The PIC16F170X/171X family of microcontrollers consists of 11 devices, available in 14, 20, 28, and 40/44-pin packages. It integrates two operational amplifiers for controlling analog control loops, sensor amplification, and basic signal conditioning, while also reducing system cost and board footprint. These new devices also incorporate Zero Cross Detect (ZCD) to simplify TRIAC control and minimize EMI caused by switching transients. Furthermore, they are the first PIC16 microcontrollers with Peripheral Pin Select, a pin configuration feature that gives designers the flexibility to assign pins to numerous peripheral functions. The PIC16F170X/171X microcontrollers are ideal for a wide range of applications, including household appliances, power tools, and electric shavers. Portable medical equipment such as blood pressure monitors, blood glucose meters and pedometers; LED lighting; battery chargers; power supplies and motor control.
The PIC16F170X/171X family incorporates Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs), such as Configurable Logic Cells (CLCs), Complementary Output Generators (COGs), and Numerically Controlled Oscillators (NCOs). These standalone peripherals take the capabilities of 8-bit PIC® microcontrollers to a new level, as they are designed to handle tasks without CPU code or supervision. As a result, they simplify the implementation of complex control systems and offer designers the flexibility to innovate.
The CLC peripheral allows designers to create custom logic and interconnects for their application, reducing the number of external components, saving code space, and increasing functionality. The COG peripheral is a powerful waveform generator that can generate complementary waveforms with precise control of key parameters such as phase, deadband, erase, emergency shutdown states, and failover strategies. It provides a cost-effective solution that saves board space and component costs, for example, for FET control in half-bridge and full-bridge drive circuits for power control and conversion applications. The NCO is a precision linear frequency generator programmable from below 1 Hz to above 500 kHz. It takes a leap forward in performance and simplifies designs that require precise, linear frequency control, such as in lighting control, tone generators, radio tuning circuitry, and fluorescent ballasts.
The new microcontrollers incorporate up to 28 KB of self-reading Flash program memory and up to 2 KB of RAM, a 10-bit A/D converter, a 5/8-bit D/A converter, capture-compare PWM modules, standalone 10-bit PWM modules, and high-speed comparators with a typical response time of 60 ns, in addition to EUSART, I2C™, and SPI peripherals. They also feature XLP technology to achieve typical active and sleep current values of only 35 µA/MHz and 30 nA, respectively, thus helping to extend battery life and reduce standby power consumption.
The PIC16F170X/171X family is supported by Microchip's standard suite of premium development tools, including the PICkit™ 3 (PG164130) priced at $44.95; the MPLAB® ICD 3 (DV164035) at $189.99; the PICkit 3 Reduced Pin Count Demo Board (DM164130-9) at $25.99; the PICDEM™ Development Kit (DM163045) at $134.99; and the PICDEM 2 Plus (DM163022-1) at $99.99. The MPLAB Code Configurator is a free tool that generates excellent, easy-to-understand C code that can be added to a project. It is currently valid for the PIC16F1704/08 models and is expected to be compatible with PIC16F1713/16 in April, and shortly thereafter with the other microcontrollers in the family.
