Microchip PIC16C926-I/L 8-Bit Microcontroller Technical Overview and Application Guide
The Microchip PIC16C926-I/L is a high-performance 8-bit microcontroller from the widely recognized PIC® MCU family. It is built on Microchip's robust and low-power RISC architecture, offering a compelling blend of performance, peripheral integration, and cost-effectiveness for a vast array of embedded control applications. This device combines the efficiency of a RISC CPU with a rich set of integrated peripherals, making it a versatile solution for designers.
Core Architecture and Performance
At its heart, the PIC16C926 features an 8-bit RISC CPU core that executes a highly optimized instruction set. Most instructions are single-cycle (200ns @ 20 MHz), significantly enhancing code efficiency and throughput. This architecture ensures deterministic operation, which is critical for real-time control tasks. The device includes a substantial amount of on-chip memory, with 8K x 14 words of Flash program memory and 368 bytes of RAM, providing ample space for complex application code and data handling.
Integrated Peripherals for Enhanced Functionality
A key strength of the PIC16C926-I/L is its extensive set of on-chip peripherals, which reduces system component count and total design cost.
LCD Driver: A standout feature is its integrated LCD controller/driver, capable of directly driving up to 16 segments and 4 commons. This eliminates the need for an external display driver IC, making it ideal for consumer appliances, instrumentation, and industrial control panels requiring a user interface.
Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC): The inclusion of an 8-bit resolution ADC with multiple input channels allows the microcontroller to interface directly with analog sensors, monitoring parameters like temperature, voltage, or pressure.
Timers and Communication Modules: It is equipped with multiple timers/counters (including Timer0, Timer1, and Timer2), a Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module for precise waveform generation and measurement, and a Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (USART) for serial communication (RS-232, RS-485, etc.).
Parallel Slave Port (PSP): This 8-bit port enables easy communication with a microprocessor bus, allowing the PIC16C926 to act as a co-processor or a peripheral in a larger system.
Application Guide
The integration of these features opens doors to numerous applications. The built-in LCD driver makes it perfectly suited for human-machine interface (HMI) systems in home appliances like microwave ovens, washing machines, and coffee makers. In the industrial sector, it can serve as a core controller for sensor data acquisition systems, motor control units using its PWM output, and simple process controllers. Its communication peripherals also allow it to function as a smart node in a networked system, reporting data back to a central host.
Packaging and Design Considerations
The PIC16C926-I/L is offered in a 68-pin PLCC package, denoted by the "-I/L" suffix, which is suitable for through-hole mounting. Designers must pay close attention to the device's electrical characteristics in the datasheet, such as voltage requirements (typically 4.0V to 6.0V) and current consumption, to ensure stable operation. Leveraging Microchip's MPLAB X IDE and a hardware debugger is highly recommended for efficient code development and in-circuit debugging.
ICGOODFIND: The Microchip PIC16C926-I/L stands out as a highly integrated solution for embedded control, particularly in applications demanding a direct LCD interface. Its combination of a RISC CPU, versatile peripheral set including a key LCD driver, and reliable performance makes it a powerful and economical choice for developers across consumer and industrial domains.
Keywords:
1. 8-Bit Microcontroller
2. Integrated LCD Driver
3. RISC Architecture
4. Embedded Control
5. Peripheral Integration
