Microchip PIC16LF1847-I/MV: A Comprehensive Technical Overview and Application Guide
The Microchip PIC16LF1847-I/MV is a standout member of the enhanced mid-range PIC® 8-bit microcontroller family, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of ultra-low-power operation, advanced analog integration, and core independent peripherals. This makes it an ideal solution for a vast array of applications, particularly in the battery-powered and portable device market.
Core Architecture and Key Features
At its heart lies the enhanced PIC16F1xxx core with a 49-instruction set and a 16-level deep hardware stack. Operating at a maximum frequency of 32 MHz, it achieves a performance of 8 MIPS. The device is housed in a compact UQFN-40 package, making it suitable for space-constrained designs.
One of its most significant advantages is its ultra-low-power (XLP) technology. The PIC16LF1847 boasts exceptionally low current consumption in all modes:
Sleep mode: 20 nA
Watchdog Timer: 500 nA
Real-Time Clock/Calendar: 600 nA
This exceptional power profile enables designs that can run for years on a single battery.
Enhanced Peripherals and System Integration
The microcontroller is packed with sophisticated peripherals that reduce CPU intervention and system complexity:
Analog Capabilities: It features a 10-bit ADC with up to 17 channels and the innovative ADC with Computation (ADC²) module. This peripheral can perform averaging, filtering, and oversampling autonomously, offloading the core and enabling smarter, more efficient sensor data acquisition. It also includes two 8-bit DAC modules and two comparators.
Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs): A suite of CIPs includes Configurable Logic Cells (CLC), which allow for custom logic functions without code, a Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) for motor control, and a Hardware Limit Timer (HLT) for safety-critical applications.
Communication Interfaces: It supports multiple serial communication protocols, including EUSART (with LIN support), SPI, and I²C, providing flexible connectivity options.
Memory: The device offers 14 KB of Flash program memory, 1024 bytes of RAM, and 256 bytes of non-volatile EEPROM data memory.
Application Guide
The feature set of the PIC16LF1847-I/MV makes it exceptionally well-suited for several key domains:
1. IoT Sensor Nodes: Its ultra-low-power sleep modes, coupled with extensive analog integration (ADC, DAC, comparators) and communication peripherals, allow it to act as a primary sensor hub, processing data and transmitting it wirelessly while maximizing battery life.
2. Portable Medical Devices: For devices like blood glucose meters, pulse oximeters, or portable monitors, the combination of high-precision analog, low power consumption, and robust data handling is critical. The ADC² module is particularly useful for processing analog sensor signals directly.
3. Consumer Electronics: In smart remote controls, wearables, or toys, its small form factor, low power, and ability to interface with various sensors and buttons provide a complete system solution.
4. Motor Control: The Complementary Waveflow Generator (CWG) and multiple timers make it capable of driving small brushed and brushless DC motors efficiently in applications like fans, pumps, and tools.
Development Support
Designing with this microcontroller is supported by a rich ecosystem. Microchip provides the MPLAB® X IDE and the MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC), a free plugin that generates drivers and initializes complex peripherals like CLC and ADC² through a graphical interface, dramatically accelerating development time.
The Microchip PIC16LF1847-I/MV is a highly integrated and power-efficient microcontroller that successfully balances performance with minimal energy consumption. Its standout features, including ultra-low-power XLP technology, the autonomous ADC with Computation, and flexible Core Independent Peripherals, empower designers to create sophisticated, responsive, and long-lasting embedded systems for the IoT, medical, and consumer markets.
Keywords:
Ultra-Low-Power (XLP)
Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs)
ADC with Computation (ADC²)
Configurable Logic Cell (CLC)
Enhanced Mid-Range Core
