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For Immediate Release
Editorial Contact:
Eric Sells
Microchip Technology Inc.
(602) 786-7478
Reader/Literature Inquiries:
(602) 786-7668
Web: www.microchip.com
NEW 8-BIT FLASH MCUs FEATURE
MIGRATABLE MEMORY TECHNOLOGY
FOR NEXT-GENERATION DESIGN PERFORMANCE, FLEXIBILITY
CHANDLER, Ariz., Nov. 10, 1998 [NASDAQ: MCHP] – Continuing its leadership in 8-bit
RISC microcontrollers with Flash memory, Microchip Technology Inc. today introduced the
PIC16F877 and PIC16F876 which feature 2.0V operating voltage, 10-bit analog-to-digital (A/D)
converter and the debut of Migratable Memory technology for maximum system performance
and design flexibility.
Migratable Memory technology
Microchip’s innovative Migratable Memory technology provides socket and software
compatibility among all of its equivalent ROM, one-time-programmable (OTP) and Flash
memory microcontrollers. Microchip features the exact same electrical specifications for logic
transistors in ROM, OTP and Flash at 0.7 m. The Migratable Memory technology allows
customers to match the selection of microcontroller memory technology to the product life cycle
of their application, providing an easy migration path to a lower-cost solution whenever
appropriate.
Flash memory is an ideal solution for engineers designing products for emerging market
applications where product specifications can change rapidly, upgrades in the field are required
and the flexibility of re-programmability justifies the additional cost. Once the product matures,
they can easily switch to a drop-in compatible OTP or ROM microcontroller for a lower-cost
solution.
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High Performance Flash Solution
With 8K x 14 bits of cost-effective Enhanced Flash and 256 bytes of EEPROM data
memory, the PIC16F877 and PIC16F876 features the industry’s lowest operating voltage of
2.0–5.5 volts, making them ideal for programmable or battery-powered applications. The
devices also provide a 5- to 8-channel 10-bit (+/- 1 LSB) A/D converter, RS-485 type UART for
multi-drop data acquisition applications, up to 5 MIPS performance at 20 MHz, I2C or SPI
communications capability for peripheral expansion, two 8-bit timers and one 16-bit timer.
Precision timing interfaces are accommodated through two CCP modules: capture at
12.5 nanoseconds maximum accuracy at 16-bit resolution, compare at 200 nanoseconds
maximum accuracy at 16-bit resolution and pulse-width modulation at 20 KHz accuracy at 10-bit
resolution. At 1,000,000 erase/write cycles, Microchip’s Enhanced Flash technology offers the
highest endurance performance in the industry.
Microchip’s PICmicro Enhanced Flash and OTP microcontrollers feature In-Circuit
Serial Programming (ICSP) capability. ICSP allows the microcontroller to be programmed
after being placed in a circuit board, offering tremendous flexibility, reduced development time
and manufacturing cycles and improved time to market. This popular technology also enables
reduced cost of field upgrades, system calibration during manufacturing, the addition of unique
identification codes to the system and calibration of system in the field. Requiring only 2 I/O
pins for most devices, Microchip offers the most non-intrusive programming.
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Applications
Applications for the PIC16F877 and PIC16F876 range from body controllers,
programmable machine controls, network maintenance, feature phones and field-upgradable
pointing devices. Smart sensors can use the enhanced Serial Communications Port (SCI) that
supports the RS-485 multidrop protocol used in distributed control. For IEEE1451 sensors, the
Synchronous Serial Port can be used in the standard SPI mode with software control of the
remaining signals. The performance of the PICmicro architecture allows software to replace
hardware requirements in many applications.
Flash-based microcontrollers continue to grow in usage for selected applications. Flash
memory technology can provide a quick and easy process for maximizing In Circuit Serial
Programming. If the application already has an existing communications structure, the engineer
can use this to program correlation coefficients or unique identification codes into the data
memory. Flash technology also allows users to test and run circuit board diagnostics following
the manufacturing process. Once the board is working, then the final product code can be
downloaded into the system via ICSP. And, systems using Flash microcontrollers can be
reprogrammed in the field with new features, code revisions or service upgrades, if required.
Microchip’s Flash Microcontroller Road-Map
In 1997, Microchip unveiled its road map of future PICmicro 8-bit RISC microcontrollers
incorporating Enhanced Flash memory technology. These new microcontrollers feature a variety
of Flash program and data memory options as well as analog, control, display and
communication peripherals. The PIC16F87X are the first devices sampling from last year’s road
map announcement. The remaining devices will begin volume production throughout 1999.
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“Microchip unveiled this extensive product road map to ensure that embedded control
engineers can design with confidence knowing the PICmicro family delivers the Flash memory
performance required for future market trends at competitive prices,” said Steve Sanghi,
Microchip’s president and CEO. “Microchip offers all varieties of microcontroller program
memory technologies, including ROM, OTP, and Enhanced Flash, so we can provide the most
appropriate microcontroller solution for the customer’s application without limitation.”
Future devices will feature 512 to 8K words of Enhanced Flash program memory and 36
to 368 bytes of data SRAM with 16 to 256 bytes of data EEPROM. Available in 8- to 40-pin
configurations, these devices provide various feature sets of 10-bit 12-channel analog-to-digital
converters; capture, compare and pulse-width modulation; and I2C, SPI, and high performance
USART communications capability.
Flash Microcontroller Leadership
To date, Microchip has shipped more than 17 million 8-bit RISC Flash
microcontrollers—more than any other company. For more than two years, Microchip has
delivered the PIC16F8X microcontroller family which combines the advantages of low cost
Flash program memory, low pin count and integrated on-board high endurance EEPROM data
memory. Today’s announcement extends Microchip’s leadership in 8-bit RISC microcontrollers
with Enhanced Flash memory.
PIC16F877/876 Development Systems Support & Device Pricing
The PIC16F877/876 is supported by the MPLAB-ICE Universal In-Circuit Emulator.
This high-performance real-time in-circuit emulator features the sophisticated MPLAB Integrated
Development Environment (IDE) and interchangeable processor modules allow the system to be
easily configured to emulate different processors.
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ADD FOUR – PIC16F877 8-BIT FLASH MICROCONTROLLERS
MPLAB-ICE emulates voltages as low as 2.0 V and can emulate at full speed. Operating
in the Microsoft Windows environment, MPLAB IDE gives users the flexibility to edit,
compile and emulate all from a single user interface—at no additional cost. MPLAB-ICE ranges
in price from $895 to $1995.
Low-cost PICmicro microcontroller development is provided by PICSTART Plus, the
MPLAB development software suite and a programmer supported by assembler and simulator
software tools. Other support and development tools include fuzzy logic tools, programming
support and a software simulator.
Available in PDIP and PLCC packages, pricing for the 28-pin PIC16F876 is $7.97 each
in 1,000-unit quantities and for the 40-pin PIC16F877 is $8.57 each in 1,000-unit quantities.
Samples are available today with volume shipments planned for first quarter 1999. For more
information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor.
Microchip Technology Inc. manufactures the PICmicro family of 8-bit RISC-based
microcontrollers—with OTP, Flash, and ROM memory technologies; serial EEPROMs and
related specialty memory products; and KEELOQ code hopping devices. These products target
thousands of embedded control applications in the consumer, automotive, office automation,
communications and industrial markets. Microchip’s quality systems are ISO 9001 certified.
Headquartered near Phoenix in Chandler, Ariz., Microchip employs approximately 2,200 people
worldwide and has sales offices throughout Asia, Europe, Japan and the Americas.
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Note: The Microchip name and logo, PIC, PICSTART, PRO MATE and KEELOQ are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in
the USA and other countries. PICmicro, Migratable Memory, ICSP, In-Circuit Serial Programming and MPLAB are trademarks of Microchip
Technology Inc. in the USA and other countries. I2C is a trademark of Philips Corporation. SPI is a trademark of Motorola. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Please note: This news release features advanced information on the
PIC16F877 and therefore the contents and specifications are subject to changed
based on device characterization. For the most current information, please
review DS30292.