7.1.1 PIC16F1779 Hybrid Power Microcontroller

PIC16F1779 CIP Hybrid Power microcontrollers incorporate up to four digitally enhanced analog PWM controller function blocks into a low-power, 8-bit microcontroller architecture to allow users to tailor features and functions according to application specific needs. Although tightly coupled, the PWM controller functional blocks are built in as Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs), meaning that there is no dependency of the MCU core activity during the operation of the PWM controller functional block.

The tightly coupled system allows users to configure the PWM controller blocks at design time as well as to modify the configurations during run-time. This flexibility can be used in creating nonlinear operating profiles for applications such as programmable power supplies like USB Power delivery DC/DC converters, multi-loop control systems in battery chargers and LED drivers as well as intelligent PMIC devices for embedded systems, supporting proprietary or standardized communication, like PMBus protocols.

The tight engagement between the microcontroller and the digitally enhanced analog PWM controller blocks of the CIP Hybrid Power devices also offers considerably higher transparency of the conversion processes needed for advanced diagnostics and protection to support the ISO 26262 compliant functional safety applications.

The CIP Hybrid Power microcontrollers do not incorporate high-voltage auxiliary supplies or FET drivers. These devices are independent from application specific voltage or power levels and therefore support a very wide range of converter topologies such as Buck, Boost, non-isolated Buck-Boost, SEPIC, ZETA, Flyback, Forward, Two-Switch Forward, Half-Bridge, Full-Bridge, Phase-Shifted Full-Bridge and Resonant Converters.

The flexible PWM output configuration capabilities additionally support synchronous rectification or active clamping circuits when needed, which can be adjusted, modified and enabled or disabled during run time to optimize efficiency. The PWM generator architecture can be set up for single- and multiphase fixed frequency as well as variable frequency operation to also support hysteretic commutation modes like Constant On-Time, Constant Off-Time or Quasi-resonant operation, making these devices well suited for any kind of DC/DC and AC/DC converter or DC/AC inverter application.