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Designed Using a PIC16F1718 MCU and an ATSHA204 CryptoAuthentication™ IC


Our Hand-Held Nebulizer Design with Secure Authentication Capability Demonstration shows a functional nebulizer design where only the manufacturer’s medicine cup will authenticate with the same manufacturer’s main nebulizer head unit and not with a counterfeit medicine cup. The benefits of authentication are protection for brand name, brand quality, sales revenue, service revenue and from regulatory and legal liability issues.

Nebulizer Development Made Easy


We provide downloadable design files, including schematics, ‘C’ source code and an application note, which can easily be modified to your specific nebulizer application needs. These design files help you develop accessory authentication functionality for nebulizers and other drug delivery devices*. We also offer the hardware you’ll need to start prototyping. Below are devices that we recommend using in your nebulizer design, all of which meet our strict quality standards and come with comprehensive support, all from the same supplier.

Download Design Files 


Start with the free download of the schematics and 'C' source code that can easily be modified to your specific application needs.

This demo Is not for sale. Please download the design files for your evaluation and prototype development. 

These design files help you develop accessory authentication functionality for nebulizers and other drug delivery devices*. 

*Microchip medical reference designs and demos are intended for evaluation and development purposes only. Use of Microchip devices in life support and/or safety applications is entirely at the buyer's risk, and the buyer agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Microchip from any and all damages, claims, suits, and expenses resulting from such us

System Diagram


Product Features


PIC16F1718 8-bit Core Independent/Intelligent Analog MCU

  • eXtreme Low Power (XLP) technology
  • Core Independent Peripherals
  • Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO)
  • Configurable Logic Cell (CLC)
  • Complementary Output Generator (COG)
  • Zero Cross Detect (ZCD)
  • 17-channel 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC)
  • 8-bit and 5-bit Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs)
  • Peripheral Pin Select (PPS)
  • Several packages available including a small ultra-thin QFN (UQFN) package

ATSHA204 CryptoAuthentication™ IC

  • Multi-level hardware security
  • Secure authentication and key exchange
  • Superior SHA-256 hash algorithm
  • Best-in-class, 256-bit key length
  • High-quality hardware random number generator
  • Guaranteed unique serial number
  • 4.5 Kbit EEPROM for key and data storage
  • High-speed I²C and single-wire interface options
  • 1.8–5.5V communications
  • < 150 nA sleep current
  • Secure personalization

PIC12F1572 8-bit MCU

  • Enhanced mid-range core with 49 instruction, 16 stack levels
  • Flash Program Memory with self-read/write capability
  • High Endurance Flash Memory (HEF)
  • 128B of non-volatile data storage
  • Internal clock speeds from 31 kHz to 32 MHz
  • Three stand-alone 16-bit Pulse-Width Modulators (PWMs)
  • Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG)
  • 4-channel 10-bit ADC with voltage reference
  • 5-bit DAC
  • Comparator
  • Several packages available including a small UDFN package

Additional Resources


  • AN4206 - Authenticating Consumables with the ATSHA204A and PIC16 Microcontroller
  • MCP73833 linear li-ion/li-polymer charge management controller
  • 24AA512 512 Kb I²C compatible 2-wire Serial EEPROM
  • MCP2221A USB 2.0 to I²C/UART protocol converter with GPIO
  • MCP7940M I²C Real-Time Clock/Calendar (RTCC) with SRAM

Medical Video Channel


Secure Nebulizer Demo and Design Files