19/04/2022 08:05 TALKING ELECTRONICS PIC Theory Page 33

FROM
PIC16F84
to
PIC16F628
Page 33
INDEX

The most recent chip in the PIC range for experimenters is the PIC16F628. It is an upgraded version
of the PIC16F84 and has all the features of the PIC16F84, plus some extras.
Here are the pinouts of the two chips:

In a nutshell, the PIC16F628 has twice the memory, more than twice the number of files, more than
twice the speed of operation, an extra 3 lines, an inbuilt oscillator (two different frequencies - 32kHz
and 4MHz), a voltage comparator, and other features. All with a price tag lower than the PIC16F84!
Obviously the pressure of competition has created the features and lowered the price to keep the PIC
name on the market, and this is the power of free-enterprise.
The computer industry is proving the power of mass-production, with yearly increases in capability
and reduction in prices.
The same could apply to almost every other facet of manufacture (clothing, medicine, cars, electricity
production) if it were not for the power of cartels and secret deals keeping prices artificially high.
At least we can be proud to be in an expansive industry, that consistently comes up with amazing
devices.
Now we have a dream of a chip to work with.
Some of the slight limitations of the PIC16F84 have been removed and we have a chip with more
memory and more registers than we need.
The built-in 4MHz/32kHz oscillator allows a project to be created without any external components
and the block diagram looks like this:
talkingelectronics.com/pay/PIC/PIC-Page33seeCD.html 1/6
19/04/2022 08:05 TALKING ELECTRONICS PIC Theory Page 33

The chip simplifies to two FULL ports (Port A and Port B) with RA5 an input-only line.
If you program the chip via the "low voltage" mode (LVP), RB4 is not available as an in-out line.
If you are familiar with the PIC16F84, only two slight differences need to be remembered and you will
be able to migrate any of your programs to the new chip.
During the "burn" operation, the PIC16F628 needs to be set up so that the comparator is disabled, the
MCLR line is converted to an input for port A, the LVP bit is set to the desired value and the internal
clock is set to 4MHz.
Once you have done this, the block diagram above represents the chip.
The diagram below compares the PIC16F84 with a PIC16F628:

The diagram below is a virtual picture of the files (Registers) and memory locations in a PIC chip.
Consider the "cells" or "files" or "locations" as one long storage medium.
This is how they would appear:

There are three separate sections in a PIC chip - associated with writing a program.
The top section on the diagram above shows files (or Registers) that hold information that is mainly
generated by the micro, and needs to be stored for its own use. They hold the in/out nature of the
pins, the timer, the actual PortA and PortB lines, the Program Counter, the result of a subtraction etc.
You can alter the bits of some of these files and read the bits of other files, but overall only a small

talkingelectronics.com/pay/PIC/PIC-Page33seeCD.html 2/6
19/04/2022 08:05 TALKING ELECTRONICS PIC Theory Page 33
part of them is used by the programmer (you).
The centre section contains the files used in a program. These files are given "names" or "numbers"
such as: 0C, 0D, 0E, 0F, 10h, 11h etc. They are 8 bits wide and can hold a value from 00 to FF. They
are called temporary storage. They store values such as from an input line and hold it until needed.
The lower section contains the instructions of a Program. The Program is written by YOU. The first
location in memory is called address 000 and for a PIC16F628, there are 2048 locations. The
program uses the files in the centre section.

The only other thing to remember is the location of the files. The location of a file is the same as the
"name" or "number" of the file. In other words file 0C is located at address 0C in the Files section of
the micro. The PIC16F628 has 224 files, located in three different places. We will only be needing one
group of files, located at 20h to 7Fh. These 333444 files are in bank xxx and this is the same bank as
the program. This makes them easily accessible.
96 files in the PIC16F628 are located at 20h to T
xxv files are located at

PROGRAMMING THE PIC16F628

This chip has two programming modes:
Normal Mode: 12-14v on Pin 4
Low Voltage Mode: (LVP) 5v on pin 10.

When burning a chip for the first time, either the low voltage or high voltage mode can be used. An
instruction in your program sets LVP to "0" or "1." If it is set to "1" you can use either re-programming
method, but you lose RB4 as an in-out pin.
The PIC16F628 has a Low Voltage Programming-mode (LVP) for in-circuit programming. In this
mode, the chip can be programmed with 5v on the programming pin (pin 10) instead of 12-14v on Pin
4.
Before deciding on the way you will program the chip, you need to know some of the differences and
limitations.
The PIC16F628 chip is supplied with the LVP bit as "1."
When the LVP bit is "1," RB4/PGM (pin 10) is dedicated to the programming function and is not
available as in-out pin RB4.
The chip will enter programming mode when a HIGH (5v) is placed on RB4/PGM (pin 10). This is
called the "low voltage" or "in-circuit" mode.
This makes the chip "in-circuit" programmable and re-programmable "in-circuit."
If you don't want the "in-circuit programmable" feature, LVP bit must be "0." To make LVP bit "0," the
chip must be programmed via "Normal Mode," using 12-14v on Pin 4. The LVP bit cannot be changed
when programming "in-circuit."
When programming via "Normal Mode," an instruction is available to change the value of LVP.

A Recap:
If you program via the "Normal Mode" (12 - 14v to "activate" the chip - to put it into "program mode"),
you can use all the features of the chip. (Remember RA5 is input-only, so "Port A" is not a "complete
port.")
If you program via "Low Voltage Mode," output line RB4 (pin 10) is not available as you are reserving
the pin for re-programming via LVP.
This is very inconvenient as "Port B" is normally used as a complete 8-line output to drive displays
etc. To have one line missing from the port is like buying a book with 15 pages missing! Port A is
already an incomplete Port, with RA5 as input-only. It would have been much more convenient to put
LVP pin on port A and leave Port B complete! Such are the limitations of life!
If you program a chip for the first time: "normally," you can re-program it "in-circuit" (via the 5v feature)
or re-program it via the "normal" method.
If you program a chip for the first time: "in circuit," you can regain the RB4 as an in-out line by re-
programming it "normally." You cannot regain RB4 as an in-out line by re-programming it "in-circuit."

When a PIC16F628 is programmed in the "high voltage" mode, the chip can be re-programmed in the
high-voltage mode or you can set the LVP bit to "0" so that the chip can be re-programmed "in-circuit"
via the LVP mode. The Low Voltage Programming-mode allows the chip to be re-programmed by
applying 5v on pin 10 (instead of 12-14v on pin 4).
The Multi Chip Programmer "burns" a PIC16F628 in the "high voltage" mode ONLY. You can re-burn
the chip "in-circuit" or in the Multi Chip Programmer, depending on the setting of LVP. The chip comes
with LVP set to "1." This should cover all possibilities.

SETTING THE LVP BIT

A

MIGRATING A PROGRAM FROM A PIC16F84 TO A PIC16F628

Any program written for a PIC16F84 can be converted to suit a PIC16F628.
In fact any program written for a small PIC microcontroller can be converted for a larger version.
The only thing you have to change are the "file-numbers" or "file-names." All the code remains the
same.
The diagram below shows the number of files in each microprocessor and how they align with each
other.

talkingelectronics.com/pay/PIC/PIC-Page33seeCD.html 3/6
19/04/2022 08:05 TALKING ELECTRONICS PIC Theory Page 33

Some files in one micro align with those in another and this is why we have suggested writing
programs using only those files that are common to both processors. This has been the case for the
PIC12C508A. To write program for this chip we have suggested only using files that are common to
the PIC12C508A and PIC16F84. The program is created in the PIC16F84 and when it is operating
perfectly, a PIC12C508A is burnt.
This feature is not possible with the PIC16F628/PIC12C508A as none of the files correspond.
Thus our programming technique only works with a PIC16F84/PIC508A combination.

This chapter involves the process of migrating a program from a PIC16F84 to a PIC16F628.
To convert a program you need to change all the "file-names" or "file-numbers" by adding 20h to each
file. For example, file 0C becomes 2C, file 1E becomes 3E, file 2F becomes 4F etc. Increment
EVERY file by 20h and the conversion is complete.
This means files 0C to 4F in a PIC16F84 program are now converted to 2C to 6F. Save the program
as a PIC16F628 program and the conversion is complete.
The diagram below shows how the files from a PIC12C508A and PIC16F84 are moved to suit a
program for a PIC16F628.

talkingelectronics.com/pay/PIC/PIC-Page33seeCD.html 4/6
19/04/2022 08:05 TALKING ELECTRONICS PIC Theory Page 33

If you want a program to be suitable for both a PIC16F84 and PIC16F628, the only files you should
use in a PIC16F628 are 20h to 4Fh. This allows the program be the "back-ward compatible."
It all sounds very confusing but this is due to the files in each micro being in a different location.

In this section of the PIC Programming Course, we are creating a program for a PIC16F628 and
using files: 20h to 7Fh.
There are three uses for files in a program. They can be used for general-purpose, delays or short-
term storage.
Examples of "general-purpose" use can be found in most sub-routines,
"Short-term" storage uses a set of files to hold display values.
Any file can be used for any purpose and the idea of setting aside a file for a particular purpose is part
of the concepts in the PIC Programming Course.
Using this allocation for a file will remind you of its purpose and help you understand a program when
you are reviewing it at a later date.
The following table is a guide to the uses for the files:

talkingelectronics.com/pay/PIC/PIC-Page33seeCD.html 5/6
19/04/2022 08:05 TALKING ELECTRONICS PIC Theory Page 33

more

NEXT

talkingelectronics.com/pay/PIC/PIC-Page33seeCD.html 6/6