Microchip PIC microcontroller range

Microchip has expanded its 8-bit PIC16F(LF)178X enhanced mid-range core microcontroller family to include analog and integrated communication peripherals, such as on-chip 12-bit analog-to-digital converters, 8-bit digital-to-analog converters, operational amplifiers and high-speed comparators, along with EUSART (including LIN), I²C and SPI interface peripherals.

The MCUs also feature PWM control and accuracy via the new programmable switch-mode controllers. This combination of features is said to enable higher efficiency and performance, along with cost and space reductions in applications such as closed-loop control in power supplies and lighting.

The ‘LF’ versions of the MCUs feature eXtreme low power technology, for active and sleep currents of 32 µA/MHz and 50 nA, helping to extend battery life and reduce standby current consumption.

Low power consumption and advanced analog and digital integration make the general-purpose PIC16F(LF)178X MCUs suitable for LED lighting, battery management, digital power supply, motor control and other applications.

Available in 28- and 40-pin packages, the MCUs’ analog integration includes an on-chip 12-bit ADC for small voltage measurements, as well as enabling mTouch capacitive sensing; and an 8-bit DAC for high-resolution voltage references.

Also included on chip are fast analog comparators with 50 nS response time, capture compare peripherals, and I²C, SPI and EUSART interfaces for communications.

Additionally, the MCUs feature a 32 MHz internal oscillator, 2-8 kwords (3.5-14 KB) of flash, 128-512 bytes of RAM and 256 bytes of data EEPROM.