Microchip Technology Inc (Nasdaq: MCHP) announced that its MPLAB® XC Pro compiler and MPLAB machine learning (ML) development suite are now available free of charge to customers, giving engineers greater flexibility and broader access to advanced embedded development capabilities. This enables unlimited installations across personal and team environments, allowing developers to accelerate product development while reducing barriers associated with professional software tools.
The free availability of these tools is designed to support developers working on a wide range of embedded applications, from traditional microcontroller-based designs to emerging edge artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. By combining optimized compilation technology and integrated machine learning workflows, Microchip enables engineers to streamline development from initial design concept to final deployment.
“Optimizing the development experience for engineers using Microchip devices remains a key priority,” said Greg Robinson, Microchip’s corporate vice president of development tools, MCUs and wireless business units. “By eliminating license fees and providing free access to high-performance development tools, we are helping our customers overcome challenges and bring innovative embedded solutions to market more efficiently. Developers can now take advantage of advanced compiler optimization and machine learning capabilities throughout the design process.”
Previously available through a paid license option, the MPLAB XC Pro compiler provides advanced optimization features that help reduce code size, minimize memory usage, improve execution performance, and produce architecturally optimized code for embedded systems. These features enable developers to create efficient applications across Microchip’s extensive portfolio of 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) and microprocessors (MPUs).
Microchip’s MPLAB Machine Learning Development Suite Model Builder is also now available for free. Model Builder, available as an MPLAB or Microsoft® Visual Studio® Code (VS Code®) plug-in, allows developers to generate optimized artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) sensor recognition code. The tool supports a fully embedded machine learning workflow, helping engineers deploy intelligent functionality to resource-constrained edge devices while increasing development efficiency.
By extending MPLAB ML support to VS Code, Microchip offers developers broader choice and more flexible workflows tailored to commonly used development environments. This approach simplifies machine learning integration and allows engineers to build edge intelligence solutions using familiar tools.
The expanded free access initiative also includes Microchip’s MPLAB XC functional safety compiler. These TÜV SÜD certified compilers support safety-critical applications and help developers address functional safety requirements. Certification documentation and associated support are still available through paid options if needed, but developers can now begin their safety-focused design efforts without any initial license fees.
Microchip Technology is widely known for semiconductors, embedded systems, and timing solutions used across automotive, industrial, aerospace, communications, and consumer electronics applications. Through continued innovation in frequency control and precision timing technologies, the company aims to support next generation electronic systems that demand higher performance, lower power consumption, and increased operational resiliency.
