Pass The Torch - Part 2: Memory Analog
In this installment, a comparison will be done between the two devices on memory and analog peripherals. In a later installment, we will consider the extended peripherals of the PIC16F18877.
We recommend the RADIX DUO as the PIC development board for use with the PIC16F18877.
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For every microcontroller, there is a combination of different memory types that work together for the application run.
As shown in the comparison below, the PIC16F18877 is much improved over the PIC16F887. The recommended device has a much higher program capacity, which allows for a much larger code payload to be flashed to the device.
Feature | PIC16F887 | PIC16F18877 |
|---|---|---|
Program Memory | 8192 | 32768 |
EEPROM | 256 | 256 |
SRAM | 368 | 4096 |
- Program Memory 4 x the size
- The EEPROM remains the same
- SRAM is also significantly improved
This section covers the differences between the analog peripherals available between the two devices.
Feature | PIC16F887 | PIC16F18877 |
|---|---|---|
Analog - 10 BIT ADC | 14 Channels | 35 Channels |
DAC | NA | 5 - BIT |
Comparator | 2 | 2 |
The PIC16F18877 has more than double the number of analog input channels. This does improve capacity, however, the practicality of the increased number of channels may only be harnessed effectively based on how and when the analog input is used. There is only one ADC module.
The DAC is only available on the PIC16F18877 and this new peripheral would enhance capability if the upgrade to the application.
The number of comparators between the two devices remains the same.
From this brief, face-value comparison of the two device's basic analog peripherals the PIC16F18877 is offering a number of enhancements over the PIC16F887.
The decision to switch may be premature at this point, however, as we progress through the features comparison the decision being made is more informed.
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