Nuts and Volts - April 2014

LOW PIN COUNT, GENERAL-PURPOSE EIGHT-BIT PIC FAMILY

EXPANDED

Microchip Technology Inc., has announced expansion of its eight-bit PIC microcontroller (MCU) portfolio, with the peripheral-rich, low pin count PIC16(L)F161X family. These new MCUs expand the offering of Microchip’s Core Independent Peripherals (CIP) which offload timing-critical and core-intensive tasks from the CPU, allowing it to focus on other application tasks.

Additionally, this family integrates fault-detecting hardware features to assist engineers in developing safety-critical applications.

The PIC16(L)F161X family offers a variety of key features, including the Windowed Watchdog Timer (WWDT) which monitors proper software operation within predefined limits, improving reliability. The Cyclic Redundancy Check with Memory Scan (CRC/SCAN) detects and scans memory for corrupted data.

This family also includes a Hardware Limit Timer (HLT) which detects hardware fault conditions (stall, stop, etc.), simplifying closed-loop control applications. These peripherals make it easier for designers to implement safety standards (e.g., UL and class B) or fail-safe operation.

In addition to the HLT, the PIC16(L)F161X features the unique, 24-bit Signal Measurement Timer (SMT). The SMT performs high-resolution measurements of any digital signal in hardware, resulting in more precise and accurate measurements. This is ideal for speed control, range finding, and RPM indicators. Both timers are designed to reduce design complexity by eliminating the need for additional code and external components.

This high level of integration makes these MCUs appealing to a broad range of applications, such as monitoring and fail-safe systems (e.g., industrial machinery, The PIC16(L)F161X family is supported by Microchip’s standard suite of development tools, including the MPLAB® ICD 3 (part DV164035, $189.99) and PICkit™ 3 (part PG164130, $44.95) programmer/debuggers, along with the PICkit™ 3 Low Pin Count Demo Board (part DM164130-9, $25.99).

THREE-WHEEL ROBOT PLATFORM KIT

ServoCity is now offering a new three-wheel robot platform. This kit includes all the mechanical parts needed to build an omni-directional robot. Complete with large 6” diameter drive wheels with rubber lips, it offers fantastic traction. The ball bearing swivel along with the ball bearing supported 4” wheel at the rear enables smooth turning transitions.

The chassis can easily be reconfigured for various applications and accepts all Actobotics™ components. The included motor mounts are compatible with ServoCity’s 3V-12V gearmotors and 6V-12V precision gearmotors (drive motors sold separately). Users can incorporate many types of drive motors by simply switching out the motor mounts. Retail price is US$79.99.