MicroChip Technologies

Manufacturer of PIC Embedded Microcontrollers

Compared to other controllers the PICs:

- Are "Harvard Architecture" and not pipelined. So most instructions take 4 clock cycles (unlike the SXs or z8s) and the clocks range from 4 to 40 MHz.
 

- Come in many (many!) hardware variations to provide different options. (As opposed to other companies that have only a few variations, but the processor is fast enough to implement virtual hardware on the same core chip.
 

- Are VERY popular and enjoy wide support from many sources (like the PICList or MicroChip Forums). Massive volumes of PIC source code can be found here and elsewhere (search for movlw). Clones are also becoming available (SXs, HTs, PIC IP for CPLDs, and others). PICs are here to stay!

Resources

• Beginners Checklist. Steps, tutorials, help, advice.

• Development tools / Languages / Programmers

• Instruction Set Reference

• Routines / Code library including I/O, Math/Func/Conv, Conds/Flow, Time/Clocks/Delays, Mem/Tbls/Data, Interrupts

• PICList. The ultimate PIC resource

  • PICList projects. Good starting projects with lasting value.
  • PICList free PCB contest Your PCB made free by Olimex.com!

• Links

• Books

• Fast Forward Engineering's Answer Page (one huge page. Come on Andy, let me organize one version of it for you.)
• Notes
  • Oscillators (clocks)
  • Unused pins
  • Code Security
  • Power Supplies
  • Traps, Gens and Snares
  • PCLATH and crossing code pages
  • File Registers
  • File Selection Registers
  • Timer Tutorial
  • Schmatic Symboles and Footprints

Related Resources

• Component Suppliers@
• Construction@

Devices

Alternatives

Questions

See also:

• http://www.microchip.com
• http://www.rentron.com/Myke8.htm Using Macros in PIC Assembler languages

See:

• /techref/scenix/lib/io/osi2/crc16ca_sx.htm scenix lib io osi2 crc16ca_sx+
• /techref/microchip/ints.htm PIC Micro Controller Interrupt Routine Library+
• /techref/microchip/icd.htm Microchip Technologies In Circuit Debugger+
• /techref/microchip/seepicsrc/index.htm The PIC Source Book, BASIC STAMP assembly code+
• /techref/microchip/links.htm PIC Links+
• /techref/piclist/jal/start.htm What do I need to get started with JAL?+
• /techref/piclist/pcbcontest.htm PICList free PCB contest+
• /techref/microchip/ios.htm PIC Microcontoller Input / Output Methods+
• /techref/microchip/routines.htm PIC Micro Controller ASM Language Routine Library+

Please post questions on the Questions page.

Comments:

• Clocks range to 48MHz (18F4550) or higher, not 40MHz. James Newton replies: Thanks for the correction. Please note that it is still not pipelined so 48 MHz = 12 MIPS. +

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• prince.parihar at gmail.com " The Most general and popular PIC, PIC18 are Pipelined ...So on an avg 1 INS/Cycle.." James Newton replies: The PIC18 are not pipelined. 48 Mhz = 12 MIPS; a 1:4 clock. The PIC24 series are pipelined, but that is a 16 bit MCU and not code compatible with the 8 bit processors that are the primary focus of this site.+

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• Your site content is great but that slow fade between pages is extremely annoying. James Newton replies: Where are you seeing that effect? I don't...+
   
• check

Questions:

• rakhi20agrawal at gmail.com asks: " sir please tell me what is the cpu speed in MHz if the speed in MIPS.e.g PIC24H series has cpu speed is 40 MIPS.." James Newton of James Newton's Massmind replies: It depends on the specific CPU. If it has a 4 to 1 pipeline then the MIPS will be 1/4Th the MHz. If it has a 1:1 pipeline then the MIPS = the MHz.+

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• Tiens Zietsman of Tiens Zietsman asks: " I'm looking for a quick reference guide/card for the PIC16F877. Has anyone seen one? Please help. I'm tired of flipping through the refernce manual." +

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