Microchip provides 32-bit microcontrollers based on the ARM7™, ARM® Cortex™ and Microchip AVR® UC3 architectures. For some customers, the ARM processor is the appropriate architecture with support from an ecosystem of development tools and software vendors. But with the AVR UC3, Microchip is able to offer a microcontroller that differentiates the end application. By offering better DSP and communication performance, and low power consumption, embedded systems engineers will be able to push their next designs further. Atmel FlashVault™ is available on selected UC3 devices, where the customer’s IP can be protected against intrusive attacks and untrusted third parties. AVR UC3 is also backed up by a controlled environment, with more free source code in the Microchip AVR Software Framework, a seamless development environment around Microchip AVR Studio® 5, including free C compiler and assembler. Dedicated AVR debuggers provide fast, powerful in-system debugging. And the AVR support team and hotline is ready to answer questions 24 hours a day. All of this provides a seamless development environment where the different components are integrated and designed to work together. This lets the customer focus on the application and making unique products.