Microchip PIC18F4455-I/PT: A Comprehensive Technical Overview
The Microchip PIC18F4455-I/PT stands as a robust and versatile 8-bit microcontroller within the expansive PIC18F family, engineered to deliver high performance for a wide array of embedded control applications. This device integrates a powerful suite of peripherals, making it particularly well-suited for complex tasks in consumer electronics, industrial automation, and USB-enabled systems.
At the core of the PIC18F4455-I/PT lies an enhanced PIC18 architecture with a 16-bit instruction set. Operating at speeds up to 48 MHz, it achieves a performance of 12 MIPS, providing the necessary computational power for real-time processing. The microcontroller features 24 KB of self-read/write capable Flash program memory and 2,048 bytes of RAM, ensuring ample space for application code and data handling. A key attribute is its 256 bytes of EEPROM data memory, which is essential for storing critical parameters that must be retained even after a power cycle.
A defining characteristic of this MCU is its integrated Full-Speed USB 2.0 (12 Mbps) module. This module includes a dedicated USB SIE (Serial Interface Engine), which offloads the communication protocol handling from the CPU, significantly simplifying the development of USB-compliant devices such as data loggers, custom peripherals, and communication gateways.
The peripheral set is exceptionally rich. It includes a 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with up to 13 channels, enabling precise measurement of multiple analog signals. For control applications, it is equipped with two enhanced Capture/Compare/PWM (ECCP) modules and one standard CCP module, providing sophisticated pulse generation and motor control capabilities. Communication is facilitated through multiple serial interfaces: EUSART (for RS-232/485), MSSP (Master Synchronous Serial Port) for SPI and I²C, and a Parallel Slave Port (PSP) for fast 8-bit data exchange with a parallel bus.
The device, offered in a 44-pin TQFP (Thin Quad Flat Pack) package, is designed for efficient PCB space utilization. Its operating voltage ranges from 2.0V to 5.5V, and it boasts a wide operating temperature range, making it resilient in harsh environments. Furthermore, it incorporates advanced features like a programmable Brown-Out Reset (BOR) and a watchdog timer (WDT) for enhanced system reliability.
ICGOODFIND: The PIC18F4455-I/PT is a highly integrated solution that masterfully balances processing capability, a comprehensive peripheral set, and the critical addition of onboard USB functionality. Its architecture is tailored for developers seeking to create sophisticated, connected embedded systems with minimal external components, reducing both design complexity and total system cost.
Keywords: USB 2.0 Microcontroller, Enhanced CCP, 10-bit ADC, PIC18 Architecture, Embedded Control.
