5.1.4 Reset Control
The PIC16F, PIC18F and PIC32CM MCUs manage device resets, which return the MCU to a known initial state, and allow software to identify the source of the reset. These devices support multiple reset sources, including Power-on Reset (POR), Brown-out Detection (BOD), external reset pin, Watchdog Timer (WDT) Reset, and software-initiated reset. They also provide status registers for software to determine the cause of the last reset, supporting robust system recovery and diagnostics. The table below provides a comparison of the features of PIC16F, PIC18F, and PIC32CM.
| Feature/Aspect | PIC16F Reset Control | PIC18F Reset Control | PIC32CM Reset Controller (RSTC/PM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integration | No dedicated module (part of the device configuration) | No dedicated module (part of the device configuration) | Differs per device family: Standalone RSTCTRL peripheral or Integrated in the Power Manager (PM) peripheral |
| Power Reset Sources | Power-on Reset (POR) Brown-out Detector (BOD) | POR, BOD | POR, BOD |
| User Reset Sources | External Reset (MCLR) Watchdog Timer Reset Software Reset | External Reset (MCLR) Watchdog Timer Reset Software Reset | External Reset Watchdog Timer Reset Software Reset System Reset Request CPU Lockup Reset |
| Low-Voltage Detect/Reset | Supported (HLVD in some devices) | Supported (HLVD in some devices) | Supported (BOD/SVM, advanced monitoring) |
| External Reset (MCLR) | External Reset Watchdog Timer Reset Software Reset |
External Reset Watchdog Timer Reset Software Reset Stack Overflow/Underflow Reset | External Reset Watchdog Timer Reset Software Reset System Reset Request CPU Lockup Reset |
| Reset Status Flags | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Reset Timer/Delay | Device Reset Timer (DRT) | DRT | Reset controller with programmable delay |