Microchip PIC16F767-I/SO 8-Bit Microcontroller Overview and Application Guide
The Microchip PIC16F767-I/SO is a high-performance 8-bit microcontroller unit (MCU) from Microchip Technology’s extensive PIC16F family. Built on an enhanced mid-range core with a 14-bit wide instruction set, this MCU combines processing power with a rich set of integrated peripherals, making it a versatile solution for a wide array of embedded control applications. Housed in a 28-pin SOIC (Small Outline Integrated Circuit) package, it is well-suited for space-constrained designs requiring robust performance.
Core Architecture and Key Features
At the heart of the PIC16F767 lies an 8-bit RISC CPU capable of operating at a maximum frequency of 20 MHz, delivering up to 5 MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second). Its 14-bit wide instructions and 8-level deep hardware stack contribute to efficient code execution. A significant amount of memory is integrated on-chip, including 16 KB of Flash program memory for flexible application code storage and 368 bytes of RAM for data handling.
One of the standout features of this microcontroller is its rich peripheral set:
Analog Capabilities: It incorporates a 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with up to 12 input channels, enabling precise measurement of multiple analog signals. It also features two analog comparators for simple threshold detection.
Timing and Control: The device includes multiple timers/counters (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) and two Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) modules. These are essential for generating pulse-width modulated signals for motor control, measuring external signal timing, and creating precise time bases.
Communication Interfaces: For system connectivity, it offers a Master Synchronous Serial Port (MSSP) that can be configured as either I²C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) or SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), and an EUSART (Enhanced Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) for RS-232, RS-485, or LIN bus communication.
Specialized Peripherals: It also includes features like a 5-channel PWM module and a 10-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) module, further expanding its control capabilities.
Application Guide
The PIC16F767-I/SO is engineered for advanced control tasks across numerous industries. Its blend of analog and digital peripherals makes it an excellent choice for:
Industrial Control Systems: Serving as the main controller for sensor data acquisition, process monitoring, and actuator control (e.g., solenoid valves, relays) leveraging its ADC, comparators, and communication ports.
Automotive Electronics: Ideal for body control modules, sensor interfaces, and auxiliary control units due to its robust design and communication capabilities.
Consumer Appliances: Used in smart home devices, power supplies, and appliances requiring user interface control and motor speed regulation via its PWM outputs.
Power Management: The integrated PWM and analog features allow for the construction of sophisticated switched-mode power supplies (SMPS) and battery charging circuits.
Design Considerations
When implementing the PIC16F767-I/SO, developers should leverage Microchip’s MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and the XC8 compiler for software development. The MCU’s nanoWatt technology allows for the management of power consumption through various sleep modes, which is critical for battery-powered applications. Careful PCB layout is advised, especially for the analog sections, to ensure signal integrity and ADC accuracy.
ICGOODFIND: The Microchip PIC16F767-I/SO stands out as a highly integrated and capable 8-bit microcontroller. Its powerful combination of processing performance, extensive memory, and a diverse set of on-chip peripherals makes it a formidable and cost-effective solution for complex embedded designs in industrial, automotive, and consumer markets. Its ease of use and strong ecosystem support further solidify its position as a go-to component for engineers.
Keywords: 8-Bit Microcontroller, PIC16F767, Embedded Control, Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), PWM.
