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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
MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY DEBUTS
HIGH-PERFORMANCE 8-BIT FLASH MCUs,
MPLAB IN-CIRCUIT DEBUGGER
CHANDLER, Ariz., March 2, 1999 [NASDAQ: MCHP] — Microchip Technology Inc. today
expanded its PIC16F87X family of 8-bit Flash microcontrollers (MCUs) with the 28-pin
PIC16F873 and 40-pin PIC16F874 which offer highly flexible memory options for maximum
system performance and design flexibility. To support these 8-bit Flash MCUs, the company also
launched the innovative MPLAB In-Circuit Debugger (ICD) Evaluation Kit.
MPLAB-ICD Evaluation Kit
MPLAB-ICD uses the in-circuit debugging capability of the PIC16F87X family and
Microchip’s In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) to debug source code in the application,
debug hardware in real-time and program a target PIC16F87X device. Operating under
Microchip’s MPLAB Integrated Development Environment (IDE), MPLAB-ICD offers real-time
code execution, in-circuit debugging, built-in programmer and 3.0-5.5V operating range.
Components of the system include an in-circuit debugging module, header, demo board and
MPLAB software. Available at $159, MPLAB-ICD shipments are planned for April 1999.
PIC16F873/874 High Performance Flash Solution
With 4K x 14 bits of cost-effective Flash memory and 128 bytes of EEPROM data
memory, the PIC16F873 and PIC16F874 feature a low 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 multidrop 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.
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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. Microchip’s Flash
technology offers the leading endurance performance in the industry at 1,000 erase/write cycles for
program memory and 100,000 erase/write cycles for data EEPROM memory.
Microchip’s PICmicro Flash and one-time-programmable (OTP) MCUs feature ICSP, which
allows the MCU to be programmed after being placed in a circuit board. This offers tremendous
flexibility, reduces development time and manufacturing cycles, and improves time to market. ICSP 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. The PIC16F87X also supports low
voltage self-programming, allowing the user to program the device in-circuit at the user’s operating
voltage. Requiring only two I/O pins for most devices, Microchip offers the most non-intrusive
programming.
The in-circuit debugging feature allows the designer to “emulate” the PIC16F87X MCU without
the need of an in-circuit emulator. The MCU itself is the “emulator.” The in-circuit debugging feature
utilizes the ICSP interface, allowing the user to emulate and program the PIC16F87X through a single
interface. The PIC16F87X, when used in in-circuit debugging mode, requires that two I/O pins be
dedicated to debugging. These two pins are the same as the ones used for ICSP. The in-circuit debugging
interface also requires control of MCLR/Vpp and Vdd for reprogramming the device.
PIC16F873 and PIC16F874 Applications
Applications for the PIC16F873 and PIC16F874 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.
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Flash-based MCUs continue to grow in usage for selected applications. Flash memory technology
can provide a quick and easy process for maximizing ICSP. 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 MCUs can be reprogrammed in
the field with new features, code revisions or service upgrades, if required.
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 MCU for a lower-cost solution.
Migratable Memory Technology
To provide the highest design flexibility possible, PICmicro microcontrollers including these Flash
devices feature Microchip’s innovative Migratable Memory technology, which provides a roadmap for
socket and software compatibility among all of equivalent ROM, OTP and Flash memory MCUs in the
PICmicro family. 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
MCU memory technology to the product life cycle of their application, providing an easy migration path to
a lower-cost solution whenever appropriate.
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Development Systems Support
In addition to the MPLAB-ICD Evaluation Kit, the PIC16F873 and PIC16F874 are supported by
the MPLAB-ICE 2000 Universal In-Circuit Emulator. This high-performance real-time in-circuit emulator
also features the sophisticated MPLAB-IDE. Interchangeable processor modules and device adapters
allow the emulator system to be easily configured to emulate different processors. MPLAB-ICE 2000
emulates voltages as low as 2.0V 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. Pricing for MPLAB-ICE 2000 starts at $1,995. Other support and
development tools include programming tools, a software simulator and fuzzy logic tools.
Pricing and Availability
Available in PDIP and PLCC packages, pricing for the 28-pin PIC16F873-04/SP is $7.39 each in
1,000-unit quantities and for the 40-pin PIC16F874-04/P is $7.99 each in 1,000-unit quantities. Samples
are expected April 1999 with volume production planned for second quarter 1999. Available at $159,
MPLAB-ICD shipments are planned for April 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; microID family of RFID 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 2,050 people
worldwide and has sales offices throughout Asia, Europe, Japan and the Americas.
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Note: The Microchip name and logo, PIC, PICmicro, PICSTART, PRO MATE and KEELOQ are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology
Inc. in the USA and other countries. Migratable Memory, ICSP, In-Circuit Serial Programming, MPLAB and microID 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.