Microchip Technology Launches 16-bit Embedded Control Design Contest With $15,000 in Cash Prizes Up for Grabs

CHANDLER, Ariz., April 24, 2007 [NASDAQ: MCHP] — Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced that it has partnered with Circuit Cellar Magazine to launch the “Microchip 16-bit Embedded Control Design Contest”. Engineers have until October 16, 2007 to win their share of the $15,000 in prizes and gain international recognition for their ingenuity in designing with the over 90 16-bit PIC24 microcontrollers and dsPIC^® Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) that are commercially available today. Contestants can also win bonus points within the three primary and seven subcategory prize categories by using any of 17 eligible Microchip analog, communication and memory devices in conjunction with a Microchip 16-bit controller.

The first step is to request a free sample kit online at . Sample kits include four 28-pin 16-bit controllers with a wide range of features; 17 bonus parts—including some of Microchip’s best analog, communication and memory devices; and a contestant resource CD containing a full software development suite, including the fully-enabled Special Contest Edition MPLAB^® C30 C compiler, free software comprising application libraries, application notes, code examples, stacks, RTOSs and webinars, and coupons for steep discounts on five different Microchip development tools.

“I’m wowed by the opportunities afforded our audience through the Microchip 16-bit Embedded Control Design Contest,” said Steve Ciarcia, editorial director and founder of Circuit Cellar Magazine. “Not only will our co-sponsor distribute a wide range of chips for guys like me to abuse, I know that the greater design community will have a field day designing with this ubiquitous brand.”

The primary prize categories include $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place and $1,750 for third place. Subcategory prizes consist of the following seven $750 awards:

The eligible Microchip bonus parts, which must be used with one or more Microchip 16-bit controllers, are included in the free contest sample kit and consist of the following:

Analog:

Communications Peripherals:

Memory:

For additional information, visit the contest Web site at .

Microchip Customer Support

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 . 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.

About Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at .