Microchip PIC16F15345T-I/SS: Core Independent Peripherals and Design Advantages

The Microchip PIC16F15345T-I/SS, a member of the enhanced mid-range PIC16F family, represents a significant leap in embedded control design by leveraging Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) to offload tasks from the CPU, thereby enhancing both performance and power efficiency. This 28-pin SSOP device is engineered for applications requiring robust functionality, real-time responsiveness, and design simplicity.

At the heart of its innovation are CIPs, which are autonomous peripherals capable of operating without CPU intervention. These include:

- Configurable Logic Cells (CLCs) that allow custom logic functions to be implemented in hardware, reducing firmware overhead.

- Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) for precise motor control and power conversion applications.

- Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) enabling flexible pin mapping and simplifying PCB layout.

- Hardware Limit Timers (HLT) providing safety-critical monitoring independently.

These peripherals work in tandem to create highly deterministic and responsive systems. For instance, a CLC can combine inputs from a timer and comparator to generate a output trigger directly, allowing the CPU to remain in a low-power sleep mode until absolutely necessary. This autonomy is crucial for applications like IoT sensors, industrial automation, and consumer electronics where reliability and energy efficiency are paramount.

The design advantages extend beyond autonomy. The PIC16F15345T-I/SS integrates key features such as a 10-bit ADC with Computation (ADC²), which can perform averaging and filtering without CPU cycles, and enhanced communication interfaces (EUSART, I²C, SPI). Its wide operating voltage (1.8V to 5.5V) makes it suitable for battery-powered devices. Moreover, the mTouch capacitive sensing peripheral enables robust touch interfaces with minimal external components.

By reducing CPU workload, the device not only lowers power consumption but also simplifies code development, accelerates time-to-market, and minimizes the risk of software-related failures. This makes it an ideal choice for designers seeking to balance complexity with performance in space-constrained environments.

ICGOOODFIND: The PIC16F15345T-I/SS stands out for its CIP-driven architecture, which enhances real-time performance, reduces power consumption, and simplifies design across a wide range of embedded applications.

Keywords: Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs), Configurable Logic Cells (CLCs), Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), Peripheral Pin Select (PPS), Low Power Operation.