Microchip PIC16F1824T-I/SL 8-Bit Microcontroller Technical Overview and Application Guide

The Microchip PIC16F1824T-I/SL is a high-performance, 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) from Microchip’s enhanced mid-range PIC16F family. Built on an enhanced Harvard architecture with a 14-bit wide instruction set, this MCU balances processing power, peripheral integration, and energy efficiency, making it a versatile solution for a wide range of embedded control applications.

Core Architecture and Performance

At the heart of the device is an enhanced 8-bit RISC CPU core, capable of operating at speeds up to 32 MHz, delivering a throughput of 8 MIPS. Its 14-bit instructions provide improved code density compared to traditional 8-bit cores, while its 16-level deep hardware stack offers robust interrupt handling and subroutine management. The MCU features 3.5 KB of Flash program memory and 128 bytes of RAM, supplemented by an additional 256 bytes of EEPROM for non-volatile data storage, providing ample space for both code and critical parameters.

Advanced and Core Independent Peripherals

A key strength of the PIC16F1824 is its rich set of integrated peripherals, which reduce system component count and cost.

mTouch Capacitive Sensing Module (CPS): Enables the implementation of robust touch sensing interfaces for buttons, sliders, and proximity detection without external components.

Enhanced Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (EUSART): Supports both RS-232 and RS-485 protocols, facilitating serial communication with PCs, sensors, or other modules.

Master Synchronous Serial Port (MSSP): Configurable as either an I²C or SPI interface, essential for communicating with a vast ecosystem of sensors, memories, and display drivers.

Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG): This Core Independent Peripheral (CIP) can generate complementary PWM signals with dead-band control, making it ideal for efficient control of brushless DC (BLDC) motors and other power conversion applications.

Timers and CCP: Includes multiple timers (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) and a Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module for precise timing, waveform generation, and measurement.

Low-Power Management and Operating Characteristics

The device is designed for power-sensitive applications. It features multiple low-power modes, including Idle, Sleep, and Doze. The nanowatt XLP (eXtreme Low Power) technology ensures minimal current consumption in Sleep mode (typically tens of nA), allowing designs to run for extended periods on battery power. Its wide operating voltage range of 1.8V to 5.5V provides flexibility in interfacing with various logic levels and power sources.

Application Guide

The PIC16F1824T-I/SL is suited for a diverse set of applications:

Consumer Electronics: Remote controls, touch panels, and smart home devices leveraging its CPS and low-power capabilities.

Automotive: Sensors, interior lighting control, and auxiliary control modules.

Industrial: Low-cost PLCs, sensor nodes, motor control (using the CWG), and fan controllers.

Internet of Things (IoT): Simple, battery-powered edge nodes that collect data and communicate via serial interfaces.

The device is offered in a compact 14-pin SOIC (T-I/SL) package, which is suitable for space-constrained PCB designs.

ICGOODFIND: The Microchip PIC16F1824T-I/SL stands out as a highly integrated and power-efficient 8-bit MCU. Its blend of core performance, advanced peripherals like the CWG and mTouch, and ultra-low-power XLP technology make it an exceptionally capable and cost-effective controller for modern embedded designs across consumer, industrial, and IoT markets.

Keywords:

1. 8-Bit Microcontroller

2. Enhanced Peripherals

3. Ultra-Low Power (XLP)

4. Core Independent Peripherals (CIP)

5. Touch Sensing (mTouch)