Microchip PIC16F630T-I/ST: Datasheet, Pinout, and Application Circuits
The Microchip PIC16F630T-I/ST is a powerful 8-bit microcontroller from Microchip Technology's extensive PIC® MCU family. Housed in a compact SOT-23-6 package, this device is engineered for space-constrained, cost-sensitive, and low-power applications. It combines a high-performance RISC CPU with a rich set of peripherals, making it a versatile solution for a wide array of embedded control tasks.
Datasheet Overview
The datasheet for the PIC16F630T-I/ST provides a complete technical reference for designers. Key specifications include:
Architecture: 8-bit RISC with 35 single-word instructions.
Program Memory: 1.75 KB of Flash memory, which is reprogrammable for flexible development.
RAM: 64 bytes and 128 bytes of EEPROM data memory for storing critical variables.
Operating Frequency: Up to 20 MHz, delivering a 200 ns instruction cycle.
Operating Voltage: A wide range from 2.0V to 5.5V, ideal for battery-powered applications.
Low-Power Features: Multiple oscillator options and a standby current in the nanoampere range, enabling ultra-low-power designs.
Peripherals: An integrated analog comparator, a timer module with PWM capability, and a watchdog timer for enhanced reliability.
Pinout Configuration (SOT-23-6)
Understanding the pinout is critical for PCB layout and circuit design. The PIC16F630T-I/ST's six pins are multifunctional:
1. GP5/T1CKI/OSC1/CLKIN: General Purpose I/O, Timer1 clock input, or oscillator input.
2. GP4/AN3/T1G/OSC2/CLKOUT: General Purpose I/O, Analog input, Timer1 gate, or oscillator output.
3. GP3/MCLR/VPP: General Purpose I/O or Master Clear (Reset) input.
4. GP2/AN2/T0CKI/INT/COUT: General Purpose I/O, Analog input, Timer0 clock input, external interrupt, or comparator output.
5. GP1/AN1/ICSPCLK: General Purpose I/O, Analog input, or In-Circuit Serial Programming clock.
6. GP0/AN0/ICSPDAT: General Purpose I/O, Analog input, or In-Circuit Serial Programming data.
This dense pin assignment requires careful planning to maximize the functionality of the limited pins.
Application Circuits
The PIC16F630T-I/ST is a workhorse in simple control systems. Here are two common application circuits:
1. Tactile Switch Debouncer:
A simple yet effective use case is debouncing a mechanical tactile switch. The switch is connected between a GPIO pin (e.g., GP2) and ground, with a pull-up resistor to VDD. The internal weak pull-ups can be enabled to eliminate the external resistor. The firmware detects the button press, implements a software debounce delay, and toggles an output LED connected to another GPIO pin. This demonstrates basic I/O control and firmware timing.
2. Temperature-Actuated Fan Controller:
Leveraging its analog comparator, the PIC16F630 can control a fan based on temperature. A negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor, configured in a voltage divider network, provides a voltage input to the comparator's non-inverting input. A potentiometer sets a reference voltage on the inverting input, representing the temperature threshold. The comparator's output is monitored by the MCU. When the temperature rises (causing the NTC voltage to cross the threshold), the MCU activates a transistor that drives a cooling fan. This circuit showcases the use of analog sensing for real-world control.
ICGOOODFIND
The PIC16F630T-I/ST stands out as an extremely efficient and cost-optimized solution for minimalist embedded designs. Its strength lies in its small form factor, low power consumption, and integrated analog features like the comparator, which reduce the need for external components. While its limited pin count and memory require efficient programming, it remains an excellent choice for applications such as consumer electronics, sensor nodes, motor control, and custom logic replacement. For developers, mastering this MCU provides a solid foundation in optimizing code and hardware for constrained environments.
Keywords: PIC Microcontroller, Low-Power Design, SOT-23-6, Analog Comparator, Embedded Control.
