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-----
> From: Robert A. LaBudde [mailto:ral@LCFLTD.COM]
> Sent: Thursday, September 23, 1999 3:35 PM
> To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: 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: ral@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"
> ================================================================
>