Designing Embedded Systems with PIC Microcontrollers

CHAPTER 2 Introducing the PIC mid-range family and the 16F84A

In Chapter 1 we introduced embedded systems and surveyed the different PIC microcontroller families that are available, using the 12F508 as an introductory device. We are now going to step up a gear and begin to look at the detail of the PIC ‘mid-range’ family. As an example device we will mainly use the 16F84A. We chose this because compared to most microcontrollers it is small and simple and therefore easy to learn from, even though it is not the most recent device. Six chapters later the focus of study will change to the 16F873A, a larger member of the same family. Note carefully that the ’F84A is an almost direct subset of the ’F873A. Therefore, don't worry if you are more interested ...