PIC16F873 Flash Microcontroller

Feeding on the success of PIC16F84, Microchip Technologys PIC16F87X series of microcontrollers are destined to make a major impact over 8-bit reprogrammable microcontroller arena. PIC16F87X microcontrollers are built on the popular 14 bit PIC16C core and offer significant improvements over earlier cousins. As this microcontroller module uses only 28 pin devices (PIC16F873 & PIC16F876), only these devices are discussed in context of this article. Some features of these devices are highlighted below.

Memory
16F87X microcontrollers carry a large memory array, which can be divided into three types

Flash Program Memory EEPROM Data Memory Data RAM (SRAM)

Flash Program Memory The entire program memory is made up of flash array. Every single byte of flash program memory can be erased and reprogrammed. This can be done either in a conventional PIC programmer such as economical PICSTART units available from Microchip, or can even be done during an application. And all this can be done by a small user code resident in program memory, without requiring any external higher programming voltage. This level of flexibility is very beneficial in todays fast pace development, where product updates and modifications are routinely carried out in the field. Reading and writing to program memory through user code is done through a set of special function registers (SFRs). The program memory is not limited to storing code bytes, but can also be used to store 14 bit of coefficient constants. An accidental access to an invalid code byte will result in execution of NOP code, without causing any harm. But unfortunately, it cannot be relied upon and care should be taken to ensure that any coefficient bytes are not accessed as program code bytes. The lower of the two devices PIC16F873 has 7168 Bytes (4096x14 Words) of code memory while the other device PIC16F876 has 14336 Bytes (8192x14 Words) of code memory.

EEPROM Data Memory EEPROM data memory is suitable for multiple erase and write operation. This is normally suitable for storing coefficient data, which may be programmed from time to time. The EEPROM data memory is not mapped in register file address space, but is mapped differently, and is also accessed through a set of SFRs. PIC16F873 contains 128 Bytes of EEPROM data, while PIC16F876 contains 256 Bytes. Data RAM (SRAM) RAM availability in microcontrollers is increasing steadily and PIC16F series is no exception. PIC16F873 contains 192 Bytes of SRAM, while PIC16F876 contains a much larger 368 Bytes. The Data memory is partitioned into 4 banks of 128 Bytes each. The lower section (00 to 20H) of each of these banks is devoted to special function registers, and the balance is left for Data RAM. Since PIC16F873 only contains 192 Bytes of Data RAM, these are all contained in the first two banks. Only SFRs are located in the upper two banks bank 2 & bank 3. For PIC16F876 microcontroller containing 368 Bytes of Data RAM, these are spread in all four banks. This device has an interesting feature that the top 16 Bytes of each bank are used to address the same data memory space (70 to 7FH). This reduces the need for bank switching (a real nuisance)

Peripherals
PIC16F87X contains a rich set of on-board peripherals. These include A/D Converter Timers/Counters/PWM SCI IIC/SPI

FLASH PIC Module

Flash module provides a compact target as well as development base for 28 pin PIC16F873 and PIC16F876 microcontrollers. All the external interface lines including, power supply, RS-232, and microcontroller I/O are brought to a dual inline connector on one side of the board. Flexibility of I/O connector makes this module quite versatile. For very simple applications, the connector can be left out and wires directly soldered to the pc board. But, in general a connector offers more flexibility. User has a choice of two types of connectors: a right angle pin connector, and a straight pin connector. Right angle connector is useful for vertical installation in a target application. Straight pin connector is convenient for horizontal mounting of the module either on top or bottom of another interface board. It is also useful in situations, where the module is mounted on a flat panel surface and is connected to interface circuit through ribbon cable.

RS-232 Communication A vast majority of microcontroller applications require a serial communication of some sort. An RS-232 voltage translator IC U2 (MAX232 or equivalent) provides the RS-232 interface. Only three interface lines RX, Tx, and Gnd are used. If for any reason, the module is going to be used in a stand alone application, without any RS-232 communication, these two I/O lines can be used for external interface. In this case, IC U2 need not be installed on the board. A separate 3-pin header provides is provided in addition to the main interface connector. It duplicates the three interface signals Rx, Tx, and Gnd. Power Supply Microcontroller require a regulated 5 volt dc supply for proper operation. A 5 volt regulator (U2) is provided on board. It requires an unregulated dc supply in the range of 8 12 volt. The unregulated dc is applied through the last two pins of main interface connector. The regulated 5 volt output is also available at the interface connector for driving low-power external circuit. Diode D1 protects against accidental reversal of power supply. If a regulated 5 v supply is available then, the 5 volt regulator circuit can be left out. Clock Oscillator PIC16F87X microcontrollers are available for operation at maximum frequencies ranging from 4 MHz to 20 MHz. A popular clock frequency is 4-MHz, which provides a time base of an even 1-microsecond; convenient in timing applications. Module has the provision to use either a ceramic resonator, or a crystal (with two capacitors). Resonator offers lower total cost but at the expense of reduction in timing accuracy. For precision timing, such required at high baud rates, it is recommended that a crystal be used. SPI EEPROM Even though the flash microcontroller contains reprogrammable code and data EEPROM, an external SPI-EEPROM can be installed on the Flash Module for data user storage. It is interfaced to PIC16F87X microcontroller through standard SPI interface pins. Interestingly, the interface does not have to use the hardware SPI facility of microcontroller and can still function using I/O pin manipulation (software SPI). The write-protect and hold functions of EEPROM are disabled by tying these to Vcc. The EEPROM is selected through port pin PA5. Any SPI device, external to Flash Module can still use the built in SPI interface as long as the on-board EEPROM is not selected (set PA5 to high). Any SPI-EEPROM (8 pin Dip) of desired capacity can be accommodated.