Microchip PIC16F15355-E/SS 8-Bit Microcontroller: Features, Applications, and Development Tools

The Microchip PIC16F15355-E/SS is a versatile 8-bit microcontroller from the enhanced mid-range PIC16F family, designed to deliver a powerful blend of performance, power efficiency, and peripheral integration. Housed in a 28-pin SSOP package, this MCU is engineered to meet the demands of a wide array of embedded control applications, making it a popular choice among engineers.

Key Features

At the heart of the PIC16F15355 lies a robust 8-bit CPU core operating at up to 32 MHz, providing a solid foundation for deterministic control tasks. Its 8 KB of Flash program memory and 1024 bytes of RAM offer ample space for complex firmware. A standout feature is its highly flexible independent peripheral set, including:

Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG): Crucial for advanced motor control and power conversion applications.

Numerous Communication Interfaces: Two I2C/SPI modules and two EUSART modules facilitate extensive connectivity with sensors, displays, and other peripherals.

10-bit ADC with 21 Channels: Enables high-precision analog signal acquisition from multiple sources.

Hardware Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD): Simplifies touch sensing interface design, reducing component count and software overhead.

Low-Power Management: Featuring nanoWatt XLP technology, it is exceptionally suited for battery-powered applications requiring extended operational life.

Applications

The integration of these peripherals makes the PIC16F15355-E/SS ideal for diverse markets:

Consumer Electronics: Used in touch sensing interfaces for appliances, personal care products, and remote controls.

Industrial Automation: Employed in sensor interfaces, fan controllers, and small motor control units.

Automotive: Suitable for body electronics modules like interior lighting control and simple sensor nodes.

Internet of Things (IoT): Acts as a smart node controller in connected devices, managing sensors and communication protocols efficiently.

Development Tools

Microchip and its partners provide a comprehensive ecosystem to accelerate development with this microcontroller. Key tools include:

MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE): The free, feature-rich software platform for code writing, debugging, and programming.

MPLAB XC8 Compiler: The standard C compiler for optimizing code for 8-bit PIC MCUs.

PICkit™ 4 and MPLAB Snap In-Circuit Debuggers/Programmers: Affordable tools for programming and real-time debugging.

Curiosity Nano Evaluation Board (DM164141): An out-of-the-box solution for prototyping, featuring an on-board debugger and easy access to the MCU's pins.

ICGOODFIND: The PIC16F15355-E/SS stands out as a highly integrated and cost-effective solution for modern embedded designs. Its balance of core performance, advanced peripherals like the CWG and hardware CVD, and a mature development ecosystem ensures a reduced time-to-market for a vast range of control-oriented applications, from consumer gadgets to industrial systems.

Keywords: 8-bit Microcontroller, PIC16F15355, Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD), Development Tools.