Dave Russell <drussell@unicom.org> wrote:

> Can anyone explain what is new about the FR series of parts such as
> the PIC16FR6X.
>
> I was just curious to know if these are perhaps EEPROM versions of
> the older parts.

They're not, Dave.  You must have missed this explanation that I
posted about two weeks ago:

    The "FR" designation ("Flex-ROM", briefly also called "Fast-ROM"
    by some Microchip employees) is not a product, per se... It'd be
    more accurate to call it a SERVICE.  When you order FR parts, you
    send a copy of your object code to Microchip.  Within a couple of
    weeks, they send you a few thousand PICs already programmed with
    your code (and with a custom silkscreen, if you like).

    This is just like ordering mask-ROM parts, except that the
    minimum order quantity is lower and the price is higher (since
    the PICs they send you are really just OTP parts).  If you've
    ever used Microchip's "SQTP" service, you're already familiar
    with the whole concept... The only difference is that SQTP parts
    were programmed at the factory, while FR parts are programmed by
    Microchip distributors (or, more likely, by an outside contractor
    hired by the distributor).

    I don't personally know anyone who's using FR parts... My
    low-volume clients want the flexibility of OTP parts, while my
    high-volume clients want the low cost of real ROM parts.

    However...

    In order to encourage customers to buy FR parts, I believe that
    Microchip is pricing them BELOW the cost of OTP parts.  This
    brings up an interesting loophole:  What happens if you send them
    the object code for a completely BLANK device?

-Andy

Andrew Warren - fastfwd@ix.netcom.com
Fast Forward Engineering, Vista, California
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/2499