Microchip Expands 8-bit PIC Microcontroller Family with Intelligent Analog Integration

Microchip Technology Inc. announced an expansion of its 8-bit PIC16F178X enhanced mid-range core microcontroller (MCU) family targeted at LED and other lighting applications, battery management, digital power supplies, motor control and general-purpose applications. These new MCUs feature increased Flash memory densities, intelligent analog and digital peripherals, such as on-chip 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs), 16-bit PWMs, 8-bit and 5-bit Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs), operational amplifiers, and high-speed comparators with 50-ns response time, along with EUSART (including LIN), I2C™ and SPI interface peripherals.

The PIC16F178X are the first PIC® MCUs to implement the new Programmable Switch Mode Controller (PSMC), which is an advanced 16-bit PWM with 64-MHz operation and high-performance capabilities. This combination of features enables higher efficiency and performance, along with cost and space reductions. The new MCUs also feature eXtreme Low Power (XLP) Technology for active and sleep currents of just 32 µA/MHz and 50 nA, respectively, helping to extend battery life and reduce standby current consumption.

Available in 28- and 40-pin packages, the MCUs’ intelligent analog integration paired with Core Independent Peripherals, inclusive of the PSMC, DACs, Op Amps, high-speed comparators and 12-bit ADC, enable self-sustaining smart control loops with minimal CPU intervention. This allows for optimal application control while freeing the CPU to provide incremental application value, such as system health monitoring, communications, or human- interface control. Additionally, the MCUs feature a 32 MHz internal oscillator, 2 - 16K Words (3.5 - 28K Bytes) of Flash, 256 - 2K Bytes of RAM and 256 Bytes of data EEPROM.

“The PIC16F178X integrates intelligent analog and advanced Core Independent Peripherals, enabling high-performance capabilities within a low cost and versatile 8-bit PIC MCU, lending itself to numerous applications including power supplies, power management, motor control and lighting applications,” said Steve Drehobl, vice president of Microchip’s MCU8 Division. “This level of integration and capability really emphasizes that it is not necessarily all about the core CPU, but rather the capabilities that can be cost effectively enabled.”

Initial evaluation and development of the PIC16F178X family can quickly begin with the F1 PSMC 28-pin Evaluation Board Platform (part # 164130-10, $19.99). Additionally, the PIC16F178X family is supported by Microchip’s standard suite of world-class development tools, including the PICkit™ 3 (part # PG164130, $44.95), MPLAB® REAL ICE™ (part # DV244005), $499.98), MPLAB ICD 3 (part # DV164035, $189.99) debuggers/programmers, and MPLAB XC8 Compiler.

The PIC16(L)F1782/3/4/6/7/8/9 MCUs are available now for sampling and volume production in 28-pin SOIC, SPDIP, 6 x 6 mm QFN, and 4 x 4 mm UQFN; as well as 40-pin PDIP, TQFP, 8 x 8 mm QFN, and 5 x 5 mm UQFN packages. Pricing starts at $1.18 each, in 10,000-unit quantities.