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  Microchip  Technology  Incorporated  International
Employee Stock Purchase 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
March 12, 2003