Developing electric motor-control applications tends to be difficult. Microchip's flash-based PIC18Fxx39 family of microcontrollers (MCUs) should change that tune, though. The family's Programmable Motor Processor Technology (ProMPT) motor control can deliver modulated output from 0 to 127 Hz, and it has a predefined variable frequency (V/F) curve that can be programmed to suit most applications. Prices range between $4.28 and $5.15. Chips are available in a range of packages.

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