On Wed, 13 May 1998 00:56:48 -0400, you wrote:
>
>So my gears turned. <squeak>.  If we all cry out in unison, maybe we can get
>Microchip to partner with AD to get a good analog peripheral on their parts.
>MOST of the time, I couple a PIC with a 12 bit ADC.  Time and time again, 8 bits
>is just not enough.  I have a sinking feeling that Microchip knows that it is a
>steep learning curve, and they just put it off for another day.

It all depends on the type of applications - I've only ever *needed*
more than 8 bits on one project. Microchip make their money on
high-volume products, and I doubt there are enough volume applications
that really need 12 bit accuracy.  For volume applications, it is
often cheaper to use 8 bits, with avaraging or external trimming ( to
use the full converter span) to get a result that is 'good enough'.
The test cost & noise problems of integrating a 12 bit A/D would add a
lot to the chip cost. At least MCT parts give 8 *good* bits, unlike
some A/Ds, and they are looking at going to 10 bits on future parts.


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