Microchip PIC16F723-I/SO 8-Bit Microcontroller Overview and Application Guide

The Microchip PIC16F723-I/SO is a high-performance, 8-bit microcontroller unit (MCU) from Microchip Technology’s extensive PIC® MCU portfolio. Built on an enhanced mid-range core with a 16-level deep hardware stack and 49 instructions, this MCU balances processing power with exceptional power efficiency. Housed in a 28-pin SOIC (Small Outline Integrated Circuit) package, the PIC16F723-I/SO is designed for a wide array of embedded control applications in consumer, industrial, and automotive systems.

Core Architecture and Key Features

At the heart of this MCU is a powerful 8-bit RISC CPU capable of operating at speeds up to 20 MHz, delivering a single instruction cycle execution time of 200 ns. This performance is complemented by a rich set of integrated peripherals, making it a true system-on-chip solution.

Its standout features include:

Enhanced Flash Memory: It boasts 7 KB of self-read/write capable Flash program memory, allowing for flexible in-application firmware updates.

Data Memory: It includes 256 bytes of EEPROM for critical data storage that must be retained even during power loss, and 368 bytes of SRAM.

Analog Capabilities: A 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with up to 11 channels enables precise measurement of analog signals from sensors. It also features two analog comparators for basic threshold detection.

Timing and Control: The device is equipped with two 8-bit timers and one 16-bit timer, along with two Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) modules. These are essential for generating precise timing waveforms, controlling motors (e.g., via Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM)), and measuring external signal timing.

Communication Interfaces: It supports multiple serial communication protocols, including an EUSART (Enhanced Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) for RS-232/RS-485 communication, an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), and an I2C™ (Inter-Integrated Circuit) interface for communicating with other peripherals like sensors, memory chips, and displays.

Robust Operating Characteristics: The device operates over a broad voltage range (2.0V to 5.5V) and an industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C), ensuring reliability in harsh environments.

Application Guide

The integration of these features makes the PIC16F723-I/SO suitable for a vast range of applications. Its low-power management modes (Idle, Sleep) are perfect for battery-operated devices.

Industrial Control: Used in sensor interfaces, actuator control, and small-scale programmable logic controllers (PLCs) due to its robust I/O and communication features.

Consumer Electronics: Ideal for advanced user interfaces, appliance control (e.g., washing machines, coffee makers), and power management systems.

Automotive: Employed in non-critical subsystems like interior lighting control, fan speed regulators, and simple sensor modules.

Motor Control: The CCP modules with PWM make it an excellent choice for controlling small DC and brushless DC (BLDC) fans and motors.

Development Support

Designing with this MCU is streamlined by Microchip’s comprehensive ecosystem. The MPLAB® X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and the free MPLAB XC8 compiler provide a complete software solution. Hardware debugging and programming are supported by tools like the PICkit™ 4 and MPLAB ICD 4.

ICGOODFIND: The Microchip PIC16F723-I/SO stands out as a versatile and highly integrated 8-bit microcontroller. Its potent combination of substantial memory, advanced analog and digital peripherals, and robust communication protocols makes it an exceptional value-engineered solution for designers seeking to create sophisticated and reliable embedded systems with minimal external components.

Keywords: 8-Bit Microcontroller, PIC16F723, Embedded Systems, PWM, I2C/SPI Communication