Microchip PIC16F15355-I/SO 8-Bit Microcontroller Technical Overview and Application Guide
The Microchip PIC16F15355-I/SO is a versatile 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) from Microchip Technology’s enhanced mid-range PIC16F family. Housed in a 28-pin SOIC (Small Outline Integrated Circuit) package, this MCU is engineered for a wide array of embedded control applications, offering a robust blend of core independent peripherals (CIPs), analog integration, and low-power operation.
Core Architecture and Performance
At its heart lies an enhanced 8-bit PIC core with a 16-level deep hardware stack and 49 instructions. Operating at a maximum frequency of 32 MHz, it delivers a performance of 8 MIPS. The device features 14 KB of Flash program memory and 1024 bytes of RAM, providing ample space for complex firmware. A key strength is its Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs), which offload tasks from the CPU, enabling deterministic operation and reducing both power consumption and software complexity.
Key Integrated Peripherals and Features
The peripheral set of the PIC16F15355 is rich and designed for advanced control and sensing:
Analog Capabilities: It includes a 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with up to 35 channels and a suite of analog comparators and op-amps, making it ideal for precision sensor interfacing and analog signal conditioning.
Communication Interfaces: Multiple serial communication modules are onboard, including EUSART (for UART), SPI, and I2C, facilitating easy connection to sensors, displays, and other peripherals.
Timing and Control: It boasts multiple Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) modules and Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) peripherals, perfect for driving motors (e.g., brushless DC) and generating complex pulse waveforms.
Memory: Beyond Flash and RAM, it offers 256 bytes of EEPROM for data storage that must be retained after power loss.
Low-Power Operation: With nanoWatt XLP technology, the device is optimized for power-sensitive, battery-operated applications, supporting multiple low-power sleep modes.
Application Guide
The PIC16F15355's feature set makes it exceptionally suitable for a diverse range of applications:
Consumer Electronics: Smart home devices, remote controls, and gaming accessories.
Automotive: Interior body control modules, sensors, and lighting systems.
Industrial: Motor control units, power converters, and factory automation sensors.
Internet of Things (IoT): Its low-power profile and communication interfaces make it a strong candidate for edge nodes in IoT networks.
Design and Development Support
Development is accelerated by Microchip’s comprehensive ecosystem. The MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and the MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC)—a graphical programming tool—significantly simplify peripheral initialization and code generation. Hardware debugging and programming can be accomplished using tools like the PICkit™ 4 or MPLAB Snap.
The Microchip PIC16F15355-I/SO stands out as a highly integrated and flexible 8-bit microcontroller solution. Its powerful combination of Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs), extensive analog integration, and ultra-low-power capabilities empowers designers to create efficient, reliable, and sophisticated embedded systems for the automotive, industrial, consumer, and IoT markets. Its strong development tool support further reduces time-to-market.
Keywords: 8-Bit Microcontroller, Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs), Low-Power Operation, Analog Integration, PIC16F15355.
