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Microchip has introduced the next generation of its MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) which supports designs based on its AVR microcontrollers. 

This release, MPLAB X version 5.05, will allow designers who traditionally used PIC microcontrollers and developed with the MPLAB ecosystem to evaluate and incorporate AVR MCUs into their applications. 

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Microchip said that design support for additional AVR MCUs will be added in future MPLAB versions. AVR support will continue to be added to Atmel Studio 7 and Atmel START for current and future AVR devices.  

MPLAB X IDE scalable platform has compatibility on Windows, MacOS and Linux operating systems. 

The tool chain has been enhanced with support for Microchip’s code configuration tool, MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC), which can be used to configure software components and device settings such as clocks, peripherals and pin layout with the tool’s menu-driven interface. 

MCC can also generate code for specific development boards, such as Microchip’s Curiosity ATMega4809 Nano (DM320115) development board and existing AVR Xplained development boards.

Another feature is that more compiler choices and debugger/programmer options are also available when compiling and programming AVR MCUs using MPLAB X IDE 5.05. 

Compiler choices include the AVR MCU GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) or the MPLAB XC8 C Compile.  

The majority of development boards available to evaluate and programme AVR MCUs are supported by the MPLAB ecosystem and MCC. Xplained development boards are compatible with START and are now compatible with MPLAB X IDE.  

MPLAB X IDE version 5.05, MPLAB XC8 C Compiler and AVR MCU GCC are available for free on Microchip’s website. 

The MPLAB PICkit 4 (PG164140) development tool is available today priced at $47.95 each. The MPLAB Snap (PG164100) is available today for $14.95 each. 

The ATmega4809 Curiosity Nano board (DM320115) is available today for $10.00 each. For a list of supported devices download MPLAB X IDE.