Hamish,

The document you require is called the "Product Line Card". I am looking at
the 4th quarter 1999 line card now and it lists the following 18 pin
devices as having USART: PIC16F627 & PIC16F628 HOWEVER it also states that
you should contact Microchip for availablity dates. Sorry, I dont know if
these are currently available. You are right about the 28 pin parts there
are many to choose from with USART. Another option may be to use two small
PIC's, with one dedicated as a software USART?

I'm new to the list so please let me know if I'm following all the correct
guidelines and mail setups etc.

Regards, Rob Kennedy
novelmain@compuserve.com (UK)

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Are there are any 18-pin PICs with hardware UARTs? I couldn't find
any by searching Microchip's web site. (I wish MicroChip had a way to
search for devices like Atmel's web site does.)

18-pin is not essential, but the bigger 28 pin devices have a whole
heap of peripherals I don't need -- multiple timers, lots of ADCs etc.
All I need is a basic PIC (like an F84) with a hardware serial port.
(Software serial just isn't doing the trick for me.) Bigger than 18
pin is just excessive for me at present, hence the desire for 18 pin.

Atmel have 20 pin AVRs and 8051s that meet these specs, but I've only
recently spent the time and money to learn PIC, build a programmer etc
so I'd prefer not to jump ship already.


thanks
Hamish<