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INTHISISSUEPAGE 1

Technical training now available through Microchip’s Regional Training Centers

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What’s new with Microchip’s 16-bit PIC® microcontrollers

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Protect your IP with CodeGuard™ security

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Add more functionality to your 8-, 14- or 20-pin designs

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Bit Bashing: If you need a logic gate, use a voltage comparator

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Microchip Technology’s Gresham fab receives Oregon green permit

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Production programming service through microchipDIRECT

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How managers become barriers (Part II)

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Lear Corporation honors Microchip as Hall Of Fame Supplier

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Microchip around town

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Introducing the PICkit™ 2 Debug Express

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What’s new in Microchip literature?

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Web site highlights

INTHISISSUE

FormoreinformationaboutMicrochipTechnology’sRegionalTrainingCenters,visitwww.microchip.com/RTC

Are you looking to enhance your knowledge base and design skill sets?

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY

REGIONAL TRAIN

ING C

ENTERSEXPLORE DESIGN

APPLY

New design methodologies, board-level “tips and tricks” and hands-on development tool training can make you more productive, while increasing your own professional value. If additional training interests you, then Microchip may be able to help with our global network of Regional Training Centers (RTCs) that provide workshops and seminars on a year-round basis. Each RTC offers a multitude of courses on a regular basis to fit your demanding schedule. You can benefit by learning in small hands-on classroom settings that focus on your specific needs.

Developed and taught by engineers, Microchip’s technical training provides the specific knowledge and tools for designers at any experience level. Attendees walk away armed with specific skills that can be applied immediately, increasing their own design productivity.

The RTCs offer a variety of highly targeted design topics that can help you add functionality to your current applications and take full advantage of new or unfamiliar technologies, applications or device peripherals. These classes can help you stay ahead of the competition in the world of embedded control and stay ahead of industry trends and design techniques. Class sizes allow plenty of time for one-on-one interaction with our expert instructors.

For those organizations who desire having a number of employees attend a course at the same time, Microchip can customize any curriculum to meet your specific needs. Our instructors arrive at your location with all presentation materials and equipment, making it easy for your whole team to benefit from a specific course topic in one setting.

Who Should Attend?■ Design engineers of any experience level or discipline who

have a need for embedded control in their products

■ Engineering managers seeking to stay current with the latest technologies and techniques available to their engineering staff

Microchip offers basic, intermediate and advanced classes in a wide range of topics.

Why Should I Attend?■ Increase your design skills and productivity

■ Help solve your toughest business issues: enjoy faster time to market, lower total system cost and reduced development risk

■ Curriculum created by engineers for engineers

■ Substantial discounts offered on development systems

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Great things are happening with our new 16-bit PIC® microcontrollers!Electronic Products recently named the PIC24F family its 2005 Product of the Year. The devices have also been well-received by over 5,000 engineers worldwide who attended our 16-bit seminar series. The seminars presented an overview of the PIC24 microcontrollers, dsPIC® digital signal controllers, and related development tools and software libraries to assist product evaluation. The compatibility between our 16-bit product families can further speed your project into production.

With nine devices in its portfolio, the cost-effective, 16-bit, PIC24F family offers 64 KB, 96 KB and 128 KB Flash in 64-, 80- or 100-pin packages. Key features of the PIC24F128GA family include:

CPU• Up to 16 MIPS performance• 17 x 17 hardware multiply, single-cycle execution• 32-bit x 16-bit hardware divider• C compiler-optimized instruction set

System• Internal oscillator support: 31 kHz to 8 MHz, up to 32 MHz with 4X PLL• On-chip LDO voltage regulator• JTAG boundary scan and Flash memory program support• Fail-Safe Clock Monitor allows safe shutdown if clock fails• Watchdog Timer with separate RC oscillator

nanoWatt Technology Power-Managed Modes• Run, Idle and Sleep modes• Multiple, switchable clock modes for optimum performance and power

management

Analog Features• 10-bit ADC, 16 channels, 500k samples-per-second• Two analog comparators

Peripherals• Two UART modules with LIN and IrDA® protocol support, 4-deep FIFO• Two SPI modules • Two I²C™ modules with Master and Slave modes• Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) module• Five 16-bit timer modules• Up to 5 input capture and 5 output compare/PWM

Get to know Microchip’s 16-bit PIC24 microcontrollers!• Hardware Real-Time Clock Calendar (RTCC) with alarms• Parallel Master Port (PMP) with 16 address lines and 8/16-bit data

PIC24F Real-Time Clock and Calendar (RTCC)If you are a current PIC18 or PIC16user and need to step up in performance, memory, or peripherals, the PIC24F family provides an easy upgrade path. The PIC24F family adds the RTCC peripheral to provide an accurate calendar with minimal software overhead for a wide range of applications, such as security systems, meters and instrumentation, and hand-held terminals.

Key Module Features:• Time: Hours, minutes and seconds• 24-hour format (military time)• Calendar: Weekday, date, month and year• Year Range: 2000 to 2099• Leap year correction• Configurable alarm • Requires external 32.768 kHz clock crystal• BCD format for compact firmware• Optimized for low-power operation• User calibration with auto-adjust• Calibration Range: ±2.64 seconds error per month

A valuable feature of the module is the ability to calibrate the RTCC for system parameters, such as temperature variation of the 32 kHz crystal. This calibration feature can achieve errors of less than 3 seconds per month.

Samples are available today at http://sample.microchip.com. Production volume is shipping now and can be ordered through any Microchip sales office worldwide, our distribution partners and online at microchipDIRECT.

TofindoutmoreabouttheRTCCandotherPIC24FFamilymodules,pleasegotowww.microchip.com/16bitandfollowthePIC24FFamilyReferenceManuallink.

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At no additional cost, CodeGuard™ security allows segmentation and privileged access of memory on-board Microchip’s 16-bit devicesMicrochip’s dsPIC® Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) and PIC24H Microcontrollers (MCUs) are the world’s first 16-bit devices with advanced security features that allow multiple parties in a collaborative system design to share the memory, interrupts and peripherals of a single chip without compromising their Intellectual Property (IP). This memory segmentation reduces system costs for OEMs and their design partners by eliminating the need to store programs on separate chips.

In embedded applications, OEMs, design houses and software vendors face some critical issues in trying to protect their IP, while collaborating on system designs to achieve end-product customization, such as:

■ The use of multiple chips for separately protecting individual intellectual properties, which increases system costs for OEMs and Value-Added Resellers (VARs).

■ Software algorithm vendors and design houses frequently risk losing IP to unqualified partners.

■ Insufficient on-chip support for secure firmware distribution and Flash memory updates.

CodeGuard security can eliminate these collaboration and security concerns by enabling OEMs to divide and share three segments of on-chip memory with tiered levels of security – the Boot Segment, Secure Segment and General Segment. This segmentation allows design houses or algorithm vendors to protect proprietary software in secure memory segments, while permitting a range of applications to access algorithm operation from other segments. Additionally, CodeGuard security, coupled with Microchip’s low-cost encryption software libraries, enables secure field upgrades of product firmware. These secure field updates of firmware can be further improved by decrypting the incoming data stream entirely within a secure segment’s resources.

“With the world becoming increasingly security conscious, adding a layered security capability to our 16-bit products is a natural evolution for high-end embedded designs,” said Sumit Mitra, vice president of Microchip’s Digital Signal Controller division. “Whether the goal is to implement secure communication, protect code updates or allow multiple parties to securely share the resources of one controller, CodeGuard security provides a solution.”

In addition to being the first chipmaker to offer this type of security on 16-bit devices, Microchip is also the only vendor to offer such features on devices that target general purpose, motor control, automotive and

digital power conversion applications. (Previously, this type of code security was only offered on 32-bit processors and ASICs targeting PDA and smart card applications.) However, automotive, manufacturing-equipment and power meter OEMs, among others, have expressed concerns about the possibility of intruders tampering with their mission-critical systems during the course of field firmware updates to a controller’s Flash memory via protocol stacks like TCP/IP or on-board peripherals for CAN, USB, RS-232 or I²C™ communication.

The CodeGuard security features segmented Flash memory with code protection options for each segment. Combining this security with encryption software libraries enables a secure kernel that ensures tamper-resistant firmware upgrades and application deployments in the field, which is particularly beneficial to applications in the automotive, industrial and consumer markets, such as automobile engine electronics. Applications such as telecom (e.g. noise-cancelling headsets and hands-free phone kits), power distribution/metering and authentication (e.g. smart card readers, ATMs and POS terminals) can also take advantage of this security.

Advanced implementation of CodeGuard security is available today, at no additional charge, on all PIC24H MCUs; all dsPIC��F DSCs; and dsPIC�0F5011, dsPIC�0F501�, dsPIC�0F6010A, dsPIC�0F6011A,dsPIC�0F6012A, dsPIC�0F601�A, dsPIC�0F6014A and dsPIC�0F6015 DSCs.

Do you need advanced security features to protect your intellectual property?

“The advanced security features available on many of Microchip’s 16-bit products open new avenues to protect our IP, securely update our firmware and add new features to our lines of engineering and production device programmers. We selected the dsPIC DSC and use Microchip’s security libraries for our latest designs. These advanced security features add considerable dimension to the capability of these devices.” — Brandon White, software engineering manager for BP Microsystems

FormoreinformationaboutCodeGuardsecurityvisitwww.microchip.com/CodeGuard

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With Microchip’s new 20-pin devices, board layout, control code and tool suites can be completely re-used without modification – giving you the freedom to design platform-based systems without the associated cost penalty. The PIC16F6�1 provides a cost-effective entry point for migration from 8- and 14-pin devices, while the PIC16F677 brings affordable hardware I2C™ & SPI capability to the small Flash microcontroller market. Full compatibility with Microchip’s latest Mid-range architecture PIC® microcontrollers also makes the pair an excellent choice for upward migration to add more functionality or cost reduction of existing 20-pin designs.

The new microcontrollers are an extension of the PIC16F685/687/689/690series, and can be used as “drop-in” replacements for their more feature-rich counterparts. Both devices employ the following features: nanoWatt technology for minimum power consumption in battery-powered applications; dual analog comparators with S/R latch mode to eliminate the need for discrete components; and In-Circuit Serial Programming™ technology for field programmability. These enhancements serve to simplify the design of increasingly complex embedded-control systems.

Could your current 8-, 14- or 20-pin design use more functionality?The new PIC16F631 and PIC16F677 microcontrollers serve a broad market, including battery-powered devices (security systems, smoke and CO detectors, handheld devices), appliances (deep fryers, washers, dryers) and power conversion (power supplies, DC/DC converters, battery chargers).

Key features include:

Both Microcontrollers■ Up to 3.5 Kbytes of Program Flash memory■ Up to 128 bytes of RAM memory■ Wide range of internally generated clock frequencies (31 kHz to 8 MHz)■ Two comparators with set-reset latch mode■ 0.6 Volt internal bandgap reference■ Ultra-low-power wake up■ Enhanced low-current Watchdog Timer■ Enhanced low-power Timer 1 with gate control■ In-Circuit Serial Programming™ technology■ Brownout Reset with software-control option■ Up to 18 I/O Pins■ 4x4 QFN package options for space savings

PIC16F677 Only■ 12-channel, 10-bit ADC■ SPI and I2C™ support with address mask option

These two new devices are supported by the full suite of Microchip’s development tools, including the PICkit™ 2 Starter Kit, the free MPLAB® IDE Integrated DevelopmentEnvironment, and the low-cost MPLAB ICD2In-CircuitDebugger.

FormoreinformationaboutthePIC16F6�1andPIC16F677visitwww.microchip.com/StartNow

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In model aircraft parlance, kit bashing is defined as the practice of using the materials from a kit for one aircraft to build a similar, but different aircraft. So, bit bashing is the process of using the features of one or more simple peripherals to build a more complex custom peripheral.

This month’s Bit Bash: 2B + !2B, that is the questionIf you need a logic gate,use a voltage comparator is my suggestion

So there you are, designing a cost sensitive product. Things are going well; your code fits in the smallest memory size, the microcontroller has plenty of I/O pins, the internal oscillator is fast enough for the system’s needs, when suddenly it happens. You need a single logic gate to combine two signals. Worse yet, it has to be real time, so you can’t use the microcontroller. You could dig through catalogs looking for a single gate logic device. Or, you could use that extra voltage comparator on the microcontroller instead. After all, you have already paid for the comparator, you might as well get some use out of it.

But wait! Using a voltage comparator to build a logic gate? An inverter, okay, I can understand how it can do that, but what if I need an AND gate, or an XOR gate, or even a flip flop? Can a voltage comparator do that?

The answer is yes, you can make an AND, NAND, OR, NOR, XOR, XNOR, or even a SR flip flop out of a voltage comparator. The propagation delay may be a bit slow, typically in the 250 to 350 nS range depending on the speed of the comparator, but the comparator is just sitting there anyway, right?

So, how do we do it? Well, let’s start with the easy one, the inverter. Figure 1 shows the simple setup for an inverter. R1 and R2 should be equal in value, and large enough to not draw excessive current. Typically a 1K to 10K inverter works well for a 5V system. The only restriction is that R1 and R2 be chosen to put the non-inverting input between the VIL and VIH limits for the incoming logic signal. If the part has an internal CVREF, that’s even better because it saves two resistors and an extra pin.

Bit Bashing; The practice of combining peripherals, external components and firmware to create a new function, feature or peripheral (slang)

Continued on next page...

Figure 1: Voltage Comparator Inverter

Okay, that one was fairly obvious, but what about AND & OR gates? Well, oddly enough, they both use the same schematic. See Figure 2.

R3 and R4 should be the same value and should be chosen to limit the current when one input is high and the other is low. The differentiation between the AND & OR is the choice for R1 and R2.

If the value of R1 is one-half the value of R2, then the gate is an AND gate, since the trip voltage on the inverting input of the comparator is now two-third VDD, If A is high and B is low, the resulting input to the non-inverting input is only one-half VDD. To set the output high, both A and B must be high, which puts the non-inverting input above the inverting and sets the output.

If the value of R1 is twice the value of R2, then the gate is an OR gate. This is because the trip voltage on the inverting input of the comparator is now one-third VDD and if either A or B, or both are high, the non-inverting input would be at one-half VDD or greater, driving the output high.

To turn either gate into its inverting version (NAND & NOR), swap the inverting and non-inverting inputs. See Figure 3.

Okay, those were relatively simple, just a matter of choosing a couple of resistors and whiz bang, you have a logic gate. But what about a more complicated gate, like an XOR? How do you create an exclusive OR gate out of a single voltage comparator?

While it does take a few more components, it can still be done with a single comparator. See Figure 4. Start by setting R4 to a reasonable pull-up resistor value, such as 1K to 10K. R1, R2 and R3 are all equal and chosen to limit the current when either or both inputs are high. Again, a 1K to 10K works for a 5V system.

Figure 2: Voltage Comparator AND & OR Gates

Figure 3: Voltage Comparator-based NAND & NOR Gates

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Bit Bashing continued from previous page...

FormoreinformationaboutthisBitBashingarticle,contacttheauthoratkeith.curtis@microchip.com

So, how does it work? If A is high and B is low, then the inverting input is held at 0.7V above ground by D2. The resistor divider formed by R1, R2 and R3 puts the voltage at the non-inverting input at about one-third VDD. This puts the non-inverting input at 1.6V, which is above the inverting input and the output is high. The same is true if A is low and B is high. However, if both A and B are high, then the inverting input is pulled to VDD and the resistor divider only generates two-third VDD on the non-inverting input and the output remains low. The values should work for CMOS levels, such as the 74HC family. With only minor juggling of the values for R1, R2 and R3, even straight TTL logic levels will work.

As before, swapping the inverting and non-inverting inputs create the inverting version XNOR.

Pretty cool, huh? But what about the flip flop? A JK flip flop may be a little beyond the capabilities of a single voltage comparator, but we can make a Set-Reset flip flop. See Figure 5. All five resistors should be the same value, again typically 1K to 10K for a 5V system.

The circuit assumes that both the Set and Reset inputs are active low, meaning that a zero on the Set input sets the output, and a zero on the Reset clears the output.

The circuit operates by using hysteresis (positive feedback) from the output to the non-inverting input. If both inputs are high and the output is already high, then the non-inverting input would be at two-third VDD and the inverting input would have one-half VDD, that holds the output high. If both inputs are high, and the output is already low, then the non-inverting input would be at one-third VDD, with the inverting input and one-half VDD, which continues to hold the output low. So, with no inputs, the circuit is stable in either state.

If the output is low and the Set input is pulled low, the voltage at the inverting input drops to 0.7V, which is lower than the one-half VDD present on the non-inverting input. This results in the output going high, just as it should.

If the output is high and the Reset input is pulled low, the voltage at the non-inverting input is pulled down to 0.7V, which is lower than the one-half VDD on the inverting pin, and the output goes low.

Figure 4: Voltage Comparator-based XOR Gate

Figure 5: Voltage Comparator based Set-Reset Flip Flop

If the output is high, and the Set input is pulled low, the voltage on the inverting input is pulled down to 0.7V, which is lower than the one-half VDD on the inverting pin, and the output stays high.

And finally, if the output is low, and the Reset input is pulled low, the voltage on the non-inverting input is pulled down to 0.7V, which is lower than the one-half VDD on the inverting input and the output remains low, as it should.

The only problem occurs when both the Set and Reset inputs are both pulled low at the same time. This pulls both the inverting and non-inverting inputs to 0.7V and the output is unknown. However, even though the circuit does have a limitation, it should be noted that two cross-coupled NAND gates (SR flip flop) also have the same problem, so the comparator version of the flip flop is still just as valid as the NAND gate version.

And there you have it, a single voltage comparator implementation of an AND, NAND, OR, NOR, XOR, or XNOR gate, as well as a SR flip flop. Of course, they do require a few external components, but if you have the comparator, they are certainly cheaper than adding another IC.

MicrochipTechnology’sGreshamFabReceivesOregonGreenPermit

This ten-year permit given by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is designed to distinguish facilities for creatively solving environmental problems, the Oregon Green Permit recognizes companies that develop comprehensive environmental management systems and involve employees at all levels in a facility’s environmental performance. This is only the fifth Oregon Green Permit issued to a manufacturing facility since the program’s inception in 1997.

In order to earn the permit, Microchip’s Gresham Fab (known as “Fab 4”) was required to establish an ISO 14001-compatible Environmental Management System (EMS) comprised of a cross-functional group of Fab 4 employees. In addition to the administrative efforts associated with establishing and implementing the EMS, there are work instructions for all departments for the tasks associated with regulatory compliance.

Through proactive, continuous improvement, Microchip rebuilt its Fab 4 wastewater treatment system, and a corporate decision on waste disposal now enables over 99.5 percent of the hazardous waste generated to be utilized for fuel blending, incineration or neutralization. Microchip also identified certain waste streams suitable for substitution with other companies, and it increased its waste-reduction efforts through recycling. This reduced the amount of general trash going to landfills from the facility by 35 percent. Additionally, the facility reduced industrial waste (measured in pounds of waste per employee, per day) by 47 percent, and ongoing chemical reduction projects have enabled Microchip to cut back its chemical use in Fab 4.

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Need a low-cost service to program your PIC® microcontrollers? With no minimum order quantity required, Microchip’s Production Programming Service through microchipDIRECT is your answer!

Now you can enjoy quick and inexpensive production programming of Microchip’s PIC® microcontrollers through microchipDIRECT.

The process is simple. Once you upload your application code into your secure FTP account, place your PIC microcontroller order through microchipDIRECT, apply the appropriate code to your order and Microchip does the rest.

Working directly with Microchip gives you more control of your project development by eliminating unnecessary steps within your design cycle and ultimately provides you with fast time-to-market.

Microchip’s Production Programming Service allows you to upload your application code and request verification sample orders, so that you may make certain your code works properly with the associated PIC microcontrollers within your platform. Once you have completed the verification process, you can place orders through microchipDIRECT and have your PIC microcontrollers programmed with your code as part of your order.

Coming soon to the Production Programming Service are new

features for custom labeling and ink-dot capabilities!

Benefits of Production Programming through microchipDIRECT:• Seamlessly integrated

into your microchipDIRECT account

• Code verification service prior to production

• One-stop point-of-purchase for product and production programming

• Cost-effective

• No unit minimum order requirements

• Quick-turn fulfillment (programmed orders typically ship within 48 hours)

• Available to all customers through microchipDIRECT

Formoreinformationvisithttp://www.microchip.com/Programming

To meet the stringent design requirements placed on our customers, the following innovative programming options are offered:

FLASH (ELECTRICALLY REPROGRAMMABLE): Flash PIC microcontrollers allow erasing and reprogramming of the program memory in the microcontroller. Reprogrammability offers a highly flexible solution to today’s ever-changing market demands and can substantially reduce time-to-market. You can program your systems late in the manufacturing process or update systems in the field. This allows easy code revisions, system parameterization or customer-specific options with no scrappage. Reprogrammability also reduces the design verification cycle.

ONE-TIME PROGRAMMABLE (OTP): OTP PIC microcontrollers are manufactured in high volumes without customer-specific software and can be shipped immediately for custom programming. This is useful if you need rapid time-to-market and flexibility for frequent software updates.

IN-CIRCUIT SERIAL PROGRAMMING™ (ICSP™): Microchip’s Flash and OTP PIC microcontrollers feature ICSP capability, which allows the microcontroller to be programmed after being placed in a circuit board, offering tremendous flexibility, reduced development time, increased manufacturing efficiency and improved time-to-market. This popular technology enables reduced cost of field upgrades, system calibration during manufacturing and the addition of unique identification codes to the system. Requiring only two I/O pins for most devices, Microchip offers the most non-intrusive programming methodology in the industry.

SELF-PROGRAMMING: Some of Microchip’s Flash microcontroller families, like the PIC16F87X family, feature a self-programming capability to enable remote upgrades to the Flash program memory and the end equipment through a variety of mediums, ranging from Internet and modem to RF and infrared. To setup for self-programming, the designer programs a simple boot loader algorithm in a code-protected area of the Flash program memory. Through the selected medium, a secure command allows entry into the microcontroller through the USART, I²C™ or SPI serial communication ports. The boot loader is then enabled to reprogram the microcontroller Flash program memory with data received over the desired medium. Self-programming is accomplished without the need for external components and without limitations on the microcontroller’s operating speed or voltage.

QUICK-TURN PROGRAMMING (QTP): Microchip offers a QTP programming service for factory production orders. This service is ideal for customers who choose not to program a medium-to-high unit volume in their own factories, and whose production code patterns have stabilized.

SERIALIZEDQUICK-TURNPROGRAMMING(SQTPSM):SQTP is a unique, flexible programming option that allows Microchip to program serialized, random or pseudo-random numbers into each device. Serial programming allows each device to have a unique number that can serve as an entry-code, password or identification number.

MASKEDROM: Microchip offers Masked ROM versions of many of its most popular PIC microcontrollers, giving customers the lowest cost option for high-volume products with stable firmware.

microchipDIRECT

www.microchipdirect.com

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In the book Driving Excellence, Chapter 8, we describe various management styles that obstruct the establishment of a values-based, highly empowered, continuous improvement culture. In last month’s article, I described two of these management styles. Managers can have a very large influence (positive or negative) on the performance of employees. Therefore, I decided to use this month’s column in describing four more management styles that negatively affect employee performance. Please visit www.DrivingExcellence.biz to order your copy of the book and learn about all 11 management styles that can become barriers.

The “Politics Is My Game” ManagerDescriptionThis represents the manager who can be characterized by a strong personality and high ego – a manager who spends too much time playing politics with rivals. This management style kills employee empowerment because it teaches employees to spend their time accumulating and wielding power rather than on making improvements and being team players. It shifts the “fight” from the company’s competitors to each other.

AdviceIf you are this type of manager, you must begin your development by looking within. You need to discover why you have these personality traits, how they have benefited you, and how they are now limiting your goals. Reflect on the values you are role modeling: that spending time playing politics is more important than accomplishing the work and that teamwork is not necessary.

You need to start seeing the world differently. You can gain even better results by distributing power, rather than accumulating it. Your pride should stem from being the best manager you have ever met.

The “I Don’t Have Time to Communicate” ManagerDescriptionThis represents the manager who is always too busy to see employees or provide adequate communication to the organization. For empowerment to work, it requires lots of communication. If managers aren’t willing to spend the time necessary to effectively communicate with employees, they shouldn’t engage in employee empowerment. They make the employees anxious and may find the employees’ results unsatisfactory.

AdviceIf you can’t find the time to communicate important information to your employees, or they complain about the lack of communication, you may require additional structure. Make communication part of your normally scheduled activities. Generate and publish a schedule for one-on-one, staff and department meetings with employees. This makes it harder to cancel the communication sessions. Also, devise short meetings on operational topics so that needed discussion occurs. Lastly, establish a culture where people can drop by your office as needed to discuss matters.

The absence of communication can occur if managers don’t understand their role in a values-based, highly empowered, continuous improvement environment.

The “I Need to Lay Low” ManagerDescriptionThis represents the manager who may shortly be retiring, who is on a performance improvement plan or who wants to avoid receiving an additional project or request. In business, we refer to these individuals as “short-timers.”

AdviceGet in the game or get out. It’s not fair to take the company’s compensation and give marginal performance in return. Employees will soon discover your lack of commitment. This poor role modeling decreases the employees’ appetite for expending the extra effort required to maintain an improvement-oriented culture. Managers need to lead by example.

How Managers Become Barriers – Part II

Continued on next page...

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The “I’ll Wait This Employee Empowerment Thing Out” ManagerDescriptionYou may hear this manager say, “There’s lots of talk, but things never change around here.” Or, “It’s just another corporate program that will soon be forgotten, so I don’t need to play the game.” We can understand this person’s mind set. Since it’s rare for companies to change enough input variables to affect the status quo, lasting change is seldom achieved. They have seen countless corporate initiatives that have been implemented but that subsequently fade away. Therefore, they have decided to neither accept nor reject senior management’s push for employee empowerment and non-stop continuous improvement, but rather to skeptically wait and see if they’re serious this time.

AdviceIf this describes your management style, you are reducing your opportunity for career advancement. The managers who stand on the sidelines are never fast-tracked. You must put your skepticism aside and try employee empowerment and continuous improvement. You will like the results.

About twelve years ago, I recorded a videotaped message for the employees. In the video I said, “There are three kinds of people in this world. There are the first kind, who make things happen. These are the individuals who get involved, change things and constantly keep up with the best in the world. Then there are the second kind, who watch while things are happening. These are the individuals who don’t tend to get involved and always have a wait-and-see attitude. Then there are the third kind, who wonder what really happened. The formula for world-class success changes right in front of their eyes, but they can’t change fast enough to keep pace. Managers need to belong to the first group: individuals who make things happen.”

During my years at Microchip and previously at Intel®, I have come across numerous executives and managers fitting many of the management styles described in this chapter of the book. The role of the CEO and human resources executive is to monitor, track, guide, develop and mentor the executives to avoid these negative styles and adopt the most effective management style for the particular situation.

– Steve Sanghi, President and CEO of Microchip Technology Inc.

Continued from previous page...

Formoreinformationvisit:http://www.drivingexcellence.biz/

FormoreinformationaboutLearCorporation,visittheirwebsiteathttp://www.lear.com

Microchip is One of Only Ten Global Suppliers Honored for Outstanding Performance by Leading Automotive Tier 1 Company

Lear Corporation, one of the world’s largest suppliers of automotive interior systems and components, has selected Microchip as one of ten global recipients of the 2005 Lear Supplier Hall of Fame Award from a pool of more than 3,200 companies. Microchip received this honor due to its outstanding business performance in providing Lear with world-class components and services.

Now in its eighth year, Lear’s Annual Hall of Fame Supplier Awards Program recognizes those suppliers who demonstrate excellence in quality, delivery, service and competitiveness. The winning suppliers for 2005 were determined by using the Lear Supplier Rating System.

“Microchip has provided Lear with a high level of quality and outstanding customer support. Microchip’s commitment to lower total systems costs and its global manufacturing footprint have made it a key contributor to the success of multiple critical launches for Lear over the past 12 months. Furthermore, Lear’s success with its own customers in automotive electronics is due in a large part to the outstanding support we have received from Microchip.” – Bob Rossiter, Lear Corporation Chairman and CEO

“At Microchip, customers have always been our focus,” said Steve Sanghi, Microchip president and CEO. “Receiving Lear’s highest supplier honor is deeply gratifying, as it proves the effectiveness of Microchip’s ongoing efforts to exceed customer expectations.”

Microchip Technology Honored by Lear Corporation as Hall of Fame Supplier

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Microchip Around TownMicrochip is also participating in the following events:Antenna Systems & Short Range Wireless Conference September 6–7, 2006Washington, DChttp://www.antennasonline.com/ast_conf2006_index.htm

Join Dr. Youbok Lee, Microchip’s Technical Staff Engineer as he presents a paper entitled “Microcontroller-based, Smart Transponder Device for Reliable, Secure Hands-Free Keyless-Entry Applications.” Utilizing system design application examples, learn how features of transponder devices, such as multiple antenna input channels -- with an orthogonally placed antenna connected to each, enable the transponder to receive and transmit signals from all directions.

Corporate Applications Engineer, Gurinder Singh is also presenting a paper entitled “Short-Range, High Data-Rate Wireless USB” which covers USB solutions and complete implementation of a wireless USB system – including the MAC and PHY layers.

Darnell Group Digital Power Forum September 18–22, 2006Richardson, TXhttp://www.darnell.com/digitalpower/schedule

Principal Applications Engineer, Keith Curtis is scheduled to present a paper entitled “Advances in Microcontroller Peripherals Facilitate Current Mode for Digital Power Supplies” on Wednesday, September 20 from 8:30 to 10 AM.

From 10:15 AM to 12:15 PM, join Applications Engineer, Justin Milks as he presents a paper entitled “Small Microcontrollers Add Big Functionality.”

Power Systems WorldOctober. 24–26, 2006Long Beach, CA http://home.powerelectronics.com/conference/Tuesday_Oct_24_2006/

Microchip’s Bill Hutchings is scheduled to present a paper entitled “Achieving High-Performance, Reliable Digital Power Supplies” on October 24 during the 8:30 to 9:30 AM session. Learn practical tips to achieve these goals, beginning with the selection of the appropriate hardware architecture.

Steve Bowling is scheduled to present a paper entitled “Adding Intelligence to Lighting Applications” at the same time. Learn how the addition of a small, low-cost microcontroller increases lighting system control and efficiency, and provides many other benefits for lighting systems.

Electronica Embedded ConferenceNovember 13–15, 2006Munich, Germany http://www.global-electronics.net

Fanie Duvenhage, Engineering Group Manager for Microchip’s Security, Microcontroller and Technology Development division, is scheduled to present a paper entitled “Small Microcontrollers Provide Cost-Effective ‘Housekeeping for Large Systems.” Learn practical examples (including demonstrations) of the functions that small microcontrollers can perform in larger computing systems to reduce total system cost and provide a more flexible alternative to general system management functions.

Join Keith Curtis as he presents a paper entitled “Multitasking Without an RTOS” demonstrates a design methodology for writing multitasking embedded firmware and techniques for building and testing the blocks, explore integration testing and examine the conversion of the finished blocks into library functions.

Advanced Motor Control Techniques Workshop

Toregisterforthisworkshopvisithttp://www.e-driveonline.com/motors_conf_registration.htm

Are you interested in advanced motor-control techniques for your designs? Mark your calendar for February 6, 2007 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM and attend the Motor & Drive Systems pre-conference workshop presented by Microchip’s Technical Training Manager, John Magrane. This workshop presents example motor control applications for variable-speed brushless DC, AC-induction and switched-reluctance motors using Microchip’s 8- and 16-bit PIC® microcontroller, dsPIC® digital signal controller and analog products. The workshop provides a review of many PIC microcontroller architectures, with emphasis on peripherals that are specifically integrated for motor control. Learn techniques and algorithms for forced commutation, variable-speed control, noise reduction, extending speed range with phase-advance phase control, sensorless control and much more.

Attendees receive several Microchip motor control development tools, including a demonstration board, a copy of the MPLAB® IDE Integrated Development Environment,

Microchip’s Motor Control Graphical User Interface, a demonstration version of the MPLAB C30 C compiler and additional firmware.

Early Bird Registration before January 12th - $495

After January 12th - $695

Save $200 per registration with team discounts

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Introducing the PICkit™ 2 Debug ExpressThe PICkit™2DebugExpress allows in-circuit debugging to help you run, halt and single-step your program while a PIC® microcontroller is embedded in the hardware. Once halted, the file registers may be examined and modified — allowing you to debug the firmware and hardware together.

This low-cost starter kit is designed to help you get up to speed quickly using PIC microcontrollers and offers an easy-to-use interface for debugging and programming. It comes with everything you need to program, evaluate and develop applications, including a development board that contains Microchip’s 44-pin PIC16F917 Flash microcontroller.

Instructions and all source code are provided in a series of twelve lessons that cover I/O, interrupts, A/D converters, data tables and timers with an additional lesson covering debugging features.

Microchip’s powerful MPLAB® Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is a seamless, integrated software development environment that includes a MPASM™ macro assembler, MPLAB SIM software simulator with symbolic debugger, color-coded source editor, project manager with high-level language debugging and concurrent support for development tools, including low-cost in-circuit debuggers, full-featured real-time emulators and programmers. The consistent and easy-to-use graphic user interface of the MPLAB IDE desktop allows for rapid switching between development, debugging and programming modes within a project.

The PICkit 2 Debug Express provides basic MPLAB ICD 2 in-circuit debugging integrated with MPLAB IDE and offers the following functions: • Programming • Reset • Run • Halt • Single step • Animate • Single breakpoint • Examine/change file registers

The PICkit 2 Debug Express (DV164121) bundles the PICkit 2 Device Programmer with a 44-pin demo board. The board includes a PIC16F917 TQFP pre-soldered device and a generous surface mount prototyping area. Tutorials in the User’s Guide demonstrate the debugging features implemented.

If you already own a PICkit 2 Device Programmer (PG164120), you may wish to purchase only the new 44-pin demo board (DM164120-2) for evaluation.

The PICkit 2 Debug Express features:• Microchip’s 44-pin demo board with PIC16F917 Mid-range PIC

microcontroller• Easy-to-use Windows® programming of select Flash-based PIC

microcontrollers• Twelve sequential lessons written in Assembly demonstrate how to use

Microchip’s 20-pin Flash family of microcontrollers.• Lesson included for the PIC16F917 debug features• Technical documentation CD including: – PICkit 2 Device Programmer User’s Guide – Low Pin Count Demo Board User’s Guide – Tips ‘n Tricks Booklets – Selected Application Notes• FREE! Microchip’s MPLAB IDE software for a complete code development

environment• FREE! HI-TECH PICC™ LITE C Compiler (contained on the MPLAB IDE CD)• FREE! CCS PCB C Compiler (contained on the MPLAB 7.41 or greater)

Formoreinformationaboutthisnewdevelopmenttool,visitwww.microchip.com/StartNow

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What’s New in Microchip Literature? Click on a Document Title to view the document.

Doc. Type Doc. Title DS No. Printed/Web

Application Note

AN897, Thermistor Temperature Sensing with MCP6S2X PGA DS00897C web

AN1012, PIC16HV785: Programmable Lithium, Nickel Battery Charger Application Note DS01012B web

AN1030, Load Cell & Resistive Bridge Applications for the MCP3551 DS01030A web

AN1043, Unique features of the MCP23XXX GPIO Expanders DS01043A web

Data Sheet

TC2014 LDO Data Sheet DS21662E web

TC2054 LDO Data Sheet DS21663C web

MCP6541/2/3/4, Push-Pull Output Sub-Microamp Comparator DS21696D web

24AA32A/24LC32A Data Sheet DS21713G web

MCP6546/7/8/9, Open-Drain Output Sub-Microamp Comparator DS21714D web

TC442XA Dual 3A MOSFET Driver Data Sheet DS21998A web

ENC28J60 Data Sheet DS39662B web

PIC18F85J90 Family DS39770A web

PIC16F631/677/685/687/689/690 Data Sheet DS41262C web

dsPIC30F5011/5013 Data Sheet DS70116F web

dsPIC33F Family Data Sheet DS70165D web

PIC24H Family Data Sheet DS70175D web

dsPIC30F1010/202X Data Sheet DS70178A web

Errata

MSSP Errata DS80131E web

SSP Errata DS80132E web

PIC16F688 Rev. A Silicon/Data Sheet Errata DS80181E web

PIC18F2585/2680/4585/4680 Rev. A1 Silicon Errata DS80202C web

PIC18F6310/6410/8310/8410 Rev. B3 Silicon Errata DS80206D web

PIC18F2420/2520/4420/4520 Data Sheet Errata DS80229C web

PIC16F631/677/685/687/689/690 Rev. A Silicon/Data Sheet Errata DS80243E web

PIC18F87J10 Family Rev. A2 Silicon Errata DS80246B web

ENC28J60 Rev. B5 Silicon Errata DS80264A web

PIC16F87XA Rev. B7 Silicon Data Sheet Errata DS80276A web

PIC18F2410/2510/4410/4510 Rev. A4 Silicon Errata DS80277A web

dsPIC33F Rev. A2 Silicon Errata DS80279A web

PIC24H Rev A2 Silicon Errata DS80280A web

PIC18F2525/2620/4525/4620 Rev. B4 Silicon Errata DS80282A web

PIC18F2585/2680/4585/4680 Rev. A3 Silicon Errata DS80283A web

Product BriefMCP1727 1.5A LDO Product Brief DS21997A web

Continued on next page...

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What’s New in Microchip Literature? Click on a Document Title to view the document.

Doc. Type Doc. Title DS No. Printed/Web

Programming. Spec.

PIC18F6XJXX/8XJXX Programming Specification DS39644F web

dsPIC30F Flash Programming Specification DS70102G web

dsPIC33F/PIC24H Flash Programming Specification DS70152C web

User’s Guide

TC72DM-PICTL User’s Guide DS51482B web

TC1047A Temp-to-Voltage Converter PICtail™ Demo Board User’s Guide DS51483B web

MCP6SX2DM-PCTLTH User’s Guide DS51517B web

VSUPEV2 User’s Guide DS51527B web

MCP9800DM-PCTL User’s Guide DS51528B web

ZENA™ Wireless Network Analyzer User’s Guide DS51606A web

MCP355X Sensor Application Developer’s Board User’s Guide DS51609A web

MCP1630 Coupled Inductor Boost Demo Board User’s Guide DS51612A web

Active Filter Demo Board User’s Guide DS51614A web

White Paper CodeGuard™ Security White Paper DS70179A web

IT’STIMETOCONSIDERANEWCAREERAT

MICROCHIPTECHNOLOGYINC.

Microchip is hiring! For more information about available positions, please

visit our web site or send your resume to resumes@microchip.com today!

www.microchip.com/careers

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websiteHIGHLIGHTS

Microchip is committed to supporting its customers by helping design engineers develop products faster and more efficiently. Customers can access four main service areas at www.microchip.com. The Support area provides a fast way to get questions answered; the Sample area offers free evaluation samples of any Microchip device; microchipDIRECT provides 24-hour pricing, ordering, inventory and credit for convenient purchasing of all Microchip devices and development tools; finally, the Training area educates customers through webinars, sign-ups for local seminar and workshop courses, and information about the annual MASTERs events held throughout the world.

Check out the helpful resources available on www.microchip.com!

SUPPORT

SAMPLES

ONLINE ORDERS

TRAINING

Did you know…That application note categories have been streamlined into one screen, making it easier than ever browse for the right application note and source code!

Microchip’s WebSeminars allow you to learn more about our products without having to leave the office!

Check out the upcoming live WebSeminars, as well as some of our archived WebSeminars that are available for you to view whenever you want. Visit www.microchip.com/WebSeminars for more information!