EXHIBIT 23.1


               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the  Registration  Statement on
Form S-8  pertaining to the  PowerSmart,  Inc. 1998 Stock  Incentive Plan of our
report dated April 24, 2002,  except for Note 21 as to which the date is May 22,
2002,  with  respect  to the  consolidated  financial  statements  of  Microchip
Technology  Incorporated included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended March 31, 2002, filed with the Securities Exchange Commission.


                                        /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Phoenix, Arizona
July 19, 2002