Microchip PIC16F18855-I/SO 8-Bit Microcontroller: Data Sheet and Technical Specifications Overview

The Microchip PIC16F18855-I/SO is a high-performance, low-power 8-bit microcontroller built on Microchip’s enhanced mid-range core (PIC16F1xxx). This device integrates a rich set of peripherals, making it suitable for a wide range of applications including automotive, industrial, consumer and Internet of Things (IoT) systems. Housed in a 28-pin SOIC (Small Outline Integrated Circuit) package, this microcontroller offers a compact footprint while delivering robust performance.

Core Architecture and Performance

At the heart of the PIC16F18855 is an enhanced 8-bit RISC CPU with a 49-instruction set. It can operate at a maximum internal frequency of 32 MHz, achieving 8 MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second). The core features a 16-level deep hardware stack and offers multiple addressing modes, including direct, indirect, and relative addressing, for efficient code execution.

Memory Configuration

The device includes 14 KB of Flash program memory for application code and 1024 bytes of data SRAM for variable storage during operation. A notable feature is the 256 bytes of high-endurance EEPROM for critical data storage that must be retained even when power is cycled, supporting up to 1 million erase/write cycles.

Advanced Peripherals and Integration

One of the key strengths of the PIC16F18855 is its extensive peripheral set:

- Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC): A 10-bit ADC with up to 35 external channels and the Hardware Capacitor Division (HCD) feature for touch sensing applications.

- Timers: Multiple timers including 5x 8-bit and 3x 16-bit timers/counters.

- Communication Interfaces: Supports EUSART (UART), I2C, and SPI protocols for flexible connectivity with sensors, memory and other peripherals.

- Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG): A key feature for motor control and power conversion applications, allowing generation of complementary PWM signals with dead-band control.

- Memory Access Partition (MAP): Enhances bootloader and application security by partitioning program memory.

- Peripheral Pin Select (PPS): Allows digital peripheral functions to be remapped to other pins, offering superior design flexibility for PCB layout.

Operating Characteristics

The microcontroller operates over a wide voltage range (1.8V to 5.5V) and an industrial temperature range of -40°C to +85°C. It is designed for low-power operation, featuring multiple power-saving modes like Idle, Doze, and Sleep, which are crucial for battery-powered applications.

Development Support

Designers can leverage Microchip’s comprehensive MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and the PICkit™ 4 or MPLAB Snap debuggers for code development and hardware debugging. The extensive peripheral set is supported by dedicated libraries within the MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC), a graphical tool that accelerates firmware development.

ICGOODFIND: The PIC16F18855-I/SO stands out as a highly integrated and flexible 8-bit microcontroller solution. Its combination of robust processing capabilities, a rich set of advanced peripherals, and excellent low-power performance makes it an ideal choice for developers tackling complex embedded designs in cost-sensitive and power-constrained markets.

Keywords:

1. 8-Bit Microcontroller

2. Enhanced Mid-Range Core

3. Peripheral Pin Select (PPS)

4. Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG)

5. Low-Power Operation