Microchip PIC16F630-I/ST 8-Bit Microcontroller Overview and Application Guide
The Microchip PIC16F630-I/ST is a versatile 8-bit microcontroller belonging to Microchip’s PIC® MCU family, designed for cost-sensitive and space-constrained embedded applications. Housed in a compact SOT-23-6 package, this device combines a high-performance RISC CPU with a rich set of peripherals, making it an ideal solution for a wide range of control-oriented tasks.
At its core, the PIC16F630 features a 8-bit RISC architecture operating at up to 20 MHz, delivering 5 MIPS of throughput for efficient execution of time-critical code. It includes 1.75 KB of Flash program memory and 64 bytes of RAM, providing sufficient resources for many small-scale applications. A standout feature is its 64 bytes of EEPROM data memory, enabling reliable storage of non-volatile data such as calibration constants or user settings without external components.
The peripheral set of the PIC16F630 is robust for its size. It incorporates 12 I/O pins, all of which are programmable with individual direction control. Key peripherals include:
- A precision Internal 4 MHz Oscillator with software-selectable frequencies, reducing external component count and system cost.
- An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with 4 channels and 10-bit resolution, facilitating accurate sensor interfacing for measurements like temperature or voltage.
- Two comparators and a programmable voltage reference, enhancing its capability in analog signal conditioning.
- A timer module with a programmable 8-bit prescaler and an enhanced watchdog timer for improved system reliability.
A significant strength of the PIC16F630 is its low-power management. With nanoWatt technology, it offers multiple power-saving modes, including SLEEP and ultra-low-power Watchdog Timer operation, making it exceptionally suited for battery-powered devices.
Application Guide
The PIC16F630-I/ST excels in numerous applications:
- Consumer Electronics: Remote controls, LED dimmers, and small appliances benefit from its small footprint and low power.
- Automotive: Ideal for simple sensor interfaces, interior lighting control, or basic actuator drives.
- Industrial: Used in simple sequencers, timer controls, and alarm systems due to its reliable performance and analog features.
- Home Automation: Acts as a smart node for reading sensors (e.g., temperature, light) and controlling outputs in IoT edge devices.
Development is supported by Microchip’s MPLAB X IDE and the PICkit™ programmer, allowing for rapid coding and debugging in C or assembly.
The PIC16F630-I/ST is a highly integrated, cost-effective microcontroller that balances performance, power efficiency, and a compact form factor. Its built-in analog and EEPROM features reduce external part requirements, simplifying designs and lowering overall system cost for high-volume production.
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Keywords:
PIC16F630-I/ST, 8-bit Microcontroller, Low-Power Management, Embedded Applications, Analog-to-Digital Converter
