Microchip PIC16F(LF)178X brings integrated analog and digital to 8-bit microcontrollers

Microchip used the recent DESIGN West conference in San Jose to announce the expansion of its 8-bit PIC16F(LF)178X enhanced midrange core microcontroller family to include an on-chip 12- or 10-bit ADC, as many as three op amps and four comparators, an 8-bit DAC, and a new PSMC (programmable switch-mode controller). It also includes EUSART, including LIN, I2C, and SPI interface peripherals.


The addition of a PSMC, in this case a 16-bit PWM operating at 64 MHz, helps with closed-loop control in power supplies and lighting, and the LF version features the company's extreme low-power technology for active and sleep currents of 32 µA/MHz and 50 nA, respectively. The combination of PSMC and low power makes the device suitable for its target applications, including LEDs, battery management, digital power supplies, and motor control.

The devices operate at speeds as high as 32 MHz and include an internal oscillator. They come with 3.5 to 14 kbytes of flash, 128 to 512 bytes of RAM, and 256 bytes of data EEPROM.

The PIC16F(LF)1782, 3, 4, 6, 7 microcontrollers are available in 28-pin SOIC, SPDIP, 6×6-mm QFN, and 4×4-mm UQFN packages; 40-pin PDIPs and TQFPs; 8×8-mm QFN and 5×5-mm UQFN packages. Production volumes are available now, and prices start at $1.18 (10,000). For more info, go to www.microchip.com/get/CDGA.

PIC16F178* datasheet