Post by thread:pic 16c73a/73b and pic 16f873

Can anyone tell me the difference between the 16c73a and 16c73b chips? There specs seem identical, but the 16c73b sells for 1/3 less. Also, is the 16f873 readily available? It seems to be pin-compatible with the 16c73a/b but with a 10-bit ADC. I have been using the 16f84 chips, but now I have an application that needs at least an 8-bit ADC (for a temperature measurement) and I'm also attracted by the 16-bit timer included. Is the serial I/O on these chips useful if I'm implementing a RS-485 multidrop line, or is it redundant? Any help would be appreciated. I'm bewildered by the MicroChip product lines. ================================================================ Robert A. LaBudde, PhD, PAS, Dpl. ACAFS e-mail: spam_OUTralTakeThisOuTlcfltd.com Least Cost Formulations, Ltd. URL: http://lcfltd.com/ 824 Timberlake Drive Tel: 757-467-0954 Virginia Beach, VA 23464-3239 Fax: 757-467-2947 "Vere scire est per causae scire" ================================================================

As far as I can figure out, the B version has the serial transmission bug fixed. Otherwise the same as the A version. Possibly there was a further die shrink also (i.e. in addition to the one going from the 73 to the 73B) and this could be the basis for the proce difference. Either that or they are just trying to phase out the 73A I've been told that the 16F873 will be available in about 3 months & have samples on order. You may however be able to get sample quantities etc. if your supplier has better contacts than mine! - Or if they are already supplying into the US market but not down here. This sort of thing can happen. Richard > {Original Message removed}

At 23:35 22/09/99 -0400, you wrote: >Can anyone tell me the difference between the 16c73a and 16c73b chips? >There specs seem identical, but the 16c73b sells for 1/3 less. The 16C73B is a die shrink (therefore cheaper) and has the BRGH= 1 bug fixed. Otherwise the chips are the same and the 16C73A will be phased out. >Also, is the 16f873 readily available? It seems to be pin-compatible with >the 16c73a/b but with a 10-bit ADC. These babies are some months away and I would suggest the 16F876 will proceed the '873 by some weeks. You may want to get other opinions on this. My point is that if I am right you could be waiting longer than need be as the '876 will do the same job albeit at a slightly higher price. Jim Regards, Jim Robertson NEWFOUND ELECTRONICS ________________________________________ Email: .....newfoundKILLspam@spam@pipeline.com.au http://www.new-elect.com MPLAB compatible PIC programmers. ________________________________________

At 10:35 PM 9/22/99 , you wrote: >Can anyone tell me the difference between the 16c73a and 16c73b chips? >There specs seem identical, but the 16c73b sells for 1/3 less. > >Also, is the 16f873 readily available? It seems to be pin-compatible with >the 16c73a/b but with a 10-bit ADC. > <SNIP> The 73b is a die shrink and bug fix BUT also has a different SPI peripheral. It has the same SPI peripheral as the '77 but the memory map of a '74. Look at the SSPSTAT register definitions of the '74A,'74B and '77 devices. Jerry Merrill jerrymKILLspamtech-tools.com http://www.tech-tools.com FAX: (972) 494-5814 VOICE:(972) 272-9392 TechTools PO Box 462101 Garland, TX 75046-2101

At 02:04 PM 9/23/99 -0500, Jerry wrote: >At 10:35 PM 9/22/99 , you wrote: >>Can anyone tell me the difference between the 16c73a and 16c73b chips? >>There specs seem identical, but the 16c73b sells for 1/3 less. ><SNIP> >The 73b is a die shrink and bug fix BUT also has a different SPI >peripheral. It has the same SPI peripheral as the '77 but the memory map >of a '74. > >Look at the SSPSTAT register definitions of the '74A,'74B and '77 devices. Based on the info everyone has supplied, I've gone ahead an ordered a sample of the 16c73b for development. Thanks to all for the help. ================================================================ Robert A. LaBudde, PhD, PAS, Dpl. ACAFS e-mail: .....ralKILLspam.....lcfltd.com Least Cost Formulations, Ltd. URL: http://lcfltd.com/ 824 Timberlake Drive Tel: 757-467-0954 Virginia Beach, VA 23464-3239 Fax: 757-467-2947 "Vere scire est per causae scire" ================================================================