8-bit PIC Microcontrollers with Integrated LCD - Microchip

Microchip announced six new members of the 8-bit PIC microcontrollers with integrated LCD module, the PIC18F85J90/84J90/83J90 and PIC18F65J90/64J90/63J90. LCD PIC18F Flash Microcontroller are easily adapted for handheld meters, thermostats, power/gas/water metering products and home security. All six LCD microcontrollers are supported by Microchip’s development systems, including MPLAB IDE, MPLAB C18 C Compiler, MPLAB ICD 2 In-Circuit Debugger, and the PICDEM HPC Explorer Board.

The PIC18F85J90 Flash LCD microcontrollers series doubles the amount of Flash and RAM memory over existing 64- and 80-pin family members for cost-effective human-interface applications requiring embedded control, utility meters, including thermostats, and medical instrumentation.

Mitch Obolsky, vice president of the Advanced Microcontroller Architecture Division, said:

Microchip's Flash LCD microcontrollers offer the greatest breadth of LCD segment drivers, package sizes, and integrated features for embedded control applications…

With the PIC18F85J90’s high performance, flexible LCD controller and attractive pricing, engineers are now able to add complex functionality, such as speech playback and LCD contrast dimming, to products that previously could not justify the cost…

The new LCD microcontrollers feature a software-programmable contrast controller, that can can boost the LCD voltage, dim the display, or compensate for environmental elements like temperature and lighting. These features make advanced LCD functionality affordable to a whole new class of embedded display applications. Other key features include an internal oscillator, improved low-voltage performance and more LCD segments on 64-pin devices.

Microchip also provides example applications for the PIC18F85J90 microcontroller family with integrated LCD module, including:

• automotive (dashboard displays)
• industrial (payment systems, water/gas/electric/heat utility meters, gasoline pumps)
• appliance (display/control units on stoves/ovens, microwaves, etc.)
• instrumentation/measurement (medical instruments/monitors, meter reading, handheld terminal/remote reading)
• consumer (programmable thermostats/controls, irrigation control, home security systems, exercise equipment); communications (handset displays)

Highlighted features:

• 8 to 32 Kbytes of self-programming Flash program memory, and up to 2 Kbytes of SRAM
• Enhanced LCD module with four multiplex commons and up to 48 segments driving up to 192 pixels
• High core performance of up to 40 MHz at 3V
• Seven power-managed states, and a 32 kHz to 8 MHz internal oscillator
• 10-bit analog-to-digital converter with up to 12 signal channels and 100k samples-per-second
• MI2C/SPI, EUSART (supports LIN) and AUSART communication protocol support
• Two analog comparators, internal voltage reference, brownout detect and low-voltage detect
• Four timers and two Capture/Compare/PWM Modules

Features of typical PIC LCD Microcontroller (PIC18F85J90 ):

• CPU
  • Up to 10 MIPS Performance
  • C compiler optimized RISC architecture
  • 8×8 Single Cycle Hardware Multiply
• System
  • Internal oscillator support-31 kHz to 8MHz
  • Fail-Safe Clock Monitor- allows safe shutdown if clock fails
  • Watchdog Timer with separate RC oscillator
  • Voltage range; 2.0V to 3.6V
  • LCD Module
  • An integrated LCD driver module, capable of driving 48 segments and 4 commons for LCD display
  • Integrated LCD Voltage Boost Regulator
  • nanoWatt Power Managed Modes
  • Run, Idle and SLEEP modes
• Peripherals
  • Master Synchronous Serial Port supports SPI™ and I2C™ master and slave mode
  • EUSART module including LIN bus support
  • Four Timer Modules
  • Two CCP
• Analog Features
  • 10-bit ADC, 12 channels, 100K samples per second
  • Low Voltage Detection Module
  • Brown-out-Reset Module
  • Two Analog Comparators

Packaging:
The PIC18F85J90/84J90/83J90 are available in 80-pin TQFP packages, while the PIC18F65J90/64J90/63J90 are available in 64-pin TQFP packages.

All six of the PIC18F85J90 LCD microcontrollers are available with pricing starting at $2.37 (10K lot qty).

Further reading: Microchip 8-bit PIC Microcontrollers with Integrated LCD