May I know what's the different between PIC16F628 and PIC16F628A? It seems that the pins layout are completely compatible. I found from Microchip.com that the main different is that PIC16F628 has an interface of USART while PIC16F628A has an interface of AUSART! But what's AUSART? I couldnt find anything abt AUSART from its datasheet! Besides, What's the A in PIC16F628A stands for?
From my experience, It means Mostely that they revised the DIE and they usualy add a little more flexability in the configuration words and sometimes even functionality. Generally they are cheaper than the non "A" version and have been always drop-in and code compatable. That is ,nothing is taken out , or moved and new things ar just added.
well from what ive heard, the 628A is basically a silicon revision of the 628. it uses Flash memory instead of EEPROM. the difference comes in the algorithm for the programming software. the amount of bits that can be written simultaneously using Flash and EEPROM is different. but from a programming viewpoint there is not much of a change
"AUSART" is an abbreviation for "addressable universal synchronous asynchronous receiver transmitter".
It is described in the Micr0chip application note at:
**broken link removed**
A letter following a chip number indicates a revision to the chip - either in functionality or in performance. The basic design fucntions of the chip with the basic number have been retained; however, improvements have been made.