a ATWINC1510 that connects to its host MCU over an SPI interface, and doesn’t need networking protocol expertise from the application designer.

To add sensors and actuators, the board is compatible with more than 450 MikroElektronika Click boards, and “developers who purchase the kit will have access to an online portal for immediate visualisation of their sensors’ data being published”, said Microchip.

The firm recently announcer the AVR-IoT WG development board, a similar product for AVR-based processing.