Microchip PIC16F72-I/SP 8-Bit Microcontroller Datasheet and Technical Overview

The Microchip PIC16F72-I/SP is a high-performance 8-bit microcontroller belonging to the PIC16F family, renowned for its robust architecture, versatile peripherals, and cost-effectiveness. This device is housed in a 28-pin SPDIP (Skinny Plastic Dual In-line Package), making it suitable for a wide range of industrial, automotive, and consumer applications. Its core combines a RISC-based CPU with 2K words of Flash program memory, 128 bytes of RAM, and 64 bytes of EEPROM, providing ample resources for embedded control tasks.

Key Features and Architecture

At the heart of the PIC16F72 lies an 8-bit ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) and a 32x8 general-purpose working register. The microcontroller operates at a maximum frequency of 20 MHz, delivering up to 5 MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second) for efficient real-time processing. Its Harvard architecture separates program and data memory buses, enhancing throughput by allowing concurrent access.

The device integrates multiple peripherals, including a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with 5 channels, enabling precise sensor interfacing. It features three timers: Timer0 (8-bit), Timer1 (16-bit), and Timer2 (8-bit with prescaler and postscaler), which support functions like PWM generation and event counting. Additionally, it includes 2 Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) modules for advanced control applications such as motor driving and power regulation.

Communication and I/O Capabilities

The PIC16F72 supports serial communication via its MSSP (Master Synchronous Serial Port) module, which can be configured for either I2C or SPI protocols, facilitating connectivity with sensors, memories, and other peripherals. With 22 I/O pins, most of which are multiplexed with alternate functions, the microcontroller offers flexibility in system design. These pins are individually programmable with pull-up resistors and interrupt-on-change features.

Robustness and Development Support

Designed for durability, the PIC16F72 operates over a wide voltage range (2.0V to 5.5V) and an industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C), ensuring reliability in harsh environments. It includes power-saving modes like SLEEP and watchdog timer (WDT) for low-power applications. Development is supported by Microchip’s MPLAB X IDE and hardware tools, streamlining code development and debugging.

Applications

This microcontroller is ideal for applications such as motor control, power management systems, automotive subsystems, and home appliances. Its blend of analog and digital peripherals makes it a versatile choice for embedded designers.

ICGOOODFIND: The PIC16F72-I/SP stands out for its balanced performance, peripheral integration, and cost efficiency, serving as a reliable solution for medium-complexity embedded systems.

Keywords: 8-bit Microcontroller, RISC Architecture, ADC Module, CCP Modules, SPDIP Package.