THE MAGAZINE FOR COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
Circuit Cellar Online offers articles illustrating creative solutions
and unique applications through complete projects, practical
tutorials, and useful design techniques.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

Taking a Look at the PIC18Cxxx Series
by David Brobst

Start ý PIC18Cxxx Chips ý Memory ý Data Memory ý Advanced Indirect Addressing ý Deep and Accessible Stack ý Interrupts ý Power-On Features ý Clock Speed ý 10-Bit A/D ý Hardware Multiplier ý Timers ý CCP/PWM ý USART ý I²C Master ý Table Read/Write ý Current Status ý Sources and PDF

CURRENT STATUS

As mentioned earlier, the PIC18Cxx2 family is currently available. Microchip has just rolled out the first devices of the PIC18Cx58 series of chips. These are an extension of the base PIC18Cxxx architecture with integrated CAN 2.0B bus support. When these new PIC18Cxxx chips hit the streets, the PIC18Cxxx family will have as many members as the PIC17Cxxx family.

Because of the programming advantages offered by the PIC18Cxxx family, most of the growth for the high-end controllers will most likely be taking place in the PIC18Cxxx family.

By perusing the hits and misses discussed in this article, a trend can be found. As a group, most of the misses are things that can be worked around or are esoteric. In short, the architectural misses are minor and can be worked through without too great a headache. The hits are, for the most part, bonuses of the chip itself. They are things that imply Microchipýs devotion during the chip specification and design process to achieving a better microcontroller family than is currently offered.

There is some design migration that the PIC18Cxxx family might capture as mid-range designs mature and features are added, but the bulk of design-ins will most likely have to come from other sources, notably engineers using low-end 16-bit processors or other high-end 8-bit controllers.

On the balance, the PIC18Cxxx family is a strong entry into the expanding line of controllers. It will be interesting to watch what happens in the next 18 to 24 months with the PIC18Cxxx family to see if it has as large of an effect on the high-end 8-bit market as the PIC12Cxxx, PIC16C5x, and PIC16Cxxx families had on the low-end market.

PREVIOUS • NEXT