PIC16F8X

The PIC16F8X is a group in the PIC16CXX family of low-cost, high-performance, CMOS, fully-static, 8-bit microc ontrollers.  This group contains the following devices:
* PIC16F83
* PIC16F84
* PIC16CR83
* PIC16CR84

All PICmicro(TM) microcontrollers employ an advanced RISC architecture. PIC16F8X devices have enhanced core features, eight-level deep stack, and multiple internal and external interrupt sources. The separate instruction and data buses of the Harvard architecture allow a 14-bit wide instruction word with a separate 8-bit wide data bus. The two stage instruction pipeline allows all instructions to execute in a single cycle, except for program branches (which require two cycles). A total of 35 instructions (reduced instruction set) are available. Additionally, a large register set is used to achieve a very high performance level.

PIC16F8X microcontrollers typically achieve a 2:1 code compression and up to a 4:1 speed improvement (at 20 MHz) over other 8-bit microcontrollers in their class.

The PIC16F8X has up to 68 bytes of RAM, 64 bytes of Data  EEPROM memory, and  13 I/O pins. A timer/ counter is also available.

The PIC16F8X family has special features to reduce external components, thus reducing cost, enhancing system reliability and reducing power consumption. There are four oscillator options, of which the single pin RC oscillator provides a low-cost solution, the LP oscillator minimizes power consumption, XT is a standard crystal, and the HS is for High Speed crystals. The SLEEP (power-down) mode offers power saving. The user can wake the chip from sleep through several external and internal interrupts and resets.

A highly reliable Watchdog Timer with PIC16F8X's own on-chip RC oscillator provides protection against software lock- up.

The devices PIC16F8X with Flash program memory allow the same device package to be used for prototyping and production. In-circuit reprogrammability allows the code to be updated without the device being removed from the end application.  This is useful in the development of many applications where the device may not be easily accessible, but the prototypes may require code updates. This is also useful for remote applications where the code may need to be updated (such as rate information).

Table 1-1 lists the features of the device. A simpli- fied block diagram of the  PIC16F8X is shown in Figure 3-1.

The  PIC16F8X fits perfectly in applications ranging from high speed automotive and appliance motor control to low-power remote sensors, electronic locks, security devices and smart cards. The Flash/EEPROM technology makes customization of application programs (transmitter codes, motor speeds, receiver frequencies, security codes, etc.) extremely fast and convenient. The small footprint packages make this microcontroller series perfect for all applic ations with space limitations. Low-cost, low-power, high performance, ease-of-use and I/O flexibility make the PIC16F8X very versatile even in areas where no microcontroller use has been considered before (e.g., timer functions; serial communication; capture, compare and PWM functions; and co-processor applications).

The serial in-system programming feature (via two pins) offers flexibility of customizing the product after complete assembly and testing. This feature can be used to serialize a product, store calibration data, or program the device with the current firmware before shipping.