Brian,

> By the way, it is my job to specify the new PIC devices.  So, if
> there's a PIC you want....
>
> Regards, Brian Boles.                         bboles@microchip.com

We would very much appreciate a 16C84 with the A/D converters put back, or
a 16C71 with EEPROM memory, if you like.

Recently Alex Baker from Microchip UK, told me that the 84 is in fact
selling very well, but despite this there were no plans for new EEPROM
devices (!). The argument was that industry is only interested in
EEPROM data memory and not in EEPROM program memory (so the latter
could be OTP or EPROM). My own impression from talking to PIC users in
industry and research is that we do find EEPROM useful for program
memory. One application is that the processor is first programmed with
a test routine. After the device has been tested, it is reprogrammed
in situ with the production software.  Even though EPROM could also be
used, these would almost certainly be much more expensive (ceramic
package, probably not surface mount).  I know an argument against
EEPROM is that it requires too much chip area, but surely this will
not be a problem as technology improves (and you are able to use your
new 0.6u process for the 16c84).

There is no PIC in your current 16Cxx(x) series that
integrates all of the features desirable for motor control.  If you
could fit the following in an 18-pin package, or at least a slimline
package, here is a priority list of what I would like to have:

1. Small slimline package and EEPROM memory (1k words is OK) (like 16C84)
2. A/D converters (like 16C71)
3. hardware I2C (like 16C64)
4. hardware PWM (like 16C64)

The above is very important. The following are good but not as important:
5. More registers and program memory.
6. D/A converter.

Looking forward to my new processor. Could you tell me when it will be
available? :-)

Cheers,

Martin Nilsson
Swedish Institute of Computer Science    E-mail: mn@sics.se
Box 1263, S-164 28 Kista                 Fax: +46-8-751-7230
Sweden                                   Tel: +46-8-752-1574