science

PIC16x84

PIC16x84 is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand PIC16x84 rather than just read about it. In short: The PIC16C84, PIC16F84 and PIC16F84A are 8-bit microcontrollers of which the EEPROM based PIC16C84 was the first introduced in March 16 1993 at the suggested retail price of $3.72 in quantities of 10,000. It is a member of the PIC family of controllers, produced by Microchip Technology.

Key takeaways

PIC16x84 belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect PIC16x84 to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of PIC16x84 from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

The PIC16C84, PIC16F84 and PIC16F84A are 8-bit microcontrollers of which the EEPROM based PIC16C84 was the first introduced in March 16 1993 at the suggested retail price of $3.72 in quantities of 10,000. It is a member of the PIC family of controllers, produced by Microchip Technology. The memory architecture makes use of bank switching. Software tools for assembler, debug and programming were only available for DOS and Microsoft Windows 3.X operating systems.

Description The PIC16x84 is a microcontroller in the PIC family of controllers produced by Microchip Technology (originally named " Arizona Microchip"). It was Microchip's first microcontroller that utilised "EEPROM" memory technology for the program memory. The use of "EEPROM" technology for program memory has now been disused in favour of "FLASH" memory that is considerably cheaper to manufacture, releases less toxins into the atmosphere and is much more reliable than "EEPROM". Both "EEPROM" and "FLASH" utilise similar forms of "floating gate" technologies to operate. The device features one 8-bit timer, and 13 I/O pins. The PIC16x84 became popular in many hobbyist applications because it uses a serial programming algorithm that lends itself to very simple programmers. Additionally, the PIC16C84 uses EEPROM memory, so it is easy to erase and requires no special tools to do so. The PIC16F84 and its updated version, the PIC16F84A both utilised FLASH program memory. The PIC16C84, PIC16C84A, PIC16F84 and the PIC16F84A all contain an additional 64 Bytes of EEPROM addressed from the "DATA" memory map. This additional memory is intended for use as "user data", hence the reason it can only be addressed from the "DATA" memory mapping.

F-version The PIC16F84/PIC16F84A is an improved version of the PIC16C84, and almost completely compatible, with better program security and using flash memory instead of EEPROM memory for program memory. The PIC16F84/PIC16F84A has 68 bytes of RAM whilst the PIC16C84 has 36 bytes. Since the two chips are so similar they are often referred to by the term PIC16x84 (x is used as a wildcard when referring to chips).

History The PIC16C84 was introduced in 1993 and has been hailed as the first PIC microcontroller to feature a serial programming algorithm and EEPROM memory (it was preceded by the Motorola MC68HC805B6 and MC68HC805C4 along with the MC68HC11E2 with serial bootloader and EEPROM program storage released in the late 1980s). These chips lend themselves to hobby use: only a simple and cheap programmer is required to program, erase and reprogram the chip. As PIC16C84 supplies became limited due to it being discontinued, the PIC16F84 became popular as it is an almost drop-in replacement. New programming software was needed as the programming algorithm is different but the programming hardware required was the same. Even later (1998) Microchip Technology introduced the improved PIC16F84A which allowed for faster clock speeds (up to 20 MHz), faster programming, and decreased the current draw of the chip. The PIC16x84 microcontroller is a member of Microchip's 14-bit series (the instruction word size is 14 bits for all instructions), making the '84 a good development prototype for other similar but cheaper one-time-programmable 14-bit devices.

Recent pin-compatible variants Microchip's product line has gone through many revisions since the 16x84 and more powerful, flexible, cheaper pin-compatible PICs have been developed. Existing PIC 16x84 code may require some modifications for these variants, namely making sure pins with multiple functions have been set up properly.

PIC 16F84A - 1K program memory, 68 bytes data memory, 64 bytes EEPROM, 1× timer (listed as a comparison) PIC 16F628A - 2K program memory, 224 bytes data memory, 128 bytes EEPROM, 3× timers, hardware PWM, onboard 4 MHz/37 kHz RC oscillator. PIC 16F648A - Same as 16F628A with 4K program memory. PIC 16F88 - Nanowatt Technology variant, 4K program memory, 368 bytes data memory, 256 bytes EEPROM, 3× timers, hardware PWM, on-board 8 MHz/37 kHz precision oscillator, 7-input 10-bit ADC, synchronous serial port supporting SPI and I²C. PIC 16F1827 - Nanowatt XLP Technology variant, 4K program memory, 368 bytes data memory, 256 bytes EEPROM, 5× timers, hardware PWM, onchip 32 MHz/31 kHz precision oscillator, 12-input 10-bit ADC, 4× PLL. PIC 16F1847 - Nanowatt XLP Technology variant, 8K program memory, 1024 bytes data memory, 256 bytes EEPROM, 5× timers, hardware PWM, onchip 32 MHz/31 kHz precision oscillator, 12-input 10-bit ADC, 4× PLL. 5-bit DAC. The latter two are 8-bit enhanced mid-range core with 14 additional instructions and optimizations for the C Programming Language.

See also PIC microcontroller Atmel AVR, competitor since 1996 (while PIC's maker bought Atmel in 2016 and now sells these chips too)

References

External links Microchip.com - official website Official datasheet (2001), PIC16F84A Data Sheet 18-pin Enhanced FLASH/EEPROM 8-bit Microcontroller The PIC Tutorials The bare necessity for PIC 16C84 & 16F84 Microchip Microcontrollers. Basics & indispensable info.

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with PIC16x84

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what PIC16x84 claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to PIC16x84 before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about PIC16x84 ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of PIC16x84

In research: PIC16x84 appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses PIC16x84 in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: PIC16x84 is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Microcontrollers, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for PIC16x84 outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study PIC16x84 in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what PIC16x84 means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain PIC16x84 out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is PIC16x84 in simple terms?

Why does PIC16x84 matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study PIC16x84?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on PIC16x84.