Differences between PIC18 and PIC32 microcontrollers

I search after sites that explain the different the advantage and the disadvantage between microcontroller PIC 18 and microcontroller PIC 32.
I search this information because I need to choose what microcontroller will be prefer to use for my electronic project.

Re: microcontroller PIC

Don't forget the PIC24 as well.

Keith

Re: microcontroller PIC

Keith1200rs, you right, almost I forget it.
I search also information about the comparison to PIC 24.

Re: microcontroller PIC

There is also the dsPIC!

I don't know of any comparisons, although I am sure they exist. I tend to choose my PIC by defining my requirements and then finding the cheapest fit. It is getting confusing though with so many variants, some minor, some major. Also, there are potential upgrade paths from say the PIC24 to the PIC32 which may be beneficial. There is now the new PIC24E but the PIC24H and PIC24J are quite different.

Keith

Re: microcontroller PIC

Re: microcontroller PIC

I am not a PIC expert - I just seem to use them a lot! The PIC16 series are the basic ones best programmed in assembler. The PIC18 are still 8 bit but more suited to C (which I prefer). The PIC24 (16 bit) is quite confusing because while there is the FJ and HJ which are quite different and now the new E version, within the FJ series there are the GA, GB and I think DA versions. The first is the 'general purpose' version. The second has USB and the third has display driving.

The FJ has the 'peripheral pin select' I think it is called. This is supposed to help with the common problem trying to decide where to connect which peripherals such as UART, SPI etc because they can be 'moved' around on the chip. The PIC24HJ is a fast one and has DMA (not sure about the PIC24F). The new PIC24E is even faster and adds USB which the PIC24H doesn't have. The PIC24FJ has some nice low power features and a hardware real time clock. The PIC24H is a bit of a power hungry beast.

The PIC32 is 32 bit and there is a lot of compatibility with the PIC24 meaning you should be able to move a design promote to the other fairly easily.

As I said, I tend to look for the features I need (using Microchip's selection tool) and pick the device for the job. I like the PIC24 range - big enough for some serious work but low power versions where necessary.

KeithJ which are quite different and now the new E version, within the FJ series there are the GA, GB and I think GD versions. The first is the 'general purpose' version. The second has USB and the third has display driving.

The FJ has the 'peripheral pin select' I think it is called. This is supposed to help with the common problem trying to decide where to connect which peripherals such as UART, SPI etc because they can be 'moved' around on the chip. The PIC24HJ is a fast one and has DMA (not sure about the PIC24F). The new PIC24E is even faster and adds USB which the PIC24H doesn't have. The PIC24FJ has some nice low power features and a hardware real time clock. The PIC24H is a bit of a power hungry beast.

The PIC32 is 32 bit and there is a lot of compatibility with the PIC24 meaning you should be able to move a design promote to the other fairly easily.

As I said, I tend to look for the features I need (using Microchip's selection tool) and pick the device for the job. I like the PIC24 range - big enough for some serious work but low power versions where necessary.

Keith

Re: microcontroller PIC

Choose your PIC depending on the features you need.

PIC 10 and PIC 12 are smaller size PICs with 6/8 pins. So, these can be used where you do not need a lot of IO pins. PIC 10 can be used for basic stuff like turning on/off stuff at different times or settings, etc. PIC 12 contains a few more peripherals like ADC, comparator, PWM, etc, depending on which part is used. So, these can be used when a lot of IO pins aren't required, but you might need to use the ADC or comparator, etc.

PIC 16 is a bigger version, starting from 14 pins. They have more RAM, flash, more EEPROM and a lot of them have more peripherals, like I2C, SPI, U(S)ART, ADC, Comparator, multiple timers, PWM, Input Capture, LCD driver, Enhanced PWM, etc. They were initially not designed to be programmed in C or BASIC, but compilers like mikroC, mikroBASIC, Hitech, etc do a good job when writing for these PIC 16 devices.

PIC 18 was designed for C, and devices have more RAM, flash, EEPROM, peripherals (some devices have USB). They are faster than PIC 16 being able to operate upto 40Mhz with some upto 48MHz. One notable difference between PIC18 and PIC16 is that PIC18 has hardware division, which can be very useful in many applications. Then there is the matter of bank switching and page switching, where PIC 18 reduces a lot of hassle. However, if you use C or BASIC, you need not worry about that.

All the above are 8-bit devices.

Then there is PIC24. This is a 16-bit device. keith has elaborated quite a lot on this, so I won't discuss this.

Then there are dsPIC30F and dsPIC33F. They are both DSCs (digital signal controllers) as they have both a DSP (digital signal processor) and a microcontroller in them. Basically, these are needed for high speed applications with relatively large quick computational needs. I am using the dsPIC33 for 3-phase induction motor controller I am developing.

dsPIC30F can be operated at 5v, but dsPIC33F can only be operated at upto 3.6v. This can be a slight problem, but you can overcome that. Then, dsPIC33 does not have 40-pin devices in DIP package. dsPIC30F operates at upto 30MIPS, dsPIC33F upto 40MIPS. dsPIC33F has 3 variations that I know of: the GP series - the one designed for general purpose applications, GS series - the one designed for switching applications (the PWM module is really helpful in designing SMPS), the MC series - the one designed for motor control (the PWM modules are great for controlling motors and are very helpful and quite easy actually).

PIC32 is a 32-bit device, so larger calculations can be done quicker and easier. This is basically all I know of the PIC32.

Of the above, PIC32 is the only one that I have not used so far. I usually only use the PIC12, PIC16 and dsPIC33, omitting PIC10, PIC18, PIC24 and dsPIC30F. I use the PIC12 for low pin count applications. Above that I use PIC16. Where I require high speed and fast calculations, I use dsPIC33F. For general purposes applications requiring above 20 pins, I usually use AVRs instead of PIC18, but that is off-topic.

Hope this helps.
Tahmid.

Re: microcontroller PIC

Re: microcontroller PIC

Yes you can program in C. The compiler you use to write in C converts your C to HEX that can be used to burn PIC16 and PIC12. Check to see if your C compiler supports PIC10. I know that mikroC doesn't support PIC10.

Hope this helps.
Tahmid.

I have corrected my above post - the PIC24 GD I mentioned is really a DA - I knew there was a D in there somewhere (for display).

There is also the MC version for motor control and KA versions - I am not sure what they are for other than they seem to be smaller and with low power consumption. You can get some FJ versions with XLP (low power) as well.

Keith.

jony4u said:

I search after sites that explain the different the advantage and the disadvantage between microcontroller PIC 18 and microcontroller PIC 32.
I search this information because I need to choose what microcontroller will be prefer to use for my electronic project.

Click to expand...

Basic difference is PIC18F a 8bit MC and PIC32 is a 32bit MC. First describe what your project is. Otherwise none can help you.
If your project demands USB Host or High Speed Calculations then go for PIC32. For a simple key pad and char. LCD interfacing PIC32 is overkill. So you have to specify your application or project.!!

Hope you clear what I wrote here.