PIC16F877A

harrison_c · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 16

Hi guys, I want to order PIC16F877 sample. But I am not sure what is the different between PIC16F877 and PIC16F877A. Actually, I have no experience about microcontroller. I have no idea about PIC16F877A-I/L, PIC16F877A-I/ML, PIC16F877A-I/P and PIC16F877A-I/PT. What are the difference between them? Which one I should get for beginner? Please advise, thank you.

Harrison

newguy · Joined: 24 Jun 2004 Posts: 1907

I think the 16F877 is no longer in production (I think!), and the 877A has replaced it.

The information following the processor part # relates to package and temperature range. The "-I" means industrial temperature range, -40C to +85C. The "/L" means PLCC package, "/ML" means QFN package, "/P" is the 40 pin DIP package, and "/PT" is the TQFP package.

You'll want a package that easily fits into a ZIF (zero insertion force) socket or a solderless breadboard, which is the 40 pin DIP package: 16F877A-I/P.

Edit: you find this type of information in the processor's data sheet. There's usually a section called "packaging information" or "package types" or "ordering information". That's where you'll find an explanation of these codes.

PCM programmer · Joined: 06 Sep 2003 Posts: 21708

You can get the 16F877 from Digikey:
http://catalog.digikey.com/scripts/partsearch.dll?Detail?name=PIC16F877-20%2FP-ND
Digikey has a $25(US) minimum order.

You can get it from Mouser (no minimum order):
http://www.mouser.com/search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=PIC16F877-20%2fPvirtualkey57940000virtualkey579-PIC16F87720P
These are U.S. companies.

Farnell-in-One also has it.
http://export.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=9761373
They won't let me provide a direct link to the product.

If you're a complete newbie, it's best to buy a demo board rather than
attempting to build your own board. Here's a large thread where I
believe all the problems are due to a newbie attempting to make his
own board:
http://www.ccsinfo.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29412

harrison_c · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 16

Thank you. By the way, what is PIC16LF877A?

newguy · Joined: 24 Jun 2004 Posts: 1907

F = 5V part.
LF = low voltage (< 5V) part.

The LF parts will run at 3.3V. Depending on the particular processor, some will run at voltages lower than that.

Edit: The LF parts will also run at 5V too. The only thing to watch for is that the processors can't be run as fast at low voltages as they can at 5V.

treitmey · Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Posts: 1094 Location: Appleton,WI USA

spec page 176.
fig17-1 compaired to 17-2
the 16LF877a works down to a lower voltage.

harrison_c · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 16

Hi PCM Programmer, I know it is much easier if I could buy Development kit. But it is very expensive, it costs $424.00.
Do you know any place I can get it cheaper?

by the way, I am not sure you are talking about this kit, please check it out.
http://www.ccsinfo.com/product_info.php?cPath=45_29&products_id=62#configure

PCM programmer · Joined: 06 Sep 2003 Posts: 21708

I'm not talking about an incredibly expensive kit, I'm just talking about
getting a cheap development board that supports a PIC in the 40 pin
DIP package.

w2drz · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:40 am

PCM programmer · Joined: 06 Sep 2003 Posts: 21708

This thread discusses some issues concerning which development tools
to buy:
http://www.ccsinfo.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26954

harrison_c · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 16

Hi Tom. Once again, I am rookie. How does the job work if without the compiler? or I can get it from somewhere else?

PCM programmer · Joined: 06 Sep 2003 Posts: 21708

There's a CCS compiler demo that works with the 16F877, but it will
only use up to 25% of the available ROM space.
http://www.ccsinfo.com/content.php?page=compdemo
It won't work with the 16F877A. The "A" chip is a different chip
than the "non-A" 16F877 chip.

You need a compiler and a programmer, at a minimum.

Guest · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 3:02 pm

Hi,
You had asked about a low cost development board,
lost in the asking was that you did not have a compiler.

You need to look at the note from PCM programmer,
with his advice on your original question.

From your questions I would think you are a student, if so or not.
My suggestion would be to ask your (teachers or others) for help in forming a group with the same interest learning about digital circuits.
At this time from your questions asked, there is a need to form a study group about how to advance your knowledge and be able to do a group purchase of materials as needed. This would reduce the individual cost to continue your development of the subjects you are asking about.

tom

tojape · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 20 Location: Hungary

Hi, Harrison,
why don't you try Microchip's PICkit 2 44pin demo board for $24, or PICkit 2 DebugExpress for $50, bundled with CCS PCB which may be sufficient to get familiar with MCU-s
The link is:
http://www.microchipdirect.com/productsearch.aspx?Keywords=DV164121

harrison_c · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 16

Hi guys, first of all I am not a student. I graduated from college in Toronto. And there is not a course really focusing on the microcontroller. I only learnt assembly language itself. We didn't use it to control hardware. Actually, I wish there is a course in Toronto about C programming and microcontroller. I am sure I will take it. By the way, I bought and started reading the book, "Embedded C Programming and the Microchip PIC". PIC16F877 is using in the book so that I am thinking to get a development kit or demo board to do experiments. Please advise me that what should I do next? I really like to learn microcontroller as much as possible but I don't know where I should start from. Thank you.

Honford