Microchip PIC16F15354-E/ML: An Overview of Features and Applications

The Microchip PIC16F15354-E/ML represents a versatile and powerful 8-bit microcontroller within Microchip's extensive PIC16F family. Housed in a compact 28-pin QFN (5x5mm) ML package, this MCU is engineered for a wide array of embedded control applications, balancing performance, power efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

Key Features and Technical Specifications

At its core, the PIC16F15354 is built upon an enhanced mid-range architecture with a 16-level deep hardware stack and 49 instructions. It operates at a maximum frequency of 32 MHz, delivering a performance of 8 MIPS. A standout feature is its extensive memory configuration, offering 14 KB of Flash program memory and 1024 bytes of RAM, providing ample space for complex firmware.

The device is particularly noted for its advanced peripheral integration. It includes:

Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs): These are hardware modules that operate without constant CPU intervention, significantly reducing processing overhead and power consumption. Key CIPs include:

Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG): Outputs complementary signals for controlling half-bridge and full-bridge drivers in power conversion and motor control.

Windowed Watchdog Timer (WWDT): Enhances system reliability by monitoring code execution within a predefined "window" of time.

Hardware Limit Timer (HLT): Provides hardware-based timing for critical safety functions.

Analog Capabilities: It features a 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with up to 35 channels and the Analog-to-Digital Converter with Computation (ADC²) module, which can perform analog calculations in hardware, pre-processing data before it reaches the CPU.

Communication Interfaces: The microcontroller is equipped with multiple serial communication protocols, including EUSART (for UART), I²C, and SPI, making it easy to interface with sensors, displays, and other peripherals.

Low-Power Management: It incorporates IDLE and DOZE operating modes, allowing the CPU to run at a lower speed than the peripherals, optimizing power efficiency for battery-operated applications.

Primary Applications

The robust feature set of the PIC16F15354-E/ML makes it suitable for a diverse range of applications, including:

Motor Control Systems: The CWG, paired with multiple PWM timers, is ideal for precisely controlling brushed DC, stepper, and brushless DC (BLDC) motors in consumer appliances, automotive systems, and industrial automation.

Automotive Electronics: Its robust design, temperature range, and CIPs like the WWDT and HLT make it a strong candidate for automotive applications such as sensors, lighting control, and body electronics modules.

Consumer Electronics: Used in power supplies, battery chargers, and smart home devices where efficient power management and reliable control are paramount.

Industrial Control: The combination of analog integration (ADC²) and communication peripherals allows it to serve as a central controller for sensor interfacing, data acquisition, and control logic in industrial environments.

Internet of Things (IoT) Endpoints: While an 8-bit device, its low-power features and communication interfaces enable its use in simpler, cost-sensitive connected sensor nodes.

ICGOOODFIND

The PIC16F15354-E/ML stands out as a highly integrated and flexible 8-bit microcontroller solution. Its strength lies in its Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs), which offload tasks from the CPU, its advanced analog capabilities with the ADC² module, and its robust set of communication interfaces. This combination makes it an excellent choice for designers seeking to create efficient, reliable, and cost-optimized embedded systems for motor control, automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.

Keywords:

Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs)

Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG)

8-bit Microcontroller

Analog-to-Digital Converter with Computation (ADC²)

Motor Control